Yahoo Sports is breaking down the best players in the 2024 NBA Draft by position this week. On Monday, we ranked the best point guards in this class. Today, we take a look at the centers, led by potential No. 1 prospect Alex Sarr. This could be the second year in a row that a French center goes No. 1 overall, with the San Antonio Spurs selecting Victor Wembanyama last year.
The center position is changing in the NBA and becoming a more hybrid role. Wembanyama and Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren are very comfortable in the open court and taking players off the dribble, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have had success having multiple 7-footers on the court at once.
There are no unicorn-like center prospects in this draft class, but there are still plenty of good options for teams looking to add some height and rim protection. Here’s a look at the top center prospects as teams sort their draft boards preparing for the 2024 NBA Draft on June 26-27.
1. Alex Sarr
Weight/Weight: 7-1, 225 pounds | Age: 19
Sarr had one of the most unique paths to the NBA. Originally from France, he turned pro at age 14 and played in Spain and France before coming to the US, where he did not attend college but chose to join the semi-pro Overtime Elite league for two years. Last season, he moved halfway around the world to play for the Perth Wildcats in Australia’s National Basketball League ahead of the NBA Draft.
“The professional path is a better fit for me as a player and has helped me develop my game better,” Sarr told Yahoo Sports last fall. “The spacing allows me more freedom and versatility, which is why I chose to play in the NBL and not in college.”
Sarr is an elite rim protector and showed most promise with his pick-and-pop game during shooting drills at the combine. The Atlanta Hawks have the No. 1 pick and will likely consider Sarr or winger Zaccharie Risacher if they keep the pick. Sarr has the potential to become an inside-out center like Wembanyama and Holmgren with how well he moves with the ball and with his shot creation off the block.
Weight/Weight: 7-2, 282 pounds | Age: 20
Cligan was one of the most improved prospects from freshman to sophomore year last season and the anchor who helped lead UConn to back-to-back titles. His presence on the track is immediately felt and he runs the floor very well for his size. When he was completely healthy during the second half of the season, Clingan made plays on defense and beat players in transition for easy alley-oop dunks. He credits the UConn coaching staff for his transformation and development.
“We train 11 months a year, and coach (Dan) Hurley pushes us to the maximum every day,” Cligan told Yahoo Sports last month. “The coaching staff took everything from us and put us in the best position possible to succeed and succeed at a high level.”
After Sarr, Cligan will be the next center on the board, with several interested teams who may have to trade into the top five to call him up. Detroit, Memphis, Oklahoma City and Utah are possible landing spots for Cligan.
3. Kel’el Ware
Weight/Weight: 7-1, 230 pounds | Age: 20
Ware has been one of the top setters during the pre-draft process and could enter the lottery with his performance in practice. Ware and Sarr are nearly identical on paper in their measurements, and both players move more fluidly around the court than the typical center.
Ware transferred to Indiana after his freshman year at Oregon and was a completely different player. His weakside help and shot blocking have improved with his footwork and timing. Ware averaged 15.9 points and 9.9 rebounds at Indiana and also shot 42.5% from 3-point range. Memphis, Sacramento, Portland and the Los Angeles Lakers are possible options between the end of the lottery and the middle of the first round.
[Check out our latest mock draft]
Weight/Weight: 7-0, 230 pounds | Age: 20
Missi is still an untapped prospect, but he has a lot of untapped potential that has teams intrigued. He moved up six inches four years ago and moved from guard to center. He has great hands, catches passes in traffic and is extremely athletic at the rim. Missi didn’t shoot the ball very well during the combine, but she felt comfortable in her movement and shooting motion.
Any team that drafts Missi will have to be a little patient with his development as he adjusts to the pace and physicality of the NBA game. He could be a good addition to a team that already has a great base established and is looking for extra rim protection to play alongside the second unit. His draft range ranges from 15 to 25.
Weight/Weight: 7-4, 299 pounds | Age: 22
Edey was the most dominant player in college basketball this year and led Purdue all the way to the championship game. He averaged 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game during his senior year and had 37 points in a loss to UConn in the title game. Edey’s draft range is all over the place; he could go from 15 to 35 years. Some NBA scouts and executives don’t see how his game translates to the NBA with his size and lack of mobility on the perimeter, while others think he could anchor their defense.
“Every team needs someone to hold the paint,” Edey told reporters at the combine. “You need someone to get rebounds, someone to block shots and finish lobs. Not everything has to be with me with the ball in my hands and the post up. Obviously at Purdue there were a lot of post ups, but if you actually watch the game, there’s a lot of ball screens, seals, hitting the indirect and coming back and that’s what they do in the NBA and that’s what I can bring to any team.”
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UCLA Adem Bona It was helped by how well he played during the 5-on-5 scrimmage portion of the Combine. He is one of the big names in the draft and sets injury screens on the perimeter. His defensive timing still needs some work, but for second-round teams looking to add size to the paint, Bona is a great option at 6-10 and 243 pounds.
Ulrich Chomche is a 6-11 center from Cameroon and one of the youngest players in this draft, not turning 19 until December. The decision to remain in the draft came after a lackluster showing at the Nike Hoop Summit, where NBA scouts and executives got to see him in a few practices, a scrimmage and an All-Star game. Chomche has a lot of potential, but will be a draft and stash player who needs more development before he can contribute to an NBA team.
Oregon N’Faly Dante was incredible during the Pac-12 tournament and two games in the NCAA tournament, where he averaged 25.5 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks and two steals. He is automatic whenever he gets the ball near the rim and showed more motor at the draft combine during 5-on-5 play.
