Stranger Stats #4: Too Young, Too Simple? Breaking Down the Youngest NBA Records Nobody Wants

Earlier this month, on January 7th, 2026, Ayden Heaven of Manchester United scored an own goal off an unfortunate deflection against Burnley, making him the youngest ever to score an Premier League own goal in Manchester United History, at 19 years and 107 days old.

Moments like this are brutal. It’s not the kind of record anyone wants attached to their name. But at the same time, simply being in position to set it is a testament to a player’s talent: a sign that they were asked and trusted to take on meaningful responsibility at a very young age, even if things didn’t go their way. I think Ayden is having a solid season, and I hope in the future he can grow into an important piece at the back line of Manchester United.

This got me thinking: does the NBA have its own version of such moments?

Sure it does!

Sit back and let Stranger Stats take you on a tour through some youngest record holders for some embarrasing records in NBA history.

Among these, you’ll find future stars who were working through early growth pains, as well as lottery-ticket players that some teams gambled on but were never able to cash in. Did they capitalize on their potential as they matured, or did they eventually become busts? You be the judge!

Youngest To Foul Out

Andris Biedrins

Apr 1, 2005 · Golden State Warriors @ Utah Jazz

6 PF · 20 MIN · Age: 19 years, 4 days

• PTS 6
• REB 8
• AST 0
• TOV 0
• STL 0
• BLK 4
• +/- +2

Dwight Howard

Dec 15, 2004 · Orlando Magic @ San Antonio Spurs

6 PF · 27 MIN · Age: 19 years, 12 days

• PTS 8
• REB 7
• AST 0
• TOV 4
• STL 0
• BLK 2
• +/- -2

Andrew Bynum

Nov 8, 2006 · Los Angeles Lakers @ Portland Trail Blazers

6 PF · 20 MIN · Age: 19 years, 17 days

• PTS 2
• REB 5
• AST 0
• TOV 1
• STL 0
• BLK 1
• +/- +0

Youngest to Record 5 Turnovers

Kobe Bryant

Jan 20, 1997 · Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks

5 TOV · 13 MIN · Age: 18 years, 155 days

• PTS 6
• REB 2
• AST 1
• STL 1
• BLK 0
• +/- -5

Kobe Bryant

Apr 8, 1997 · Los Angeles Lakers @ Golden State Warriors

5 TOV · 24 MIN · Age: 18 years, 233 days

• PTS 24
• REB 2
• AST 3
• STL 1
• BLK 0
• +/- +23

Tracy McGrady

Apr 8, 1998 · Toronto Raptors vs Milwaukee Bucks

5 TOV · 35 MIN · Age: 18 years, 324 days

• PTS 16
• REB 9
• AST 3
• STL 1
• BLK 3
• +/- -12

Youngest to Record 10 Turnovers

Emmanuel Mudiay

Oct 28, 2015 · Denver Nuggets @ Houston Rockets

11 TOV · 37 MIN · Age: 19 years, 241 days

• PTS 17
• REB 5
• AST 9
• STL 0
• BLK 0
• +/- +13

Magic Johnson

Nov 11, 1979 · Los Angeles Lakers vs Cleveland Cavaliers

10 TOV · 34 MIN · Age: 20 years, 94 days

• PTS 24
• REB 16
• AST 12
• STL 3
• BLK 0
• +/- +0

Bernard King

Jan 11, 1978 · New Jersey Nets vs Golden State Warriors

10 TOV · 38 MIN · Age: 21 years, 43 days

• PTS 23
• REB 14
• AST 2
• STL 2
• BLK 1
• +/- +0

Youngest to Miss 20 Shots

John Drew

Oct 18, 1974 · Atlanta Hawks @ Chicago Bulls

13/34 FG · 42 MIN · Age: 20 years, 23 days

• PTS 32
• REB 12
• AST 3
• TOV 0
• STL 4
• BLK 0
• +/- +0

John Drew

Nov 14, 1974 · Atlanta Hawks @ Portland Trail Blazers

10/30 FG · 35 MIN · Age: 20 years, 50 days

• PTS 31
• REB 18
• AST 5
• TOV 0
• STL 2
• BLK 0
• +/- +0

Carmelo Anthony

Nov 4, 2004 · Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves

5/25 FG · 46 MIN · Age: 20 years, 164 days

• PTS 19
• REB 14
• AST 4
• TOV 0
• STL 1
• BLK 0
• +/- +12

Youngest to be Scoreless in 36+ Minutes

Isaac Okoro

Dec 26, 2020 · Cleveland Cavaliers @ Detroit Pistons

0/0 FG · 0 PTS · 41 MIN · Age: 19 years, 339 days

• REB 3
• AST 0
• TOV 2
• STL 1
• BLK 0
• +/- +16

Dragan Bender

Mar 2, 2018 · Phoenix Suns vs Oklahoma City Thunder

0/0 FG · 0 PTS · 36 MIN · Age: 20 years, 110 days

• REB 6
• AST 4
• TOV 1
• STL 0
• BLK 1
• +/- +3

Sasha Vujacic

Apr 20, 2005 · Los Angeles Lakers @ Portland Trail Blazers

0/0 FG · 0 PTS · 38 MIN · Age: 21 years, 48 days

• REB 2
• AST 7
• TOV 1
• STL 0
• BLK 2
• +/- -7