It's 2019. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the dominant forces in soccer, winning nearly every individual award and leading their clubs to title after title. Yet both are in the twilights of their careers, at 31 and 34 years old respectively, and previous heirs to the throne such as Neymar and Gareth Bale haven't come close to filling their boots.

It's the same story for a slew of defensive talent, as Vincent Kompany, Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini are approaching that tricky crossroad as well.

It prompts an obvious question: Who's next? Who will take on the challenge of being the best in soccer?

ESPN FC's experts came up with their list of the 30 best players aged 21 or under (as of May 1, 2019) to figure out who has the best chance of claiming the crown -- and all the trophies -- of the top player in soccer. We ranked the top 10, with the rest in alphabetical order.

Dig in.

Jump to: The Top 10 | Alexander-Arnold | Bailey | Barco | Betancur | Chiesa | De Jong | De Ligt | Dembele | Donnarumma | Felix | Foden | Havertz | Hudson-Odoi | Jovic | Kean | Lainez | Martinez | Mbappe | Militao | Palacios | Paqueta | Pulisic | Rashford | Sancho | Sarr | Tielemans | Tonali | Under | Vinicius | Zaniolo

The top 10

10. Luka Jovic, FW, Eintracht Frankfurt/Serbia
Age: 21
Why he's on the list: The Serbian Luis Suarez, with less bite
Estimated transfer value: €70 million / $78 million

This season's breakout star in the Bundesliga is one of the main reasons Eintracht Frankfurt made it to the semifinals of the Europa League and are in contention to finish in the Champions League places. Jovic, 21, is the most prolific member of the Eagles' superb trio of attackers, alongside Ante Rebic and Sebastian Haller. You can count on one hand the number of players his age who have scored as many goals in Europe's top five leagues.

Jovic isn't particularly strong or fast, but he has a natural feel for making the right moves in the box and a habit for finishing with calm and precision. He's also tenacious, happy to hunt down balls, hassle defenders and create opportunities with his relentless work rate.

What's next? In mid-April, Frankfurt exercised a buy-option to make his two-year loan from Benfica permanent until 2023. The fee was rumoured to be €12m / $13.4m, which is almost indecently low considering his output and market value. Frankfurt could easily sell him for four to five times as much this summer. Barcelona, keen to secure a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez, have been pretty open about their admiration. Jovic's father, Milan, confirmed that the Catalans made an approach to the player. Lately, Real Madrid have made it known that they'd like to explore bringing him to Spain, and Bayern have predictably followed his progress as well. -- Raphael Honigstein

9. Marcus Rashford, FW, Manchester United/England
Age: 21
Why he's on the list: The future at Old Trafford
Estimated transfer value: €114m / $128m

Marcus Rashford is now established as Man United's first-choice forward at the age of 21, having enjoyed a rapid rise to stardom since scoring twice on an unexpected debut as an 18-year-old in February 2016. The Manchester-born player repeated his debut heroics with two goals on his Premier League debut against Arsenal and a goal on his England debut against Australia in May 2016. A product of United's youth system, Rashford is blessed with blistering pace, two quick feet and awareness of those around him. In short, he is a player United will build around.

What's next? United are attempting to negotiate a lucrative long-term contract with Rashford, whose deal expires in June 2020. While Rashford grew up a United fan in Manchester, interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid ensures that the Old Trafford outfit can't assume he'll stay. The odds suggest he will remain for the long-term, but United will need to show they are serious about winning the major trophies again. -- Mark Ogden

8. Gianluigi Donnarumma, GK, Milan/Italy
Age: 20
Why he's on the list: The next Buffon
Estimated transfer value: A new world record for a goalkeeper

It's kind of weird that a 20-year-old feels like he has been around for ages, but he's already in his fourth season at Milan and unsurprisingly ranks as the youngest player to make 100 appearances in Serie A, beating other precocious types such as Gianni Rivera, Paolo Maldini, Roberto Mancini and Francesco Totti. Loads of Italian goalkeepers have been proclaimed the next Gigi Buffon over the years, but Donnarumma is the only one who comes close.

What's next? Donnarumma would have been at PSG if his agent, Mino Raiola, had his way. Unconvinced by Milan's former owners, he thought the Parc des Princes was the right place for his client to develop. Last season, the war around his future unsettled Donnarumma, who, as a Milan fan, wished to stay. It's hard to imagine him moving elsewhere in the near future. Now that Leonardo Bonucci is gone, Donnarumma is Milan's highest-paid player. -- James Horncastle

7. Frenkie de Jong, MF, Ajax/Netherlands
Age: 21
Why he's on the list: The next Cruyff
Estimated transfer value: €75 million / $84m (in January)

De Jong is, quite simply, the most exciting midfielder in world football. He can pass the ball for fun, showing courage in the tightest of spaces, but the extras in his game make him special. His dribbling and acceleration, often from deep areas of the pitch, can completely open a game, as Luka Modric discovered when De Jong famously left him sprawling with one turn and burst of speed during Ajax's majestic win at the Bernabeu in April.

Comparisons to the original Dutch master, Johan Cruyff, are both frequent and inevitable, but perhaps he will prove capable of even more. De Jong has style and guts to match the silk. The frightening thing is that this is surely only the beginning.

What's next? Joining Lionel Messi & Co. In January, Barcelona announced that they had signed him to a five-year contract, which he will begin in July. -- Nick Ames

6. Vinicius Junior, FW, Real Madrid/Brazil
Age: 18
Why he's on the list: The Neymar whom Real wanted when they didn't get Neymar
Estimated transfer value: €140 million / $157m (his buyout clause not public but his market value is gigantic)

Vinicius is phenomenal in the literal sense of the word. Phenomenally good, yes -- that's a decent beginning. He possesses the power and balance of the young (Brazilian) Ronaldo, only his "beat" is the wing (preferably the left) rather than rampaging down the middle of the opponents' half toward the penalty area.

Take away his football prowess, and you'd see that Vinicius is a truly special athlete -- you'd hate to have to face him ... or chase him. Real president Florentino Perez is a massive fan: When the club missed out on signing the current PSG man to Barcelona, Perez started the hunt for the alternative there and then. They succeeded.

What's next: There's no doubt whatsoever that Vinicius is not only committed to Real Madrid but also romantically thrilled to be there. He recently admitted what was an open secret in Spanish football: Barcelona not only courted him but also made a more lucrative offer than the one he accepted from the Bernabeu. Simply put, Vinicius is loving life at Real Madrid. He always wanted to play for them. -- Graham Hunter

5. Kai Havertz, MF, Bayer Leverkusen/Germany
Age: 19
Why he's on the list: The next Mesut Özil
Estimated transfer value: €100m / $112m

Germany's most talented player of his generation has the world at his feet. Havertz is a classic playmaker: the man who brings structure to the centre and feeds attackers with killer passes. There's an effortlessness to his game too. He floats through midfield, evades challenges, calmly distributes the ball and moves up into the box to score. His playing intelligence also allows him to shine in a number of central positions.

What's next? There has been strong interest in the 19-year-old from Chelsea as well as Barcelona, but Bayern are expected to come in the hardest for him. The Bavarians have made no secret of their attempts, but Bayer 04 Leverkusen have little intention of selling him this summer. Ultimately, he could play four to five years in Munich before setting his sights on one of the Spanish or English giants. -- Raphael Honigstein

4. Trent Alexander-Arnold, DF, Liverpool/England
Age: 20
Why he's on the list: The next great two-way English defender
Estimated transfer value: €69m / $77m

The Liverpool right-back, born and raised in the city, has progressed through the club's youth system since he was spotted by local talent scouts at 6 years old. As a schoolboy, Alexander-Arnold's talent was singled out by Steven Gerrard, who in his autobiography described the youngster as a star of the future. Blessed with pace, strength and an athletic physique, Alexander-Arnold has become a key figure in Jurgen Klopp's team. His development the past two years has seen him become a regular in Gareth Southgate's England squad.

