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Who would be the NBA’s finest gamers within the 2021–22 season? Sports activities Illustrated‘s annual High 100 checklist is again, aiming to reply that query.
This 12 months, the rankings have been decided holistically by a panel of NBA writers—Chris Herring, Rohan Nadkarni, Michael Pina and Jeremy Woo—by way of a mix of knowledge and subjective analysis. (So far as the content material of these discussions is worried, take into account the primary rule of Struggle Membership.) The objective stays to guage gamers in a vacuum as a lot as attainable, with out overvaluing crew context in taking inventory of their high quality.
To be clear, these rankings are particularly for the upcoming season and don’t have in mind gamers’ long-term prospects or profession arcs past 2021-22. As has been the custom right here, rookies weren’t thought of. So it’s finest to contemplate these rankings as short-term worth projections. This isn’t a illustration of a participant’s commerce worth or contract worth, and it doesn’t account for the affect of his wage relative to his manufacturing. The opportunity of development or decline are components, tied to gamers’ age and profession stage. The checklist makes an attempt to account for the whole thing of a participant’s affect: offense, protection, structural or in any other case, and tends to favor these with probably the most malleable skill-sets.
Availability because of harm and the following restoration course of are additionally components right here: this 12 months, Kawhi Leonard, Jamal Murray and Klay Thompson have been most affected in that means. The biggest snubs from this year’s list can be found here.
For additional reference, discover SI.com’s High 100 lists from 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014. SI’s Michael Shapiro, Ben Pickman and Wilton Jackson additionally contributed participant profiles to this 12 months’s checklist.
On to the highest 100 …
Graphic by Bryce Wooden/Sports activities Illustrated
100. Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz
The NBA’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year is coming off an excellent 12 months the place he averaged 18.4 factors whereas main the league in bench scoring. Clarkson’s manufacturing as a reserve performed a giant position within the Jazz incomes the No. 1 seed within the West final season. He might be a key to Utah’s title hopes once more this season. — Wilton Jackson
99. Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers
Outdoors of a three-point shot, Zubac checks each field essential for a contemporary massive. On offense, he is an knowledgeable offensive rebounder and a sturdy screener with mushy palms as a roll man. On protection, he is sensible as a rotating massive and he gained’t get bullied by the sport’s greatest behemoths. Zubac is maybe the least flashy participant on our High 100 checklist, however don’t let that detract from his worth in Los Angeles. — Michael Shapiro
98. Larry Nance Jr., Portland Path Blazers
Sturdy forwards with fast palms, springy knees, shifty ft and the understanding of how one can apply these bodily traits into any defensive system are extremely coveted all through the NBA. Nance Jr. succeeded on that front with the Cavaliers final season. This season, the Blazers will admire him as a lot as, or greater than, his former crew did. — Michael Pina
97. Tyrese Haliburton, Sacramento Kings
Haliburton’s rookie season deserved far more love than it acquired. His shot charts are spectacular, even from the harder areas. He shot nicely above 40% from the 2 midrange components of the ground. The following development in his recreation might be to make it to the road a bit extra typically, one thing that may make Haliburton—a 40.9% three-point shooter with a 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio—much more environment friendly than he already is. — Chris Herring
96. Tim Hardaway Jr., Dallas Mavericks
In his third season with the Mavs, Hardaway boasted his highest discipline objective share (.447), two-point share (.524) and factors per recreation (16.6) within the 2020-21 marketing campaign. He additionally notched the second-highest three-point share of his profession. The Mavs might be on the lookout for extra from Hardaway after rewarding him with a four-year, $74 million contract this offseason. — WJ
95. Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
A torn left ACL and meniscus in August 2020 precipitated Isaac to overlook final season, however when out there, he’s one of many league’s most disruptive defenders—in a position to alter photographs, guard a number of positions and provide schematic versatility at 6′ 11″. The Magic hope a wholesome Isaac will proceed evolving as a scorer, with the scale to shoot over defenders and ability to function in several spots. His progress stays a key think about Orlando’s rebuild. — Jeremy Woo
