Best Draft Prospects: Centers

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jun 3, 2013

Best Draft Prospects: Centers

Nerlens Noel

Noel is expected to miss the start of his rookie season while recovering from ACL surgery. But once he does return, Noel could have an immediate impact as an interior defender, with his size and shot-blocking skills putting him in the running to be the No. 1 pick. His offense is very much a work in progress.

Alex Len

He's a physical center who rebounds well, protects the paint (2.1 blocks per game) and can play with his back to the basket. A stress fracture in his left ankle will keep him out of pre-draft workouts. That could hurt his stock, as teams would like to see signs of a diverse offensive game.

Kelly Olynyk

Olynyk is an NBA-ready scorer: He has a diverse offensive game, is capable of scoring with either hand and can step out andmake a jump shot. Defensively, there are questions about which frontcourt position he can defend. Olynyk needs to get stronger and become a better rebounder.

Gorgui Dieng

Dieng, 23, has a defensive reputation (he was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year last season after swatting 2.5 shots and pulling down 9.4 rebounds per game), but his offensive game is better than most think. Dieng is a strong passer with a decent mid-range jump shot. Scouts also say he is one of the best screen men in the draft.

Steven Adams

Adams is an enigma. He struggled in one season at Pittsburgh, appearing overwhelmed by the strength and speed of the competition. According to one Eastern Conference executive, it looked "like the game was too fast for him" at the draft combine. But his skills are undeniable. At 7 feet, 255 pounds, with a wingspan of 7-5 and enormous hands, Adams is a physical specimen with extraordinary athletic ability. With time and coaching, Adams could develop into a significant low-post threat.

Mason Plumlee

Plumlee has good hands, athleticism and finishing skills around the rim. But Plumlee is on the older side at 23, and in four years at Duke did not develop much of a post game. His ceiling is lower than that of most prospects.

Rudy Gobert

Gobert is impossibly long at 7-2 with a 7-8 wingspan and a 9-7 standing reach, both combine records. He didn't show much offensively at the combine, though, and several execs expressed concern about his slender frame.

Jeff Withey

Withey has a clear NBA skill: defense. He's strong with superior footwork, timing and defensive technique. There isn't much depth in Withey's offensive repertoire right now, though he has displayed a nice touch around the rim. One scout compared Withey with former Pacers big man Jeff Foster, a grinder who had a productive 13-year career despite never averaging more than seven points.

Lucas Nogueira

Nogueira dazzled NBA talent evaluators at the Under-18 World Championships in 2011, with a West general manager referring to him as the "best player on the floor." He played for Estudiantes Madrid in the well-regarded Spanish ACB League in 2012-13. Scouts praise Nogueira's intelligence and ability to fitinto any system, while listing his shot blocking and rebounding as his top skills.

Mouhammadou Jaiteh

Jaiteh is raw (not at all surprising given his age), he faced inferior competition in France's second division and he's not the most explosive athlete. But his size, 7-4 wingspan and rebounding potential have gotten the NBA's attention.