What's next? Liverpool have moved quickly to secure Alexander-Arnold to a long-term contract, with the player signing a new deal earlier this year that runs until June 2024. With Liverpool once again a force in English and European football and Alexander-Arnold a self-confessed supporter, having grown up within a short distance of Anfield, it's difficult to envisage him playing anywhere else. -- Mark Ogden

3. Matthijs de Ligt, DF, Ajax/Netherlands
Age: 19
Why he's on the list: The new Maldini
Estimated transfer value: €80m / $90m

The way de Ligt flung himself at the ball to head home Ajax's stunning winner at Juventus in April was reminiscent of a gnarled, uncompromising veteran. But he is only 19, and the surprises do not end there. He is the captain of this remarkable side, a teenager with the physique and mentality of a player who has seen and done it all.

When de Ligt was younger, he excelled at both tennis and hockey; he is an all-rounder on the pitch too, blessed with exceptional technique and a rare knack for leadership. It is virtually impossible to think of a defender with comparable maturity in the modern era -- not to mention an emerging player who simply adores the art of defending.

What's next? De Ligt has always been coy when discussing his future, but earlier this month, local media suggested that he would join Barcelona or Bayern Munich. "We don't talk about players from other teams, although I know where he will play next year," Barca director Guillermo Amor said Tuesday. In Barca language, that tends to mean a deal is in the bag. -- Nick Ames

2. Jadon Sancho, FW, Borussia Dortmund/England
Age: 19
Why he's on the list: Dortmund's latest success story
Estimated transfer value: €114m / $128m

The 19-year-old Londoner was originally spotted by Watford, who had Sancho on their books from the age of 7 before losing him to Manchester City as a 14-year-old. City identified the forward as one of the first players to emerge from their academy, but having grown frustrated by a lack of opportunities at the club, he made the bold move to leave England for Germany by signing for Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2017. Sancho has since taken the Bundesliga by storm, even pushing Pulisic to the subs' bench. The English international's pace down the wing and ability to create chances has made him one of the most sought-after youngsters in Europe.

What's next? It's no surprise that the Premier League's biggest clubs are interested in Sancho, with Manchester United leading the chase to sign the youngster. But it won't be that easy: With Pulisic no longer at Dortmund, the club might be inclined to fight to see Sancho unless they get an offer in the region of €114m / $128m for a player they signed for €9m / $10m less than two years ago. -- Mark Ogden

1. Kylian Mbappé, FW, Paris Saint-Germain/France
Age: 20
Why he's on the list: The future Ballon d'Or winner
Estimated transfer value: €250m / $280m

Mbappé burst onto the scene as a teenager two seasons ago, making a name for himself at Monaco, where he took the Champions League by storm in the second half of the 2016-2017 season. The French prodigy never looked back. He joined PSG in the summer of 2017, like Neymar, and continued his progress in the French capital. He was one of the stars of the 2018 World Cup, which he won with France, and he has been peerless in Ligue 1 this season. He has frightening pace, incredible skills on the ball and is a finisher too. Mbappe plays wide as a winger for France but more as a centre forward for PSG, and his future is probably as a proper No. 9.

What's next? There's no doubt that Mbappé will play for Real Madrid one day. He dreams of wearing their shirt ... but not this summer. The Frenchman will stay in Paris, where he wants to win more trophies and keep improving. But soon, PSG and Ligue 1 will be too small for his oversized talent. -- Julien Laurens

The rest of the top 30

Leon Bailey, FW, Bayer Leverkusen/Jamaica
Age: 21
Why he's on the list: Jamaican football's answer to Usain Bolt
Estimated transfer value: €30m / $34m

A wiry and muscular left winger from Kingston, Bailey tore the Bundesliga apart with goals and assists galore in the first half of the 2017-18 season. On a good day, the 21-year-old's pace and zig-zagging dribbles frighten defenders into submission, but unfortunately, there haven't been that many good days recently. His form tailed off after the winter break 14 months ago, and his performances haven't rebounded, but there's no doubt that there's a real player here. He just needs to rediscover his confidence on the ball and improve his decision-making. The raw talent is undeniable.

What's next? Bayern were encouraged to make an offer last year -- by Bailey's representatives, no less -- but Leverkusen denied it. The transfer never got off the ground. Last summer, there was speculation about a move to Real Madrid. Bailey's age and skill set ensure that he'll remain on plenty of clubs' shortlists, but an indifferent season might prolong his stay in the west of Germany. His lack of a European passport might also be a problem for Premier League teams: He has so far refused to play for the Jamaican national team, which makes it harder to secure a UK work permit under the existing regulations. -- Raphael Honigstein

Ezequiel Barco, MF/FW, Atlanta United FC
Age: 20
Why he's on the list: A fusion of Pablo Aimar and Ariel Ortega
Estimated transfer value: Atlanta United paid Independiente €13m / $15m, will expect to get significant return on investment

Barco is another undersized playmaker, with his low center of gravity and powerful running making him adept at dribbling past defenders. He has an eye for the killer pass as well. He has been deployed mostly on the left wing in his career, though he'll drift into central positions if the space is there. He doesn't lack for confidence, either: As an 18-year-old, he scored a penalty for Independiente in the second leg of the 2017 Copa Sudamericana final against Flamengo to clinch the trophy.

What's next? Barco underwhelmed in his inaugural MLS season. At one point, then-manager Tata Martino suspended him for what the coach described as "an act of indiscipline," with rumors swirling that Barco made romantic overtures toward a teammate's significant other. But Barco has looked sharper and more settled in 2019 under new manager Frank de Boer. If he continues his current form, the transfer rumors will heat up again: Barco reportedly holds an Italian passport and has been linked with La Liga clubs in the past, including Atletico Madrid, who are managed by his compatriot, Diego Simeone. -- Jeff Carlisle

Rodrigo Betancur, MF, Juventus/Uruguay
Age: 21
Why he's on the list: A player born to handle the pressure
Estimated transfer value: €35-40m / $39-45m

Raised in Super Clasicos between Boca Juniors and River Plate, Bentancur grew up sooner than most. The big stage doesn't faze him. Bentancur isn't a fiery Uruguayan in the mould of Luis Suarez or Paolo Montero; rather, he plays with complete control and keeps his head in midfield, which perhaps shouldn't come as a surprise, given that he is from a place called New Switzerland.

Juve haven't seen a young midfielder impose himself this smoothly since Paul Pogba. Betancur is an intelligent runner, with his every move full of purpose, whether drawing opponents away from the ball carrier or opening up passing lanes. Of course, he remains a work in progress, but his ability to do a bit of everything well means he's a useful player in a team whose manager values versatility more than most.

What's next? Bentancur's performances at the 2018 World Cup attracted the attention of Atletico Madrid last summer, but Juventus were in no mood to sell. Another reason they're hesitant is that his former club, Boca Juniors, currently have a clause entitling them to 50 percent of any transfer fee -- Juve are trying to buy that out, though they have no plans to sell, as Betancur will be a big part of the club's rejuvenation in midfield. -- James Horncastle

Federico Chiesa, FW, Fiorentina/Italy
Age: 21
Why he's on the list: Like father, like son
Estimated transfer value: €70m / $78m

As the Italian proverb goes: "Good blood doesn't lie." Federico's dad, Enrico, was one of the most watchable Italian players of the 1990s. Many of his 138 league goals were works of art, and there are echoes of him in his son's game, particularly in the way he strikes the ball. Incidentally, only Cristiano Ronaldo shoots more than Chiesa, who models his electric wing-play on Angel Di Maria.

In a world in which how long you play at high intensity and the number of sprints you make is valued more than ever, Chiesa seems destined for the top. Following him from the stands is exhausting enough; imagine what it must be like for a defender up against him. At 21, Chiesa has more than a 100 top-flight appearances under his belt and has worn the captain's armband, which is a bigger responsibility than most following the tragic death of Davide Astori.