94. Malik Beasley, Minnesota Timberwolves
Beasley leapt to 19.6 factors per recreation in his fifth NBA season final 12 months, showcasing a formidable scoring knack in Minnesota’s younger core. He buried 39.9% of threes as his makes an attempt almost doubled in comparison with 2019-20, and he continues to be a dynamic athlete with a fast first step. Beasley’s explosion as a driver is vital in Minnesota. — MS
93. Derrick White, San Antonio Spurs
White can perform a little little bit of every part and is reliable throughout the board, however drawing costs is the one ability he actually excels at. Nonetheless, floor-raising manufacturing is all the time welcome, particularly when it comes off a season when the topic’s three-point charge greater than doubled from what it was two years in the past. For now, White could make San Antonio’s rebuild much less bumpy than it’d in any other case be, although his all-around reliable play might be even higher utilized in a extra aggressive scenario. — MP
92. Norman Powell, Portland Path Blazers
After growing into an integral a part of Toronto’s rotation, Powell was dealt to Portland mid-season final March. The 27-year-old versatile wing averaged 17 factors in a career-high 34.4 minutes per recreation in 27 appearances with the Path Blazers. How Portland’s backcourt appears in upcoming seasons is actually among the many greatest questions within the NBA, however contemplating Powell inked a five-year, $90 million deal this offseason, he would determine to play a large position of their rotation. — BP
91. Evan Fournier, New York Knicks
Fournier averaged 17.1 factors on 41.3% capturing for 3 final season in stints with the Magic and Celtics. Regardless of his offensive prowess, the 28-year-old guard was hunted by the Nets on protection within the postseason. Now with the Knicks, Fournier will look to have his slashing capacity mesh with Kemba Walker, R.J. Barrett, Julius Randle and Derrick Rose and help New York reach its second straight postseason for the primary time because the early 2010s. — BP
90. Jae Crowder, Phoenix Suns
Each NBA crew wants a participant like Crowder—a veteran chief and defensive anchor who handles the small hustle performs that don’t all the time present up within the stat sheet to assist groups win. Heading into his second season with the Suns, Crowder nonetheless has lots to supply to a younger crew trying to get again to the Finals. — WJ
89. Derrick Rose, New York Knicks
Rose has reinvented himself as one of many league’s prime reserves, offering a guiding hand and artful scoring for a stunning Knicks crew. Whereas now not lightning-quick, he’s one of many NBA’s prime midrange scorers along with his deep bag of runners and skillful ending strikes having endured. The 32-year-old Rose can also be a legit catch-and-shoot risk, making a career-best 38% from three final season. Accidents scuttled his prime, however his resurgence as an elite position participant has been outstanding. — JW
Jesse Johnson/USA TODAY Sports activities
88. Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors
Wiggins won’t ever dwell as much as the expectations of the No. 1 choose, however he continued to develop as an efficient two-way wing with Golden State in 2020-21. Final season marked probably the most engaged defensive season of Wiggins’s profession, and he paired his defensive excellence with a stable 48% from the sector and 38% from three. Whereas he isn’t precisely an ideal match for the Warriors’ pristine ball motion, he’s turn into much less of a black gap within the Bay Space, too. — MS
87. Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
Jackson Jr. performed in simply 11 video games for the Grizzlies final season after rehabbing a torn meniscus in his left knee and appeared to by no means get his capturing legs below him. He linked on a career-low 28.3% of his three-point appears, down from 39.4% the 12 months earlier than. Nonetheless, when wholesome, Jackson Jr. stays one of many league’s most promising younger bigs and a really perfect pick-and-roll accomplice with Ja Morant. He’s proven flashes of star potential all through his profession, and at simply 22 years previous, he appears due for a breakout 12 months prior to later. — BP
86. Jonas Valančiūnas, New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans massive man is perhaps probably the most punishing rebound pressure within the NBA. He’s coming off a profession 12 months in Memphis, the place he made defenses pay for sliding over to cease Ja Morant by immediately tipping home the acrobatic guard’s short-range misses. The match subsequent to Williamson—good or dangerous—will go a great distance towards figuring out how New Orleans does this season. — CH
