The final position in our preview series is center. Traditional centers are a dying breed in basketball. No longer are they simply play finishers and rebounders. Centers now have to handle the ball, shoot effectively from the perimeter, and sometimes run the entire offense. They do all this while anchoring the paint defensively. These 15 players do it better than anyone in the game and are ones to watch this season.
1. Nate Bittle | Oregon | Senior
Bittle is an offensive engine from the paint. He is not a dynamo scorer or an otherworldly defender, but his ability to consistently score, pass, and rebound leaves very few holes to pick in his game.
2. Zuby Ejiofor | St. John’s | Senior
Do not let his 6-foot-9 stature dissuade you from Ejiofor. He is a monster paint protector who can outbrawl the strongest post player while being quick enough to contain the shiftiest of guards.
3. Graham Ike | Gonzaga | Senior
A scoring machine with a knack for drawing fouls, Ike carves up interior defenses with his power and deep bag of tricks. A defensive leap this year is all that is needed for him to reach his pinnacle.
4. Flory Bidunga | Kansas | Sophomore
After a failed transfer portal stint, Bidunga is primed for a breakout season at Kansas. He is already a strong play finisher who can hopefully develop more on-ball poise and defensive discipline.
5. Tomislav Ivisic | Illinois | Junior
Ivisic is a volume three-point shooter whose sound mechanics should translate into improved efficiency. His shooting allows him to get to the basket with ease despite a lackluster post-up game.
6. Jayden Quaintance | Kentucky | Sophomore
A three-level scorer with untapped potential, Quaintance has the skill, agility, and power to become a two-way juggernaut. He is still young, so poise and decision making will be paramount for his development.
7. Henri Veesaar | North Carolina | Junior
Veesaar can stretch the floor, finish at the rim with power, and effectively set screens. His offense made him a EuroLeague star, but his defense has yet to catch up.
8. Tarris Reed Jr. | UConn | Senior
A mix of power and precision, Reed is the premier face-up scoring big man in college basketball. His footwork is impeccable, he knows when to use his strength, and his jumper, while inconsistent at times, keeps defenses honest.
9. Magoon Gwath | San Diego State | Freshman
Gwath is an intriguing player with sky-high upside. His raw athleticism shows in his rim finishing, and he is a mechanically sound jump shooter. However, he is also a foul-happy defender who lacks discipline at times.
10. Chris Cenac Jr. | Houston | Freshman
A defensive menace, Cenac uses coordination and mobility to control the paint. He glides across the court and recovers ground extremely well. Offensively, he is effective off the ball but has a tendency to over-dribble and force plays.
11. Owen Freeman | Creighton | Junior
The Big Ten Freshman of the Year is as versatile as anyone at the position. He is a quick decision maker who consistently makes the right reads. Defensively, he excels as a versatile chess piece rather than a true paint protector.
12. KeShawn Murphy | Auburn | Senior
A remarkably efficient scorer, Murphy’s skill and use of angles at the rim are outstanding. He is a double-double machine and an elite rebounder who serves as a tremendous floor raiser.
13. Robbie Avila | Saint Louis | Senior
The darling of the college basketball world last year, Avila is anything but traditional. He is a lights-out shooter who beats defenders with footwork and fluidity rather than speed, and his playmaking is equally impressive.
14. Oscar Cluff | Purdue | Senior
Cluff is a crafty finesse player who maximizes his scoring opportunities inside. His ability to control the paint, combined with Kaufmann-Renn’s perimeter flexibility, makes them a perfectly balanced frontcourt duo.
15. Morez Johnson Jr. | Michigan | Sophomore
As rugged as they come, Johnson is a relentless rebounder who thrives in the dirty work role. While his overall skill is limited, his motor and physicality allow him to impose his will all over the court.