What's next? Fiorentina hope Chiesa will stick around, but he needs to be playing in Europe every year if he is to make the most of his potential. It's anticipated that Chiesa will become the most expensive Italian ever this summer, as he seeks a transfer. Serie A's big three aren't the only ones with the Italy international high on their A list: Liverpool, Man City and Man United are fans and have the firepower to outspend any of Fiorentina's domestic competition. -- James Horncastle

Ousmane Dembele, FW, Barcelona/France
Age: 21
Why he's on the list: The "Mosquito" who can truly replace Messi
Estimated transfer value: €400m / $448m (buyout clause written in his contract)

Barcelona are already planning for who will assume the mantle of "team superstar" after Messi, and Dembele is a candidate. Why? Because there's nobody in football who can receive the ball at his feet, standing still, and accelerate away on a dribble like this guy. It's astonishing, even more so if the opposition let Dembele pick up the ball when already on the run. An additional (and very rare) component of his game is that he's completely ambidextrous, equally prolific with either foot.

Then there's his development at Barcelona, which has been fascinating. Tactically, he's much more mature than most his age, capable of playing either wing and as an inside-forward while learning to track back. Best of all, Messi has taken this mustang under his wing.

What's next? Football is so crazy that it's anyone's guess whether Dembele will play out his long-term contract at the Camp Nou. It's up to him to decide whether he has the nerve to handle the immense pressure at a club that wasn't impressed with him sleeping in and missing training not so long ago. But there's no club in the world that'll be able to pay that buyout clause, and frankly, he has begun to look like he's loving life in this team. -- Graham Hunter

Joao Felix, FW, Benfica
Age: 19
Why he's on the list: The next Cristiano Ronaldo (no, really)
Estimated transfer value: €120m / $134m (release clause)

Joao Felix was reduced to tears upon scoring his hat trick goal in Benfica's Europa League quarterfinal first-leg win over Eintracht Frankfurt in April. It is a feeling that defenders who come up against him are beginning to know well. Comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo might seem clichéd, but evidence suggests they are far from fanciful. The 19-year-old had not played for the Portuguese club's first team before this season but is now undroppable. He has the speed, strength and array of tricks to beat a man from out wide.

His finishing is clinical, but his intelligence sets him apart. He likes to play as a No 10 or as a wide forward tucking in and finding pockets of space, drifting into dangerous areas with ease. His passing is as astute as his sprints are explosive: As a modern, all-around attacker he might well prove a worthy successor to his idol.

What's next? Why not team the old Ronaldo with the new one? That is Juventus' thinking, according to Spanish media reports, and Felix seems to agree. In February, he said he dreamed of playing with the decorated veteran. But the value of his release clause might be too steep for the Bianconeri, and others -- such as Man United, Man City and Real Madrid -- are circling. The smart money is on Juve, though, if a deal can be struck. -- Nick Ames

Phil Foden, MF Manchester City/England
Age: 18
Why he's on the list: The Stockport Iniesta
Estimated transfer value: €114m / $128m

Manchester City have failed to create a successful production line from youth team to first team, but Foden is regarded as the one who will change that and become a key figure for club and country for years to come. They were sure to keep him with the club last season, believing that training daily with the likes of David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and others provides the Stockport-born youngster with the perfect finishing school. It has been working too: His silky ball skills, coupled with his ability to score from midfield, ensure that he is regarded by City's hierarchy as the jewel in the crown of their heavily funded youth system. He even won the FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball after inspiring England to glory in the competition.

What's next? Foden has made almost 30 first-team appearances this season, but most have come from the substitutes' bench. Yet City have no desire to sell or loan Foden. He's on the brink of a major breakthrough, with many at City believing that he will become a key figure in the next 12 months. England manager Gareth Southgate believes that Foden has a huge future on the international stage as the ball-playing midfielder England have lacked for 20 years. -- Mark Ogden

Callum Hudson-Odoi, FW, Chelsea/England
Age: 18
Why he's on the list: A winger with speed and skill like Raheem Sterling
Estimated transfer value: €46m / $51m

The London-born forward can play on the wing or through the middle of the pitch, with his pace, trickery and eye for goal making the 18-year-old an undoubted star of the future. He has played at every level for England except the U21s, from U16s to the full squad, having made his senior debut for Gareth Southgate's team this season.

What's next? The big issue surrounding him is simple: If he doesn't get more first-team action at Chelsea, he'll push to leave. Bayern Munich pushed hard to seal a deal for the teenager in January, but the Chelsea hierarchy held firm and refused to sell. Bayern -- and Manchester United -- are likely to be back in for the player in the summer, so his future could depend upon Sarri, who's insisting that Hudson-Odoi is ready for more after having limited minutes this season. -- Mark Ogden

Moise Kean, FW, Juventus/Italy
Age: 19
Why he's on the list: The "Hurri-Kean" set to lead Juve's attack
Estimated transfer value: €60m / $67m

Kean has been talked about as a top talent for years and scored his first Serie A goal a couple of seasons ago. He played underage at the Under-19 European Championship last summer and lived up to the hype, scoring four goals in five games, including a brace in the final as Italy came back from 2-0 down against Portugal to take their opponents to extra time. Juventus decided against sending him out on loan again this season, believing it'd be better for his development to train every day alongside Ronaldo. Kean's time came in the spring, and he hasn't looked back.

Reductive comparisons have been made to Mario Balotelli -- his idol as a boy -- on the basis that they are black Italian centre-forwards represented by Mino Raiola, but as teammate Giorgio Chiellini pointed out, their way of interpreting the role is completely different. Balotelli likes to come short and has the power to shoot and score from distance. Kean prefers to run in behind and is more of a penalty box striker.

What's next? Chiellini and Bonucci advised Kean to stay in January, when limited game-time had the teenager weighing his options. Milan made inquiries on three occasions, but Juventus never had any intention of letting Kean go. The focus now is to extend his contract on more favourable terms; intriguingly, Kean's rise could push Paulo Dybala out the door. -- James Horncastle

Diego Lainez, FW, Real Betis/Mexico
Age: 18
Why he's on the list: He's the Mexican Messi
Estimated transfer value: €22m / $25m

Lainez is the kind of player who gets you up off your feet in acknowledgement that something special could happen at any moment. Watching the Tabasco native play for Club America's youth teams was a captivating experience. He was head and shoulders above the rest, though not literally: Lainez is just 5-foot-4. A left-footed winger with a low center of gravity, he's likely best on the right-hand side of a front three, cutting onto his strong side.

For all the praise heaped on his on-field attributes, his demeanor off the pitch is equally impressive. Lainez handles himself like a teenager completely at ease and in control of what he is swiftly becoming: a bona fide Mexican national team star.

What's next? Lainez's big and most important move has already happened. The transfer from Club America to Real Betis over the winter came at the right time, just after he helped Las Aguilas win the 2018 Apertura championship. He's exactly where he needs to be; a move elsewhere is unlikely to happen in the next couple of years, but Lainez's goal should be to follow in the footsteps of Hugo Sanchez, Rafa Marquez and Javier Hernandez and one day play at an elite European institution. -- Tom Marshall

Lautaro Martinez, FW, Inter Milan/Argentina
Age: 21
Why he's on the list: From Argentina to Italy, he's the new Batistuta
Estimated transfer value: Signed almost a year ago for €23m / $26m and already worth more

Former Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli flirted with the idea of taking Lautaro Martinez to the 2018 World Cup. In the end, he decided the young striker was not quite ready, but Sampaoli glimpsed the future. He compared Martinez to the great Gabriel Batistuta, and almost a year later, the youngster's progress has shown that Sampaoli's words should not be discounted.

