With March Madness on the horizon, the center prospects of the 2026 NBA Draft have the opportunity to show their worth on the biggest stage of their college careers. While there are not as many talented centers compared to the number of great forward and guard prospects, there are still a significant number of them who deserve attention. Let’s dive into the best center prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft who will be dancing in the NCAA Tournament.
2026 NBA Draft: Best Center Prospects In The NCAA Tournament
Patrick Ngongba II
The first center prospect on this list is Duke big man Patrick Ngongba II. Standing at six-foot-eleven, Ngongba has stood out as an excellent partner next to Cameron Boozer in the frontcourt. He isn’t the flashiest or most athletic player around, but Ngongba consistently provides impactful production on both ends of the floor. He is a stout interior defender who can contend with bigs in the post using his size and strength. Additionally, Ngongba knows how to leverage positioning and his length to alter shots and be a presence on the boards.
In terms of his offense, Ngongba is unquestionably a fundamentally sound scorer as a big. Specifically, Ngongba is effective as an interior scorer who can leverage his size to power through contact and finish at the rim. Furthermore, he is also effective as a screener in the pick-and-roll. He isn’t someone who will wow with his offensive bag, but Ngongba provides efficient scoring that one can expect from a skilled center.
What is intriguing with Ngongba, however, is his passing ability in the middle. In particular, Ngongba has demonstrated great passing skills and court vision for his position. He can use his size to find cutting teammates or open looks on the perimeter. Furthermore, Ngongba is particularly effective as a facilitator from the top of the key. Overall, he is an impactful center with a high floor who can be a major factor for Duke going into the tourney if he plays.
Motiejus Krivas
Arizona big man Motiejus Krivas is one of the best centers on this list, being the starting center for one of the best teams in college basketball. At seven-foot-two, Krivas is a massive presence in the paint who dominates opposing teams defensively. The junior is an excellent interior defender who excels in drop coverage. His combination of strength, size, and physical tools also allows him to bang with opposing centers in the post. In terms of his physical tools, Krivas is effective at using his length to alter or block shots at a high level. Krivas also uses his length to be a major force on the boards for both sides of the floor.
As for his offense, Krivas is effective as a rim runner and roll-man with solid touch around the rim. While not necessarily a shooter now, Krivas has shown flashes of extending his range beyond the three-point line. In addition to his pick-and-roll capabilities, Krivas is a good cutter and offensive rebounder. Krivas is a bit slow-footed, and he could stand to get stronger. Nevertheless, he has been one of the most important players on an Arizona team slotted to be the one seed. His defensive impact and size easily make him one of the better centers in the class.
Aday Mara
Another giant of a big man in this year’s draft is Michigan center Aday Mara. He is also a strong presence in the paint, using his massive frame at seven-foot-three and long wingspan to have an impact on both ends of the court. He stands out as a true rim protector and interior defender who can handle opposing bigs and easily swat shots. Even if he doesn’t get a block, he definitely has the length to bother shooters. His length is also useful in terms of rebounding, as Mara is great at gobbling up rebounds on both ends.
On the offensive end for Mara, he is a skilled play finisher who possesses great touch at the basket. The thing that sets him apart offensively is his passing ability. His size grants him full vision of the court, and he has the passing ability to get the ball where it needs to go. Mara has his issues as a slow-footed big who struggles to shoot, but his overwhelming size, defense, and offensive potential make him a tantalizing prospect.
Henri Veesaar
For someone who plays next to a top prospect like Caleb Wilson, UNC center Henri Veesaar has been a standout. He has proven himself to be a versatile center for the Tar Heels, being able to do many things well on both ends. He has a varied offensive skill set that makes him a threat from the perimeter and in the paint. Veesaar has elite touch around the rim and is capable of both posting up and attacking closeouts. Not only that, but Veesaar is a promising floor spacer for his position, giving him higher versatility as a scorer. Veesaar is also a solid offensive rebounder and passer.
While Veesaar does need to get stronger, he is also a good defensive piece. He has the length and basketball IQ to be an impactful weakside shot blocker. Plus, his mobility does offer some switchability for him. With Wilson out with an injury, Veesaar has the opportunity to show what he can provide as the main option in the tournament.
