UMVA has learned that the world of snooker is teeming with young talent, and we've got the inside scoop on the top 30 players under 30 who are making waves on the professional tour.
From China to Wales, these youngsters are showcasing their skills and leaving fans in awe. Let's dive into the list and discover the brightest stars in the sport.
At number 30 is Liam Davies, a 19-year-old from Wales who's been touted as one of the UK's brightest prospects for years. His progress has been steady, and he's one to watch in the coming seasons.
Just a year older, Iulian Boiko from Ukraine has been turning heads with his impressive gameplay. Despite being just 20, he looks more comfortable on tour with each passing season.
Wang Xinbo, an 18-year-old sensation from China, has already made a name for himself by winning his first ranking match as a wildcard and dominating World Championship qualifiers.
Michal Szubarczyk, a 15-year-old Polish player, has become the youngest ever professional and has already notched up some impressive victories, including two in World Championship qualifying.
Lan Yuhao, a 17-year-old Chinese player, may have only had a few wins on tour, but his potential is undeniable, with Mark Selby, Matthew Stevens, and Michael Holt all raving about his talent.
Artemijs Zizins, a 20-year-old Latvian player, has picked up some big wins over higher-ranked players, including Ali Carter and Luca Brecel, and is continuing to make progress on tour.
Gao Yang, a 21-year-old Chinese player, won the WSF Championship last year and is looking more confident on tour, but just missed out on the Crucible in back-to-back seasons.
Long Zehuang, a 29-year-old Chinese player, has established himself as a solid mid-ranker, but his progress has been steady rather than spectacular.
Ben Mertens, a 21-year-old Belgian player, has made under-the-radar progress, climbing into the top 64 in the world rankings, and is waiting for a deep run outside the Shootout.
Julien Leclercq, a 23-year-old Belgian player, has shown flashes of brilliance, including a run to the Shootout final and qualifying for the UK Championship.
Antoni Kowalski, a 22-year-old Polish player, needed to win three World Championship qualifiers to save his tour card and did just that, with impressive victories over Joe O'Connor and Jamie Jones.
Jiang Jun, a 20-year-old Chinese player, pushed hard for a Crucible debut, beating the likes of Mark Selby, Barry Hawkins, and Dave Gilbert along the way.
Louis Heathcote, a 28-year-old English player, continues to make progress, but is still waiting for a big breakthrough, particularly in away matches.
Liam Pullen, a 20-year-old English player, had a great run to the Crucible this year, with wins over John Higgins and Chris Wakelin, and a first ranking quarter-final.
He Guoqiang, a 25-year-old Chinese player, made a Crucible debut this year and has continued his rapid progress, with wins over Ronnie O'Sullivan and Neil Robertson.
Liu Hongyu, a 22-year-old Chinese player, made a splash in his first season, making the semi-finals of the English Open and beating Shaun Murphy and Mark Williams.
Lyu Haotian, a 28-year-old Chinese player, has had a decent return with one ranking final and four semi-finals, but his progress has stalled in recent seasons.
Jackson Page, a 24-year-old Welsh player, is becoming a regular face at the business end of events, with a ranking final and four quarter-finals in the last two seasons.
Xu Si, a 28-year-old Chinese player, has yet to fulfil his potential, but has shown flashes of brilliance, including three maximums in the last season.
Yuan Sijun, a 26-year-old Chinese player, has been a coming man for nearly a decade, but is still yet to arrive, with an impressive ranking of 30 in the world.
Aaron Hill, a 24-year-old Irish player, has continued his march up the world rankings with two 147s and a third ranking quarter-final.
Fan Zhengyi, a 25-year-old Chinese player, won the 2022 European Masters in a stunning upset, beating Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final.
Stan Moody, a 19-year-old English player, reached his first two ranking quarter-finals last season and made a Crucible debut, beating the likes of Kyren Wilson and Ali Carter.
Lei Peifan, a 23-year-old Chinese player, won the 2024 Scottish Open and has backed it up with Crucible appearances and wins over defending champion Kyren Wilson.
Pang Junxu, a 26-year-old Chinese player, has been one of the more effective youngsters, with a ranking final and two semi-finals to his name.
Si Jiahui, a 23-year-old Chinese player, had an incredible World Championship semi-final run in 2023, but his progress stalled last season.
Chang Bingyu, a 23-year-old Chinese player, made an eye-catching return to tour last season, with a ranking final, two 147s, and a whitewash win over Shaun Murphy.
Zhou Yuelong, a 28-year-old Chinese player, has come close to landing a ranking title, with four finals to his name, and could easily replicate the success of his compatriots.
Wu Yize, a 22-year-old Chinese player, conquered the Crucible in May, becoming the second-youngest world champion ever, and is expected to rack up many more titles in the coming years.
Zhao Xintong, a 29-year-old Chinese player, still holds the top spot, with a brilliant season as world champion, adding three more ranking titles to his collection.