Martinez is an old-fashioned centre-forward: aggressive and physically imposing but also mobile and skillful, a player adept at creating danger in both wide and restricted spaces. He carries himself with a swagger of confidence that has been undented by a debut season in Serie A after leaving Racing for Inter Milan last summer.

What's next? After a successful bedding-in season in Serie A, it will be interesting to see how long Inter can hold on to him. -- Tim Vickery

Eder Militao, DF, Real Madrid/Brazil
Age: 21
Why he's on the list: A strong option to shore up a defense
Estimated transfer value: €50m / $56m

Porto have done it again. In another spectacular success for their business model, they bought a player cheap from South America, developed him and sold him -- in this case, to Real Madrid -- at an immense profit ... all in less than a year.

Eder Militao had only a year's experience in the Sao Paulo first team when Porto brought him across the Atlantic, but they'd been acutely aware of his combination of pace and strapping strength. In Brazil, he had mainly been used at right-back, but the Portuguese club saw a potential centre-back in him. In Brazil, defensive lines often play very deep, and centre-backs do not necessarily need to be quick. The more compact style of European football requires fast defenders, especially on teams that look to spend most of the game in their opponent's half.

What's next? Porto were so successful in developing Militao that Real Madrid have already secured his services beginning next season. There might be some early mistakes -- he is, after all, still something of a rookie -- but if he can ride the repercussions and keep learning, Eder Militao can establish himself in the next great team to grace the Bernabeu. -- Tim Vickery

Exequiel Palacios, MF, River Plate/Argentina
Age: 20
Why he's on the list: Argentina's classy midfield powerhouse
Estimated transfer value: €20m / $23m

A minor leg break has temporarily slowed the meteoric rise of one of the most promising all-around midfielders in the game. A glance at River Plate's vital equaliser in December's historic Copa Libertadores final against Boca Juniors is enough to underline Palacios' potential. He glided into position on the edge of the penalty area, from where he produced a glorious, first-time, back-heeled return ball into the path of Nacho Fernandez, undressing the defence and creating the space for the goal from Lucas Pratto. Dynamism and quality under pressure.

Strong, two-footed and versatile, Palacios has usually filled the position on the left of River's central midfield trio. But it is a mere starting point for him to apply his talents. He can tuck into a more defensive role or bomb forward, link up with the attack and shoot at goal.

What's next? He rejected Real Madrid in January, but once his recovery from injury is complete, he should be able to pick his destination. -- Tim Vickery

Lucas Paqueta, FW, Milan/Brazil
Age: 21
Why he's on the list: Milan's new Kaka
Estimated transfer value: Signed for €35m / $39m at the start of the year, and his value has already increased

In little more than a year, Lucas Paqueta went from not even gaining a place on Flamengo's substitutes bench to becoming the attacking midfield wonderkid on Brazil's standby list for the 2018 World Cup. During that time, under a procession of coaches, he found himself switched around, from centre-forward to winger to deep-lying midfielder to playmaker. The latter would seem to be his best position and played a part in Milan's decision to make a big investment in him back in January 2019.

The instant comparison was with the Kaka deal more than a decade-and-a-half ago. There are differences, of course: Paqueta is left-footed and lacks the explosive surge with the ball that was Kaka's trademark. But Paqueta might have a wider skill set, and his fresh-faced promise brings back memories of Kaka arriving at the San Siro.

What's next? He's unlikely to be on the move for a while, given a fine start to life in Serie A with Milan. -- Tim Vickery

Christian Pulisic, FW, Chelsea
Age: 20
Why he's on the list: The next Eden Hazard
Estimated transfer Value: This past January, Chelsea paid €65m / $73.1m to Borussia Dortmund for Pulisic's services

Pulisic is a small, quick attacking player, capable of beating opponents off the dribble or with a pass. He can finish as well, as witnessed by his 10 goals in 25 appearances for the U.S. He's also versatile, capable of playing on either wing or centrally. His best position has been a matter of some debate in U.S. circles, with many suggesting that he's better off in a central role, though on a team as talented as Chelsea, he's more likely to play out wide. If there's one knock on Pulisic, it's that he has been injury-prone of late, with soft tissue injuries causing him to be sidelined on five occasions in the 2018-19 season.

What's next? Given that Pulisic signed with Chelsea, he's likely to remain in London for the foreseeable future. This is especially true because he'll likely be counted on to replace at least some of the production of Hazard, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid. Chelsea's possible transfer ban could see Pulisic relied upon even more. Yet it was Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp who first brought Pulisic into the Dortmund system, and he has long been an admirer of the American. If for some reason things don't work out for Pulisic at Chelsea, his history with Klopp could provide another option. -- Jeff Carlisle

Ismaila Sarr, FW, Rennes/Senegal
Age: 21
Why he's on the list: The new Sadio Mané
Estimated transfer value: €50m / $56m

Things are going really quickly for Ismaila Sarr, much like how he plays on the pitch. His rise to the top has been dizzying. At 18, in July 2016, he moved to Metz from the Generation Foot academy in Senegal. At 19, in July 2017, he joined Rennes for €20 million after a promising first season in Ligue 1. Now, at 21, he is ready for bigger things.

As early as his first game in France back in August 2016, you could see what a special talent he was going to be. His pace and skill with both feet are out of this world. He is your typical winger. He can dribble past you, find a pass or cross to a teammate. Right now, there aren't many players like him in European football.

What's next? Rennes received offers for him in January and last summer. They have managed to hold on to him, but Sarr could leave this summer when bigger clubs such as Arsenal or Manchester United, both very keen, try to sign him. -- Julien Laurens

Youri Tielemans, MF, Monaco/Belgium
Age: 21
Why he's on the list: The next midfield maestro
Estimated transfer value: €35m / $39m

Since he made his debut for Anderlecht at only 16, Youri Tielemans has been tipped as the next big thing in Belgian football. He is not the tallest or the strongest midfielder, but what made him so special from a young age was his vision and the quality of his passing. Tielemans is very clever -- far more intelligent than your average footballer.

What's next? The Belgian international is on loan at Leicester at the moment, but both he and the club want the move to become permanent. Tielemans is still only 21, and Leicester could be a step toward much bigger things than Monaco. -- Julien Laurens

Sandro Tonali, MF, Brescia/Italy
Age: 19
Why he's on the list: The Pirlo doppelgänger
Estimated transfer value: €35-40m / $39-45m

The swallow V-neck. The mop of long, brown hair. The position in front of the defence. His emergence at Brescia. It's not difficult to see why parallels have been drawn between Tonali and Andrea Pirlo. Like Zaniolo, he was selected for the senior Italy squad before appearing in Serie A, though he is expected to be playing top-flight football next year, either with Brescia or at one of the elite.

He isn't the quickest player, but he is always on the move, head up, looking around, weighing options as receives the ball. He has the vision and precision to play long passes and takes set-pieces. The 18-year-old has tried to shift the narrative from Pirlo, revealing that as a boy he supported Milan and found inspiration in Gennaro Gattuso. Fourth in Serie B for interceptions and fifth for yellow cards, Tonali doesn't snarl around the pitch quite like his idol but tries to do his bit.

What's next? Tonali can have his pick of Italy's elite clubs, as players with his skill set are rare. Juventus are in pole position to sign him, but Inter are also in the mix. Roma were too in the past. Much will depend on the price and the collateral these clubs are prepared to offer. -- James Horncastle

Cengiz Ünder, FW, Roma/Turkey
Age: 21
Why he's on the list: The fastest winger in Serie A
Estimated transfer value: €60m / $67m

Roma's Young Player of the Year last season, Ünder is a blur on the wing. Coaching staff have had to tell him to manage his energy better because he does everything at 100 miles per hour. He needs to improve in tight spaces if he is to thrive at the next level, and he must develop better skills on the ball: he tends to beat defenders to the byline with pace rather than on the dribble.