85. Duncan Robinson, Miami Warmth
Robinson’s mark from three dipped to 40.8% final season from a 44.6% mark in 2019-20, however the undrafted forward remains a key cog in Miami’s assault. Robinson is a technician as he curls into wing triples or fades into the nook. He’s changing into more and more artful when crowded by defenders, creating house with a single exhausting dribble. Robinson is an ideal complement to Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo’s work contained in the arc. —MS
84. Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies
You’d be exhausting pressed to seek out somebody who battles more durable on protection than Brooks. For all of the dividends that pays, although, it additionally has its drawbacks. Brooks logged 5 fouls or extra a league-high 21 occasions final season. (The following closest guard or ahead within the NBA did that simply 13 occasions.) The following step in his development is to have fewer wild swings from one recreation to the following. He’s too gifted to be this inconsistent nonetheless. — CH
83. Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers
It is going to be attention-grabbing to see how Allen, one of many recreation’s premier two-way facilities, suits into Cleveland’s crowded frontcourt rotation this season. However Allen will presumably play a giant position for the Cavaliers, considering they doled out a five-year, $100 million deal to him this offseason. Final 12 months, Allen averaged career-highs in factors (12.8 per recreation) and rebounds (10 per recreation) after coming over from the Nets and was among the many league-leaders in discipline objective share and blocks as nicely. — BP
82: Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks
By now, Milwaukee is aware of exactly what to anticipate out of Lopez every year: 12 factors, about 5 boards, and a block or two per recreation, on a three-point share that ranges from the low-to-mid 30s. Between that and what he does because the anchor in Milwaukee’s drop protection, it’s the stuff of champions. So was his unimaginable 33-point exhibiting versus Atlanta in Recreation 5 of the convention finals, with out an injured Giannis. —CH
81. Seth Curry, Philadelphia 76ers
Curry is extensively regarded for his three-point capturing prowess, however he additionally continues to say himself as a stable playmaker for the Sixers. Final 12 months, his 2.7 assists per recreation have been tied for the very best mark in his profession. Whereas Ben Simmons’s future with Philadelphia has created some questions as to what the franchise’s backcourt will seem like long-term, Curry would seem like a seamless match subsequent to whoever else is on the court docket with him. — BP
80. Robert Covington, Portland Path Blazers
Portland’s ahead sports activities arguably the very best weak-side instincts in basketball as he enters his ninth NBA season. Covington is the king of sliding over within the lane and swatting photographs as a assist defender, and that ability interprets on the perimeter as Covington racks up steals. He’s pressured no less than 2.5 turnovers per recreation since 2016-17, together with an astounding 3.8 in a brief stint in Houston in 2019-20. Add in a 37.9% mark from three final 12 months, and Covington stands as one of many league’s prime 3-and-D gamers. —MS
79. Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings
Hield sports activities one elite ability, one thing he’s used to punish defenses again and again in his first 5 NBA seasons. The Oklahoma product has canned 1,155 threes by way of 5 years, a mark handed by solely Steph Curry, James Harden and Damian Lillard. Hield has by no means shot worse than 39.1% from three in a season. As Sacramento appears to snap a 15-year playoff drought in 2021-22, Hield’s marksmanship might swing its season. — MS
78. Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets
Two years in the past Rozier was an inefficient, cat-quick combo guard whose absolute pie-in-the-sky, best-case state of affairs was touchdown on somebody’s Sixth Man of the Yr poll. He has exceeded these expectations and has a brand-new $97 million extension to indicate for it. If the three-point capturing continues (he’s made 39.6% of them on a really excessive quantity in Charlotte), and he’s in a position to wreak as a lot havoc within the paint as he did final 12 months, there gained’t be 10 guards more durable to corral on the perimeter than Rozier this season. — MP
John W. McDonough/Sports activities Illustrated
77. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
