After covering the various top prospects among the point guards, shooting guards, small forwards, and power forwards, now is the time to cover the top center prospects. There is a wide range of big men who possess diverse skill sets in this draft. Each center prospect certainly deserves to be identified as someone people need to watch. Let’s dive into the top center prospects to look out for in this 2026 NBA Draft cycle.

2026 NBA Draft: Top Center Prospects To Watch For
Jayden Quaintance

One of the most impressive centers and defensive prospects in this draft cycle is Kentucky sophomore Jayden Quaintance. Standing at six-foot-nine, Quaintance was one of the best defensive playmakers last collegiate season at just 17 years old. Utilizing his innate length and athleticism, he is an elite rim protector and passing lane disruptor who has demonstrated excellent timing and defensive instincts. Furthermore, his athleticism and quickness for his size allow him to cover a ton of ground defensively, and he has shown flashes of being a switchable defender. His length and athleticism also help him be a strong rebounder on both ends. Quaintance is constantly competing to grab every board he can, demonstrating strong physicality while doing so.

Offensively, Quaintance has shown intriguing flashes of ball-handling, shooting, and passing alongside his effective rim-running game. Unquestionably, given his physical gifts, Quaintance is a great lob threat and off-ball cutter who can finish at the basket with force. On the ball, he has demonstrated some face-up scoring and driving ability. Plus, Quaintance has shown impressive flashes of court vision and passing skills for his position. He is even confident in taking shots from the mid-range and from three, though his shooting is still a work in progress. Undoubtedly, Quaintance has a lot to work on offensively. However, if he can find ways to improve, Quaintance will have a strong argument to be drafted in the top five.

Chris Cenac Jr.

As one of the highest-upside prospects in this year’s draft, Houston big man Chris Cenac Jr. is certainly a prospect to watch for. His blend of size, length, and athleticism gives him the potential to be an elite two-way player in the league one day. He has the mobility to defend across multiple positions and be switchable on the perimeter. Cenac is a skilled rim protector, using his physical tools and athleticism to alter shots. Not only that, but he also uses those physical gifts to be a strong rebounder on both ends.

While he is still developing his offensive game, Cenac has shown strong flashes of his potential. He is a talented rim runner who has some face-up scoring ability. Furthermore, Cenac has flashed mid-range and three-point shooting, which can take his game to a whole new level if developed properly. Plus, he has demonstrated solid passing vision and instincts, being able to find the open man on the court. If he can gain more strength and his offense catches up to his defense, Cenac will be a major threat on both ends in the NBA.

Patrick Ngongba II

While nothing that Patrick Ngongba II does on the court is super flashy, he is undoubtedly a talented prospect to observe. He does everything well that a team would want from a center. The six-foot-eleven big has the size and strength to be a presence on both ends of the floor.

Defensively, he is a stout interior defender who can handle physical play in the post and protect the rim. He also uses his strength to gain great rebounding positions on both ends. Offensively, Ngongba does much of his scoring around the rim. He mainly serves as a screener in the pick-and-roll. Additionally, Ngongba has also flashed strong passing ability for his position, which opens up his offensive versatility. On a Duke team full of potential NBA prospects, Ngongba’s solid play shouldn’t be overlooked.

Hannes Steinbach

Washington Huskies big man Hannes Steinbach has been highly impressive in the few games Washington has played this season. The six-foot-eleven big man from Germany is a skilled interior scorer and big-time rebounder. His frame, physicality, footwork, and touch around the rim make him a major interior threat who can outwork opposing defenders. His size and length also allow him to get second-chance opportunities through offensive rebounds.

Steinbach has shown flashes of impressive passing, using his size to peer over the defense and find open teammates. Plus, he has demonstrated skilled passing out of the short roll. Defensively, Steinbach’s long arms give him strong shot-blocking capabilities, and he has the strength to deal with physical play against other big men. Steinbach’s impressive finishing, rebounding, and passing make him another center to keep an eye out for.

Honorable Mentions: Flory Bidunga, Aday Mara, Alex Condon, Henri Veesaar, Magoon Gwath, Tomislav Ivisic, Malachi Moreno, Tarris Reed Jr.

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