The Turkey international has a cracking left foot and packs a powerful punch from a low centre of gravity. In his first season at Roma, he caught fire from February onward, and it's a shame that his second campaign has been so disrupted by injury. Nevertheless, he merits his part in the conversation about the best young wingers in Europe, company he keeps with Leroy Sane, Nicolas Pepe and Chiesa.

What's next? Roma headed off fierce competition to sign Ünder from Istanbul Basaksehir 18 months ago, and interest in him has only intensified since. Arsenal rate him, and though he plays on the other flank to fellow target Ivan Perisic, age and resale value are on Ünder's side. If Roma fail to qualify for next season's Champions League, he might consider a move. -- James Horncastle

Nicolo Zaniolo, MF/FW, Roma/Italy
Age: 19
Why he's on the list: The heir to Francesco Totti's throne
Estimated transfer value: €60m / $67m

Zaniolo is a tuttocampista, a box to box midfielder, and at 6-foot-2, the teenager is tough to knock off the ball. Even at that size, he's an effective dribbler and has the timing and awareness to sense when and where a chance is going to appear. Zaniolo starred at the Under-19 European Championships last summer, with his four goals and three assists on the way to the final sufficient for Roberto Mancini to call him up to the senior Italy squad before he'd played a minute in Serie A.

What's next? Zaniolo joined Roma only last summer, and after hopping between Fiorentina, Virtus Entella and Inter -- all of whom are kicking themselves for letting him go -- he needs stability and regular game-time. The Italy international has four years left on his contract, and though he did cause some panic in Rome by replying "we'll see" to a question about his future, the club is confident that he'll accept a new and improved deal to stay beyond this summer. -- James Horncastle

Warwickshire 233 (Sibley 109*) and 42 for 2 trail Hampshire 354 and 302 for 5 dec (Rossouw 76, Soames 62, Northeast 55*) by 382 runs

Warwickshire batsman Dominic Sibley scored his sixth century in successive first-class matches but could not prevent Hampshire taking total control of their Specsavers County Championship match at Edgbaston.

Sibley carried his bat through the Bears' first innings for 109 (263 balls, nine fours) to add another to the three-figure scores he recorded in his previous five first-class games, against Leicestershire, Sussex, Kent, Surrey (for MCC) and Kent again.

The 23-year-old almost single-handedly staved off the follow-on for Warwickshire, but Hampshire will still enter the final day well placed to harvest their second championship win of the season.

They secured a first-innings lead of 121 and then batted aggressively second time round to pile pressure on the injury-ravaged home side. Rilee Rossouw (76 from 46 balls), Oliver Soames (62 on his championship debut) and Sam Northeast (55 not out) enabled Hampshire to declare on 302 for five, setting the beleaguered home side 424 to win.

In 20 overs batting before the close, Warwickshire reached 42 for two, losing openers Sibley and Will Rhodes, and they have a massive rearguard action ahead of them on the final day.

After Warwickshire resumed on the third morning on 184 for 7, they soon lost Henry Brookes, caught at slip off Joe Weatherley. Sibley and Jeetan Patel saw their side past the follow-on figure before Gareth Berg dismissed Patel, caught behind, and bowled Olly Hannon-Dalby.

When Hampshire went in to bat again they showed immediate urgency and openers Soames and Weatherley (46, 75 balls, six sixes) added 102 in 18 overs before Soames pulled Craig Miles to mid-wicket.

Weatherley tickled Brookes leg-side to the wicketkeeper and Tom Alsop (25) was bowled, reverse-sweeping, by Patel, but Rossouw ruthlessly climbed into the struggling attack either side of tea. He struck four sixes and six fours to hurry the lead upwards with the objective of giving Hampshire's bowlers plenty of time to get at the home batting before stumps.

Roussouw skied Hannon-Dalby to deep mid-wicket but, after Liam Dawson fell lbw to Patel, Northeast and Aneurin Donald added a perky 38 from 33 balls to set up an early declaration.

With 20 overs to bat, Warwickshire lost Sibley to the 17th ball of the innings when he edged Kyle Abbot to wicketkeeper Alsop. First-class debutant Rob Yates showed good composure in a high-pressure situation but Will Rhodes chipped Dawson to mid-wicket seven overs before the close.

Durham 273 and 197 (Tongue 5-37) lead Worcestershire 390 (Wessels 118, Whitely 72, Dell 61) by 80 runs

Durham head coach James Franklin told his players they needed to show more resilience after slipping to defeat in each of their first two Championship matches. They were a while ago, and in the meantime Durham were unlucky not to reach the knock-out stages of the Royal London One-Day Cup. He may conclude after this, though, that the message is not yet hitting home.

He defined resilience as the ability to maintain concentration and focus, something they have been able to master for short periods in the 50-over game but appear to find more difficult when the requirement is to stay in that mode for hours rather than minutes.

This match has been a case in point. Had they been able to turn the screw after Riki Wessels was out on the second evening, at which point Worcestershire were 236 for 6, with the new ball about to become available, it might have been a different story.

Instead, they allowed Ross Whiteley and the lower order to plunder runs so effectively that a 37-run deficit turned into a 117-run lead before the last four wickets were prised out. Worcestershire, 321 for 6 overnight, won the morning session comfortably, the innings closing just before lunch with Durham already looking at a draw as their best possible outcome.

But if that were not enough to have a coach shaking his head, they lost the next session comprehensively too, five wickets down before tea and still seven runs in arrears.

Charlie Morris, his tail up after his 6 for 53 in the first innings, struck the first blow, trapping Alex Lees in front with a full delivery, his route back to the pavilion soon followed by Cameron Steel, who looked round at his off stump in some puzzlement at how his forward defence had failed to cover it.

Cameron Bancroft, given the benefit of the doubt on two when Joe Leach was certain he had him leg before, responded aggressively with four quick boundaries, three of them off Ed Barnard in a uncharacteristically loose spell at first change.

It was not long, though, before even the captain was guilty of a lapse, a touch of indecision against Josh Tongue costing him when the ball squirted on to his stumps off an inside edge.

Tongue could do with some luck this year. Successful enough the last two summers to be on the England Lions radar, he has been twice named in winter tour squads only to be forced out by injury, the latest a stress fracture in his left foot that denied him a trip to play Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

That wicket broke a stand worth 49 between Bancroft and Gareth Harte before Harte fell to an excellent piece of work by Ben Cox, standing up to Barnard and executing a leg-side stumping that was so sharp it could have been planned.

Tongue then struck twice more, bowling Ned Eckersley just before tea and finding the edge to have Jack Burnham caught behind just afterwards. Tongue took six wickets in Worcestershire's win at Leicester in their opening match. Ashley Giles, the England director of cricket, was on the ground, and though he was not here on a scouting mission it would have been unusual for him to take no notice of what was happening on the field.

At that moment, the possibility of a three-day result loomed until a fightback of sorts occurred, with Liam Trevaskis, a 20-year-old left-arm spinner who made a half-century in his last Championship outing against Sussex at Chester-le-Street, leading the way.

He could not quite repeat the feat this time, but it took Worcestershire more than two hours to dislodge him for 47, which was the kind of resistance Franklin would doubtless have liked to see a little higher up the order.

Trevaskis was another victim for Tongue, who followed up by yorking Matt Salisbury first ball to finish with 5 for 37. Leach finished things off by having Rushworth caught behind, leaving Worcestershire to chase 81 to win on the last day.

There is a bit of rain in the forecast, but not as much as Durham would like. The defeat, when it is confirmed, will be their fifth in the row in Championship cricket.

Glamorgan 250 and 359 for 1 (Selman 148*, Labuschagne 128*, Hemphrey 58) lead Gloucestershire 463 (Higgins 103) by 146 runs

Nick Selman, with a career best 148 not out, and Marnus Labuschagne (128 not out) racked up big centuries in a second-wicket stand of 226, as Glamorgan made great strides towards rescuing their Specsavers County Championship Division Two match against Gloucestershire at Spytty Park in Newport.