Flory Bidunga
Kansas big man Flory Bidunga is Darryn Peterson‘s partner in crime for the Jayhawks and has had an impressive sophomore year. He is easily one of the most athletic center prospects in the draft this year. The six-foot-nine big is an excellent defender at center, with the mobility and athleticism to be defensively versatile. He is a great shot-blocker and overall rim protector despite being undersized. However, the exciting thing about Bidunga is his motor and mobility. Bidunga can legitimately defend one through five, making him a dynamic defender compared to his peers. His offense does lag behind compared to his defense, but he is still effective as a rim-runner and lob target. March Madness would be a great place to truly showcase his athleticism and defense.
Joseph “Jojo” Tugler
For a Houston team known for their defense, Joseph “Jojo” Tugler is the most important piece to their defensive excellence. Though undersized at six-foot-seven, Tugler is an incredible defender for the Cougars. The junior is an excellent defensive playmaker who uses his length and mobility to consistently force turnovers and block shots. His mobility also helps him guard multiple positions and be switchable defensively. In terms of his offense, Tugler doesn’t have much to offer. However, he is still an effective rim-runner and offensive rebounder. Tugler was a major piece to Houston’s deep run last season. Let’s see if he can help the Cougars do that again.
Malachi Moreno
While it is questionable if Kentucky big man Malachi Moreno remains in this draft, he is still one of the better prospects going to the big dance. The seven-footer is a fluid center who utilizes his size and mobility to be a force on the defensive end. Moreno has excellent instincts as a rim protector and weakside helper, consistently being able to alter or block shots. His mobility also allows him to defend decently in space, and he is more effective on the weak side.
Moreno doesn’t have the deepest offensive bag, but he does operate well as a rim-runner and transition threat. Additionally, Moreno has flashed intriguing potential as a passer in the middle. He has the vision to find cutters and open teammates. Moreno certainly will need to get stronger, but there is a lot to like with him. If he can put together a strong March Madness run, it could give him the boost he needs to declare for this year’s draft.
Zuby Ejiofor
Mar 14, 2026; New York, NY, USA; St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) grabs the rebound over Connecticut Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) during the second half of the men’s Big East Conference Tournament Championship at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
St. John’s big man Zuby Ejiofor is an undersized center in this year’s draft, but he is still a highly impressive prospect. Standing at six-foot-nine, Ejiofor is a talented play-finisher and skilled passer for his size and position. He possesses good touch around the rim and excels as a cutter and roller. Ejiofor also possesses the strength that allows him to be a solid post presence. As for his passing ability, Ejiofor is great at scanning the floor and finding open teammates.
On defense, Ejiofor is equally impressive, demonstrating strong defensive playmaking and interior defense. His length, motor, and athleticism help him be a strong shot blocker. Plus, he is disruptive in the passing lanes as well. Despite his size, Ejiofor’s sturdy frame and overall strength allow him to hold his own against bigger centers. Ejiofor has the versatility to guard multiple positions and be able to switch onto the perimeter. While he has been underdiscussed as a draft prospect, Ejiofor is certainly someone who has shown immense talent. Performing well in the tournament can amplify Ejiofor’s name in draft conversations.
Rueben Chinyelu
Florida big man Rueben Chinyelu was a major contributor to Florida’s success last season. Coming back for another season with the defending champions, Chinyelu has taken his game to another level. He has proven himself as one of the better centers in college basketball, especially on the defensive end. At six-foot-eleven with a long wingspan, Chinyelu is a major rim deterrent who plays with immense effort and physicality. He is great at blocking or altering shots with his length. Furthermore, his length helps Chinyelu be a dominant rebounder on both ends, especially on the offensive glass. While Chinyelu can defend in the paint, he is fully capable of guarding up and down the lineup. He has the mobility to be a switchable defender, granting him major versatility.
As for the offensive end, Chinyelu thrives as a rim runner and lob target. He has solid touch at the basket, being mostly used in play-finishing contexts. Chinyelu is also a solid cutter and can keep possessions alive with his offensive rebounding. Chinyelu isn’t going to wow anyone with his offense, but his main draw is the defensive impact he brings. With the improvement he has shown this season, Chinyelu and the Florida Gators will be a major team to watch as they defend their title.
Featured Image: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images