means they played less minutes overall. In addition, they didn't play AAU ball ... that adds significant minutes. And ok, they did 2 Olympic teams. Different from Joe Ingles and Gobert playing EVERY year for their national team. Or Doncic playing pro ball as a teenager.
This ESPN expose is really, really good. Kids are ENTERING the NBA having already played so many minutes that they have bodies that look 10-15 years older than they really are. It's why someone like Donovan Mitchell ... who largely played other sports in school ... is so great. He hasn't yet had the abuse that most of these young players have had.
ESPN.comIn part one of a two-part series, ESPN explores the dangers of youth basketball -- and how the culture of perpetual competition is jeopardizing the futures of the very stars it hopes to create.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27125793[https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27125793/these-kids-ticking-bombs-threat-youth-basketball]