Selman's innings was his first Championship century since he made his previous career-best, 142 not out, against the same opposition at Sophia Gardens in 2017. He shared an opening stand of 133 with Charlie Hemphrey, before Glamorgan reached the close on 359 for 1 in their second innings, a lead of 145.

They had resuming on 241 for 8, 222 runs adrift of Gloucestershire's first-innings 463, with Graham Wagg and Timm van der Gugten effectively becoming Glamorgan's last pair, as captain Chris Cooke was ruled out of the remainder of the match with an ankle injury, sustained whilst batting on the second day.

Wagg, resuming on 45, brought up his half-century from 90 balls, with four fours and one six. But he was dismissed from the next delivery, misfiring an on-drive to short third man off the spin of 20-year old George Drissell, who finished with 4 for 83. Glamorgan were all out for 250, and subsequently followed on with a deficit of 213.

Selman and Hemphrey made a cautious but effective start, reaching 80 without loss before lunch against Gloucestershire's six-man attack.

Selman's half-century came from 91 balls, including six fours as the pair brought up their century stand. Hemphrey reached his half-century soon afterwards, from 107 balls having struck six fours and a six.

The visitors' breakthrough came when Hemphrey was caught behind off left-arm seamer Matt Taylor for 58, but Selman and Labuschagne saw Glamorgan through to 195 for 1 at tea, with Labuschagne reaching his half-century from 70 deliveries just after the interval. Their partnership had gone beyond the century mark as Selman crept into the nineties.

Both batsmen nervously awaited their respective milestones, but it was Labuschagne who raised his bat first, having faced 113 balls, striking 13 fours and two sixes, both of which landed on the adjacent football ground. Selman's innings was more industrious, his century coming four overs later from 208 balls, having struck 10 fours.

With just under five over remaining in the day, Selman and Labuschagne had brought up their 200-run partnership as they looked to capitalise on what is becoming a sizeable lead going into the final day.

Leicestershire 268 and 38 for 0 (Horton 28*) trail Middlesex 349 and 223 (Simpson 59*) by 266 runs

John Simpson's first County Championship half-century for two years kept Middlesex in contention on a riveting third day against Leicestershire at Lord's.

It was 2017 the last time the doughty wicketkeeper reached such heights willow in hand, but here he was at his obdurate best, dragging his side from the mire of 114 for 8 in the wake of superb bowling from Seaxe old boy Chris Wright, who took 3 for 51, and Tom Taylor's 3 for 74. His more than three-hour vigil saw him finish 59 not out and left Leicestershire a target of 305.

However, the Foxes survived unscathed to the close, reaching 38 without loss and raising hopes of a first win for the county at Lord's since 1980.

Leicestershire began the day 257 for 9 in their first innings and added a further 11 before Tom Helm uprooted Wright's off-stump with one which seamed in off the wicket. That gave the hosts a lead of 81, but they were soon in trouble second time around.

Taylor, who only bowled six overs in the first innings because of a back niggle put that pain behind him to have Max Holden taken by Colin Ackermann at slip with just nine on the board.

Sam Robson, who had come out on a king pair, played confidently for a while, but Taylor's impressive spell accounted for him too, a little movement off the seam seeing the former England man edge to wicketkeeper Lewis Hill.

Wright too was then in the action, grabbing the wicket of debutant Tom Lace before lunch, caught at slip.

As in the first innings, Nick Gubbins played with increasing assurance, his cover drive, a thing of beauty, but he was undone during Wright's impressive post-lunch burst, edging one which left him a fraction through to Hill. His departure was the first of three wickets for just three runs as Middlesex faltered.

Skipper Stevie Eskinazi flashed at a loose one from Mohammad Abbas, though it needed a stunning one-handed catch at full stretch by Ackermann to send him on his way.

It was 94 for 6 when Wright struck again, scattering George Scott's stumps with a venomous Yorker.

A brief lull in the procession ended when Taylor found the edge of James Harris' bat to give Hill his sixth catch of the match. Ollie Rayner then prodded Ackermann into the hands of Hasan Azad at short-leg.

At 114 for 8 Stuart Law's men were on the ropes but, not for the first time in Middlesex colours, Simpson answered the call. His efforts relied on staunch support from Helm, who for the second time in the match produced shots belying his place at No. 10 in the order, one off-drive in particular a candidate for shot of the day on his way to 46.

The pair added 85 for the ninth wicket before Helm fell lbw to Ben Mike, but last man Ethan Bamber stayed long enough to see Simpson to his long-awaited landmark and stretch the lead beyond 300.

Hopes of a wicket before the close were thwarted however, with skipper Paul Horton in particular, on 28 not out, suggesting a successful final-day chase is more than possible.

Yorkshire 210 and 469 (Ballance 159, Leaning 69) lead Kent 296 and 34 for 3 (Coad 2-17) by 349 runs

Former England batsman Gary Ballance dominated centre stage for almost six-and-a-half hours to put Yorkshire in total control of their Specsavers County Championship match with Kent in Canterbury.

In ideal batting conditions at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, and on a pitch deadened by third-morning use of the heavy roller, the 29-year-old left-hander hit 25 boundaries in a season's best 159 from 291 balls as Yorkshire amassed 469 for a lead of 383 runs.

In the day's 10 remaining overs, the hosts lost Sean Dickson only eight balls into the reply. Having been hit of the bicep by a fierce no ball bumper from Duanne Olivier, Dickson turned the next delivery to Harry Brook under the helmet at short leg.

In the fifth over, Zak Crawley, on nine, pushed half-forward and outside the line of a Ben Coad off-cutter to go lbw, then in his next over, Coad ripped out the off and leg stumps of Matt Renshaw with another low-bouncing off-cutter to end the Australian Test batsman's final innings of his disappointing Kent stay.

The hosts suffered no further alarms and went in at stumps on 34 for 3 with Daniel Bell-Drummond yet to get off the mark and night watchman Fred Klaassen not out 3. They will require a further 350 for victory on the final day but, with the pitch showing signs of variable bounce, their target already seems highly improbable.

Earlier, Ballance and fourth-wicket partner Jack Leaning batted throughout the morning session without alarm and went on to add 188 in 61 overs either side of lunch with Leaning reaching his 50 from 168 balls and with 10 fours. The stand ended in the mid-session when Leaning, on 69, played across one from Matt Milnes to become only the second leg before victim of the game.

Zimbabe-born Ballance had reached three figures from 196 balls and with 18 fours for his third championship ton of the season following hundreds against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge and Hampshire at The Ageas Bowl, both in April .

It was the 38th hundred of Ballance's first-class career and his fourth in consecutive Championship matches having finished last season's campaign with a century against Worcestershire. Ballance finally succumbed after playing back to a shooting off-cutter from Bell-Drummond that slid down the Canterbury slope to hit near the base of the sumps.

Despite taking the second new ball, Kent still struggled to roll over the Tykes tail and the majority made double-digit contributions.

After tea, Jon Tattersall sparred at a Milnes leg-cutter to be caught behind, Tim Bresnan chopped on when attempting a back-foot force, and three balls later, Steven Patterson perished in near identical fashion.

Dom Bess miscued a short one from Harry Podmore to mid-on and Ben Coad, after a career-best 35, skied to point to give Podmore a second wicket.

Mitchell Claydon finished with 3 for 83 on a day Kent's bowlers will care to forget.

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson is being suspended the first six games of the 2019 season for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy, league sources told ESPN on Thursday.

Details of what Peterson did, and when he did it, remain confidential, as per the NFL's PED policy. But the eight-time Pro Bowl selection dropped his appeal, and the suspension is expected to be officially handed down at some point in the next week, a source told ESPN.

Peterson will miss Arizona's regular-season opener vs. the Lions, then games at Baltimore, at home against the Panthers and Seahawks, at Cincinnati and at home against the Falcons.