The 2020 No. 1 choose faced a predictably steep learning curve upon arrival however proved to be a fast learner. Boasting elite-level athletic presents, Edwards averaged 23.8 factors on 56.7% true capturing after the All-Star break (up from 14.9 factors and 46.6% TS). If that newfound effectivity stage holds fixed, Edwards might be on the quick observe as one of many league’s most prolific scorers. He has work to do defensively, the place his consideration span and energy wax and wane, regardless of fast ft and powerful palms that would ultimately make him a standout. Edwards might rocket up this checklist as his development continues. — JW
76. Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls
There’s all the time been some dissonance between Lonzo-as-concept and the position that most accurately fits him, as he joins his third crew in 5 seasons. Ball has made huge strides as a soar shooter, making a career-best 37.8% of threes on greater than eight makes an attempt per recreation final season. Whereas nonetheless streaky, that risk permits him to play an unorthodox combo position: He’s restricted taking part in off the dribble, however extra harmful functioning alongside ball-dominant creators. The Bulls are gambling that Ball will assist unlock their new-look roster, where he’ll support Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, taking part in on to his strengths. — JW
75. Spencer Dinwiddie, Washington Wizards
Dinwiddie logged simply three video games in 2020-21, but when wholesome, Bradley Beal’s new co-star might mount a sneaky All-Star marketing campaign this season. Dinwiddie is a mature level guard who excels at snaking round defenses within the pick-and-roll, patiently probing defenses. He can spend stretches with a contact of tunnel imaginative and prescient as a ball-handler, eschewing exterior choices as he works his means right into a mid-range jumper. But for a Washington crew aching for shot creation, Dinwiddie ought to add a much-needed increase. — MS
74. Bojan Bogdanovic, Utah Jazz
In Might of 2020, season-ending surgical procedure on Bogdanovic’s proper wrist knocked the veteran ahead out for Utah’s bubble run, proving a significant loss for the Jazz. Final season, Bogdanovic returned and additional proved his price, serving as each a dependable shooter and more-than-capable on-ball creator. Towards the top of the common season when Donovan Mitchell went down with an ankle harm, Bogdanovic thrived, averaging 22.8 factors over the common season’s last 16 video games. — BP
73. Dejounte Murray, San Antonio Spurs
Murray’s first full season running Gregg Popovich’s offense was a modest success, stuffed with sufficient delicate steps in the suitable path that make it O.Ok. to be cautiously optimistic about his three-point shot—which has but to tick up fairly like his lengthy twos and free throws have. Even with out ideally suited vary on his jumper, there nonetheless aren’t very many ground generals in all the league who affect each side of the sport fairly like Murray does. — MP
72. Joe Harris, Brooklyn Nets
One of many recreation’s premier long-range shooters, Harris led the NBA in three-point share for the second time in three seasons in 2021, changing on 47.5% of his makes an attempt. A lot of his success, although, was overshadowed by his struggles in opposition to the Bucks within the Japanese Convention semifinals, which noticed him shoot simply 24.2% from three within the collection’ last 5 video games. That chilly streak apart, Harris is a marksman and poised for an additional stellar season alongside the Nets’ Large Three. — BP
71. Collin Sexton, Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland’s level guard is among the NBA’s most polarizing gamers. A peek at Sexton’s counting stats suggests a star within the making, with the Alabama product averaging 24.3 factors per recreation final season on 37.1 % from three. But Sexton shot simply 40.6% on all pull-up makes an attempt final 12 months, a mark that dipped to 31.3% from past the arc. Sexton is a robust scorer with spectacular athletic capacity. However in the end, Sexton’s NBA future could also be as a top quality second choice moderately than a real main man. — MS
70. Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
Turner has an argument as the sport’s premier shot blocker, main all gamers in 2020-21 with 3.4 blocks per recreation. Offensively, he’s stable each as a spacer and a roll risk. Turner averaged a career-high 4.4 threes per recreation final season, and he’s shot a snug 35.4% from past the arc since his second season in 2016-17. There’s a excessive ground to Turner’s recreation, a bankable nightly field rating. — MS
Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports activities
69. Kemba Walker, New York Knicks