He will be eligible to return Oct. 20 at the New York Giants.

Earlier this month, on The Adam Schefter Podcast, Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green called Peterson the best cornerback in the league.

Peterson has started all 128 games since being drafted by the Cardinals in 2011, and his 23 interceptions are tied for third-most in the NFL.

The three-time All-Pro did not report to the Cardinals' voluntarily minicamp last month because he was upset with the team. There has been trade speculation regarding Peterson, but now he is not scheduled to be reinstated until shortly before the NFL's trade deadline.

At his pre-draft news conference last month, Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said he was not concerned about Peterson's absence from this spring's camp.

"It's voluntary," Kingsbury said last month. "I communicated with Patrick. We know where he's at and we know what's going on. Kind of a conversation to keep between ourselves. If he hadn't communicated and we didn't know what was going on, I think that would be a different matter. It is a voluntary camp. We know that Patrick wants to be here and wants to be a part of this team."

Arizona has been aware of Peterson's pending suspension, and the Cardinals used the 33rd overall pick in last month's draft on Washington cornerback Byron Murphy.

Peterson has two years left on his contract and is set to make a base salary of $11 million this season and $12.05 million in 2020. This six-game suspension is set to cost Peterson $3,882,352 in lost wages.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- It's a couple of hours before tipoff at Oracle Arena and Damian Lillard is thinking about pizza.

Sitting courtside ahead of Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors, Lillard points across the court to a spot inside the mostly empty arena.

Section 113, Row 10.

It's where his family had season tickets for a few of the franchise's lean years during Lillard's childhood in East Oakland (the Brookfield neighborhood, to be specific) when his dad, Houston Sr., used to bring Damian and his older brother, Houston Jr., to watch lottery-bound Warriors teams. They were fixtures in those seats; the boys would even walk to the arena when their dad couldn't take them.

"I remember they used to give out the pizzas, like during the timeouts," Lillard says. "Thunder [the Warriors' now-defunct mascot] would come out and they would have boxes of pizza that they would be looking to give out to fans. Me and my brother was there so much that the people recognized us and we was cool with them, so we always ended up getting one of the boxes of pizza. That was what we would eat.

"It was set up, man! It was funny because they knew me and my brother was real fans."

Lillard and his brother had what he recalls as "free run" of the arena, as he notes that security was much more lax in the days before the Warriors became a dynasty. They'd roam the hallways after games, ducking into the media room to grab a hot dog and soda, hanging out between the locker room and parking lot to see the players.

"I met every single player on the team," Lillard says, and he rattles off names from forgettable Golden State teams that averaged 19 wins during the three seasons his family had season tickets. He was a big fan of Antawn Jamison. He mentions Larry Hughes, Bobby Sura, Gilbert Arenas, Mookie Blaylock, Paul McPherson, Troy Murphy, Jason Richardson, Terry Cummings, Vonteego Cummings, Tony Farmer and Adonal Foyle, among others.

"I met all those dudes!" Lillard says, a glimpse of a kid's giddiness in his voice. "I got all their autographs."

Lillard is a bigger name than any of them now, a Rookie of the Year and four-time All-Star whose 37-foot buzzer-beater that eliminated the Oklahoma City Thunder serves as the signature moment of these playoffs. So far.

Now, even as the Portland Trail Blazers trail the West finals 1-0, the Oakland kid has an opportunity to close out Oracle before the Warriors move to San Francisco's Chase Center next season.

"It's a storybook," Lillard says. "Just this being the last year playing in Oakland [and] me growing up here. ... It's a special ending. Hopefully, it'll end the right way for us."

All the Trail Blazers have to do is become the first Western Conference team in five years to eliminate the Warriors from the playoffs. The odds are certainly stacked against Portland and Lillard. However, those who witnessed Lillard's journey from undersized high school kid who couldn't get Division I coaches to give him a look to joining legends such as Bill Russell, Gary Payton and Jason Kidd as the best basketball players the city has produced, have hope.

"The perfect ending to this story is for it to go Game 7," Lillard's Oakland High coach, Orlando Watkins, says. "And the Oakland kid hits a game-winning shot to send the champs reeling out of the playoffs and close down the Oracle."

IN THE MIDDLE of the old Oakland High gym Lillard and Adidas refurbished a few years ago, Watkins stands and recalls the one time he really butted heads with the kid whose retired No. 1 hangs on the wall.

"We're in practice and I'm just like, 'You guys are playing selfish!'" Watkins says. "What Dame heard was, 'You're selfish.'"

Lillard could handle being coached hard -- such as accepting being benched if he was late to study hall -- but this criticism really hit a nerve. He pouted in practice the next couple of days, refusing to shoot the ball during scrimmages to prove his point.

Finally, hours before a game against a crosstown rival during a playoff race, Watkins pulled Lillard aside. The coach told his point guard that he meant that the team as a whole was playing selfishly, not Lillard in particular.

Lillard replied that, as the Wildcats' leader, he took any criticism of the team personally. And he just couldn't stand being considered selfish, of all things.

Watkins laughs about it now, as he goes to work each day in a gym that serves as proof of Lillard's generosity.

Oakland High is the city's oldest high school, having opened in 1869, and much of it is outdated. The gym was, too, until a few years ago, when Lillard and Adidas completely remodeled it, getting rid of the ugly orange paint and replacing it with the school colors of blue and white, replacing the scoreboard, baskets and shot clocks, adding banners and refinishing the floor. They also renovated the weight room, replacing all the equipment, putting in a new floor and painting the walls.

"I'm not here to be exclusive. I don't take pride in being exclusive, like, 'Oh, Dame made it to the NBA.' That's not what it is. I want to be available to the kids to help. They might not listen to their parents, but they'll listen to me."

Damian Lillard

Lillard also paid to install a soundproof recording studio and for state-of-the-art equipment in the classroom where his Hip Hop Club met in high school.

Lillard, who released a rap album as "Dame Dolla," celebrated all the renovations by hosting a rap concert along with Fetty Wap, DJ Esco and Lil Uzi Vert for Oakland High students in the gym. His goal was more to inspire than to entertain.

"I don't have a typical story," Lillard says. "I wasn't a high school phenom. I wasn't a big-time prospect even in the draft before my last year in college. A lot of people notice when you look at stars in the NBA, they come up in it. They've got all the mix tapes on YouTube coming up. They're ranked and all that stuff, so it's kind of like people invest in their careers.

"With my teachers and my coaches, it was more like character and building me as a man from all these people, and they didn't have to do that. And they didn't know. They didn't know that I was going to become this, and they invested in me as a person to allow me to get this far. I know how important it is because of what my route is.

"I know how important it is for people to just -- sometimes you just need somebody to be in your corner."

For Oakland High basketball players, Lillard isn't just a guy who signs an occasional check or made sure they had a shoe sponsorship, as he did for his old AAU program. He isn't just an All-Star whose picture is on the wall. He's one of them, a role model within their reach, whether he's running drills with them during one of his summer workouts at the high school or providing wisdom and advice from afar.

"He's just a perfect storm," Watkins says, as assistant principal Shoshana Towers-Cabrera nods in agreement. "He's all Oakland. It's very nice to have that person that I can point to, but they also know that they can hit him on [Instagram] or hit him on Facebook, and he'll know who they are."

Lillard treats his old neighbors in Brookfield, a small, tough pocket of East Oakland, the same way. His offseason cookouts in the old park -- a place where he used to witness violence and drug deals -- get bigger by the year.

Lillard feeds the whole neighborhood, provides backpacks for kids and pays barbers and hairstylists to get them looking fresh for school. He brings in bounce houses and all sorts of other activities. And he mingles with his people, holding his baby son with one arm and shaking hands and giving half hugs with the other at last year's event.

"I'm not here to be exclusive," Lillard says. "I don't take pride in being exclusive, like, 'Oh, Dame made it to the NBA.' That's not what it is. I want to be available to the kids to help. They might not listen to their parents, but they'll listen to me.

"They'll listen to me when I tell them, 'You don't have to follow what is typical in our city.'"

Lillard has made Portland his home, but Oakland is literally always on his heart. The city's logo -- the tree on street signs that the Warriors used for one of their uniforms this season -- is tattooed across his chest along with "Oakland" in large letters at the top and "Heart of the City" at the bottom. That loyalty shows in how he treats the people from his hometown.

"This is who he is," says agent Aaron Goodwin, a fellow Oakland High alum who has represented Lillard since he was a relatively unknown lottery pick coming out of Weber State. "That's how he was raised. That's how a lot of us from Oakland are.

"You've got to remember where you come from."

FOR THE RECORD, Lillard never planned on trolling the Warriors.

Lillard didn't even know about the massive billboard Hulu bought outside Oracle Arena before it went up earlier this postseason. He found out about it by a flurry of texts from friends and family who saw it while driving down Interstate 880, thrilled to see Lillard's picture looming so large over his hometown.

"If they had asked me, I probably would have said that I'd rather y'all put it outside the Moda Center in Portland," Lillard says. "But it's pretty cool that it's in Oakland. Everybody that I know that has driven past there has sent me a picture of it."

It was quite the creative marketing ploy by Hulu, which blasted a quote attributed to Lillard across the top of the billboard:

"I'D NEVER SELL OUT. EXCEPT TO TELL YOU HULU HAS LIVE SPORTS."

Was Lillard, the All-Star point guard who had pledged his loyalty to the Trail Blazers despite little playoff success, taking a jab at Golden State superstar Kevin Durant? Was Lillard taking a shot at the Warriors for abandoning Oakland after this season to bolt across the Bay for the swanky new arena they're building in San Francisco?

"He's much more respectful than that," Goodwin says. "He wouldn't do anything like that intentionally."

Sure, but the marketing stunt paid off, as the billboard created a viral buzz due in large part to its location.

And there is also plenty of truth in advertising. Ask around Oakland, and it's not hard to find folks who can confirm Lillard would never sell out.

"People from Oakland don't say, 'I'm from the Bay,'" Lillard says. "We say we're from Oakland, because it's not the same.

"We say we're from Oakland, man, and that means something to people. That type of pride."

(Editor's note: Hulu is majority-owned by The Walt Disney Company, which also owns an 80 percent share of ESPN.)

As the specter of superstar transactions this summer hangs over the NBA, many parts of league business take on double meanings.

The lottery affects trades, the draft affects free agency and the playoffs aren't just a competition but a showcase for the future.

These circumstances hang over the Golden State Warriors in particular at the moment. As they navigate the historic challenge of trying to three-peat, the Warriors must simultaneously rally themselves to overcome the injury to Kevin Durant the player while staying on message about Kevin Durant the free agent.

Over an inspiring last nine quarters, the Warriors have relied on their championship experience while utilizing some previously untapped depth. Gone are the isolation and post-up sets that are a big reason Durant has become such a dominating playoff scorer.

It has ushered in the more guard-based flowing offense that has opened the door for Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry to get going while creating chances for players who previously weren't getting minutes, shots or both. In their 22-point victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, the Warriors had just three isolation plays for the entire game, their lowest in a playoff game under coach Steve Kerr.

For the time being, it has brought them a throwback feel that has energized the team. After a season that the team admits was a slog, it has lightened the mood.

But right down the line, from Kerr to the team's veterans, all have been measured in making sure they acknowledge Durant's greatness and value even as they play well without him.

Despite the jaw-dropping stat that they're 28-1 in the past 29 games when Curry plays and Durant doesn't, they are doing their best to snuff out any perception that they can thrive without him.

"I know he's just dying to get out there on the court," Thompson said. "But we definitely feel his energy and can't wait 'til he comes back. We miss him."

"He's important to things we do on both sides of the ball," Draymond Green said. "It's up to everybody to step their game up a couple notches."

"He's been the best player in the NBA in the playoffs," Kerr said. "He's been phenomenal. He's a huge loss."

This is from experience. As they enjoy the current challenge, the Warriors know it's likely they'll hit another rough patch and Durant may be needed to get them out of it. Like when they ran into some issues in their first-round series with the LA Clippers and Durant assembled one of the most impressive stretches of games in his career.

But they also appear conscious that it's not prudent to imply Durant isn't vitally important. Impending free agency is never too far from their minds, and Durant has shown to be sensitive to commentary about himself. When in front of microphones, the Warriors have been nothing but supportive.

"He's the best player in the world," said Quinn Cook, Durant's close friend who has played well in minutes opened by the injury. "He's the greatest teammate you could ever have. We've all taken the challenge to step up to have his back."

The team's front office and ownership had made it known that re-signing Durant is the highest priority. Durant's choice to pass up a max contract offer and leave his options open with a one-year deal has generated a measure of stress throughout the season -- even for Durant, who went on a media hiatus after the New York Knicks made a trade to open salary-cap space with the obvious intention of chasing him in July.

But business is business. Andre Iguodala went through some machinations to create leverage when he was a free agent two years ago. Green has dropped a hint or two about his next contract. It's a part of the game.

In this case it just happens to be a high-stakes part of the game. The Warriors are experts at all aspects, and they have not lost sight of it.

"We miss our guy. He's carried us," Curry said. "We'll be ready for him when he's ready."

Zion Williamson's stepfather says the Duke star is cool with playing for the New Orleans Pelicans if, as expected, they take him with the first pick in June's NBA draft.

"We're excited [about coming to New Orleans]," Lee Anderson told the "Off the Bench" radio show on 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge on Thursday. "We're excited about that."

Anderson answered questions about his stepson's intentions after speculation that Williamson might not want to go to New Orleans, a franchise in flux after star Anthony Davis requested a trade last season.

Although Williamson has not signed with an agent or worked out a shoe deal and could theoretically return for a second year at Duke, the 18-year-old has not publicly even hinted at spurning the draft. In fact, he has said that while he loves Duke, he feels he has to take the next step and leave.

"And you said about returning to Duke ... there has been a lot of speculation, but that is nothing that we have even considered," Anderson said.

Williamson and his family have been in contact with the Pelicans and are planning the next steps with the team.

"I spoke with Coach [Alvin] Gentry the other night [Tuesday] and we met with [vice president of basketball operations] Mr. Griffin, David Griffin, and then I spoke with him again last night [Wednesday]," Anderson said. "We had a great conversation and we're excited about the prospects of coming down there and getting settled and looking for a place to stay and all of these good things."

The Knicks, Cavaliers and Hawks had the best chances to win the NBA draft lottery Tuesday at 14 percent each. But the Pelicans turned their 6 percent chance into the top pick. Many saw Williamson and the Big Apple as a natural fit.

"One thing that Zion has always been taught, you accept the things you can't change, you change the things that you can change, and this is one of the things that he had nothing to do with," Anderson said. "It's the process of the NBA."

Amid the tumult around Davis, the Pelicans went 33-49 last season and missed the playoffs. They were coming off a 48-34 campaign and a loss in the Western Conference semifinals, so high hopes went down the drain. And the Davis saga has still not been resolved. But New Orleans now has the prospect of adding the college player of the year to entice him to stay.

Anderson was asked if Williamson's decision not to sign with an agent or ink a shoe deal meant that the family was leaving open the possibility of a return to school.

"We just feel that there's no real rush to do this right now," he told the radio show. "You don't get many opportunities in life to have the leverage and the opportunity to control your own narrative, so therefore we feel like we are in position right now to do that, and we just want to make sure when we do whatever it is that we do, it's the right decision. ... We just want to make sure we do it right."

Williamson appears to be close to his stepfather, posting a Father's Day message on Instagram last June thanking Anderson for being "there for me since I was 4, teaching me the game I love and showing me how to be a man."