Whereas Walker performed in solely 43 video games final season and has not performed in a full 82-game season because the 2018-19 marketing campaign, the Knicks could surely use his experience on offense in addition to his capacity to function a risk from the perimeter. Walker has averaged 19 factors, greater than 4 assists and three or extra made three-pointers per recreation in every of his final 5 seasons. — WJ
68. Joe Ingles, Utah Jazz
The Australian swingman produces excess of his 12.1 factors and 4.7 assists per recreation recreation would counsel, serving as Utah’s secondary ball-handler, spot-up shooter and, previous to final season, resident iron man. Ingles shot a blistering 45.1 % from three final season. He’s a nightmare for defenses off the bounce regardless of his underwhelming construct, pinging passes to open shooters with ease off every hand.— MS
67. Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings
His scoring numbers are down some. And he flies far beneath the radar taking part in in Sacramento. However make no mistake: Barnes’s well-rounded recreation has solely improved through the years. The 29-year-old continues to be a stable defender, and his efficient discipline objective charge and true capturing share this previous 12 months have been each career-bests. Along with his low utilization, Barnes would assist any contender, which is why his identify consistently comes up in commerce rumors. — CH
66. Christian Wooden, Houston Rockets
Wooden averaged 21 factors per recreation final season on a crisp 51.4% from the sector and 37.4% from three. He’s decisive and managed off the bounce, in a position to dance previous opposing facilities who try to stick with him on the perimeter. Sag too far, and he can bury a triple from atop the important thing. Wooden nonetheless isn’t an affect defender and he’ll by no means be confused with a facilitating ahead. But the offensive expertise is simply too nice to disregard. — MS
65. Jusuf Nurkić, Portland Path Blazers
The good model of Nurkić we noticed within the 2020 bubble wasn’t fairly what the Blazers obtained final season, and a fractured wrist restricted him to only 37 video games. When absolutely wholesome, Nurkić stays one of many higher conventional facilities within the league: He can bodily dominate house along with his heft, he’s a artistic passer and harmful screener, and he strikes his ft nicely defensively for his dimension. He nonetheless doesn’t shoot threes. However at his finest, he’s one of many extra helpful bigs round. — JW
64. Bogdan Bogdanovic, Atlanta Hawks
Bogdanovic is a swiss-army-knife piece who can fill any gap in Atlanta’s assault. He shot 45.5% from three after March 1, and he’s a artful and bodily attacker off the bounce when groups (rightfully) try to dash him off the road. Bogdanovic positioned a scare into the Bucks within the Japanese Convention finals, tallying 68 factors in his last three video games on 15-35 from three. The Hawks don’t essentially need to be the Trae Younger Present to win within the postseason. A sizzling stretch from his backcourt accomplice might very nicely swing a collection subsequent spring. — MS
Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports activities
63. Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets
Gordon discovered nirvana as a job participant for the Nuggets. After his tenure with the Magic revealed his limitations as a number one man, Gordon was thriving taking part in off Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. His athleticism lends itself nicely to random offense and powerful perimeter protection. So long as Gordon isn’t being requested to do an excessive amount of, he can present critical worth to any contender within the league. — RN
62. Caris LeVert, Indiana Pacers
Even when he’s barely miscast as a real No. 1 choice, LeVert is a gifted participant who can reliably create on offense. LeVert’s cancer scare disrupted what was a profitable season for him on the court docket, the place he averaged over 20 factors for the primary time in his profession. Now 27 years previous, LeVert ought to be firmly within the prime of his profession. — RN
61. D’Angelo Russell, Minnesota Timberwolves
Russell has come down a bit from the excessive of his 2019 All-Star season with the Nets, notably after accidents zapped a lot of his effectiveness in his most up-to-date marketing campaign with the Wolves. Russell’s partnership with Karl-Anthony Cities could be very promising, however protection and effectivity stay query marks for him transferring ahead. — RN
60. Marcus Sensible, Boston Celtics
Sensible is usually acknowledged because the Celtics’ coronary heart and soul, a feisty, protean guard who shares the psychology of an out of doors linebacker. If the work is soiled, Sensible gained’t thoughts sticking his face in it. Now getting into his prime with an out of doors shot that is still up and down from 12 months to 12 months, Sensible’s bodily tenacity (and comparatively unnoticed playmaking chops) nonetheless endears him to teammates and coaches, even when he’s a bit too overzealous with the jumper. — MP
59. OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors
Anunoby is greater than the one who claimed to introduce Serge Ibaka to scarves. He’s the dream modern-day wing. He’s rangy, can defend a number of positions, and he’s a profession 37.5% shooter from three. With Kyle Lowry out of Toronto, Anunoby could also be requested to tackle a much bigger position for the Raptors this season. Up to now, he’s delivered at any time when given the chance. — RN
58. Kristaps Porziņģis, Dallas Mavericks
It’s nearly too straightforward to overreact to Porziņģis’s postseason retreat. Porziņģis nonetheless averaged almost 20 and 10 in the course of the common season and has sufficient dimension, size and contact to positively affect either side of the ball. Even when he isn’t the perfect costar Dallas thought it was getting when it acquired him, he’s nonetheless one of many NBA’s most singular skills. And at 26, there’s nonetheless loads of time for him to make one other leap. — MP
57. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
We all know what a wholesome Klay can do: Play elite protection, and rain napalm from three whereas barely taking a dribble. We don’t know what Klay can do after returning from two major injuries, a torn ACL suffered in the course of the 2019 Finals, and a torn Achilles suffered in the course of the ’20 offseason. Mix the uncertainty of his well being with the uncertainty of his return date, and we’re hedging our wager on Thompson till he returns to an NBA ground. — RN
56. De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks
Residing as much as his billing as a high-floor draft choose, the 23-year-old Hunter has quickly emerged as a invaluable supporting piece in Atlanta, able to defending all around the perimeter and flattening jumpers on the opposite finish. He appeared in simply 23 video games final 12 months because of a nagging knee situation, however seemed just like the Hawks’ second-best participant preinjury, exhibiting off vastly improved shot-creation abilities. A correct, full-season soar in manufacturing might be on the desk. — JW
55. Jerami Grant, Detroit Pistons
Detroit made a giant wager final 12 months by paying Grant—who’d been a stable defender and fourth choice in Denver—extra like a No. 1 choice. The gamble paid off, with Grant almost doubling his scoring common to 22.3 per recreation. His effectivity took a success with him having to create way more offense. However prime choose Cade Cunningham ought to make life a bit simpler for him. — CH
54. John Collins, Atlanta Hawks
Collins is considered one of only a few massive males who dwell above the rim, confidently drill above-the-break threes and are keen to harness their athletic presents within the trenches, setting screens and crashing the boards. As an all-around offensive exclamation level, an All-Star berth could also be in Collins’s future, notably if the Hawks proceed on the observe they discovered late final 12 months. — MP
53: Mikal Bridges, Phoenix Suns
If Merriam-Webster had a definition of three and D, an image of Bridges—maybe the league’s finest position participant—would seem subsequent to it. His endless arms assist make him an elite wing stopper. He’s drastically improved from deep, hitting 44.1% of his tries this previous season. And his 76.3% mark from the restricted area ranked tenth in NBA amongst these with 100 makes an attempt. — CH
Isaiah J. Downing/USA TODAY Sports activities
52. Michael Porter Jr, Denver Nuggets
MPJ is a nitrous oxide increase to the Nuggets’ well-tuned offensive engine. He’s able to offering scoring in spades, and has an argument to be the very best bucket getter on a crew with the reigning MVP and Jamal Murray. Whereas Porter Jr.’s defense and shot selection still need to catch up along with his operating mates, he would possible be a 20-point per evening scorer on most groups. — RN
51. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
Ball’s play lower by way of the noise in brief order, earning Rookie of the Year honors and positioning him because the centerpiece of Charlotte’s rebuild. He shot higher than anticipated, and his presents as a passer are apparent. The query now could be to what level Ball can rise moving forward, with effectivity and consistency not but hallmarks of his recreation (although his poor late-season capturing was hampered by a wrist harm). If he can lead the Hornets into the playoffs, that ought to converse for itself. However at age 20, we shouldn’t essentially anticipate that from him, nor ought to it dampen the passion round his rising star. — JW
Coming Tuesday: Gamers 50-31
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