2018 NBA Draft: 5 best prospects at the center position

In a top-heavy 2018 NBA Draft class, the center position is particularly loaded. Here are the top five prospects at the position.

It’s that time of year again. The college season is approaching, and the beginning stages of what will turn into months of in-depth NBA Draft coverage are coming alongside it. This year’s class brings some distinct differences in comparison to 2017, from its top-heavy nature to an emphasis on frontcourt talent.

While last year brought us first round talent well into the second round, 2018 won’t give teams that same luxury. There’s a steep drop in talent outside of the top five, and that decline continues gradually throughout the rest of the field. It’s a hit or miss group, and that — in many ways — makes it more fun to cover.

One of the more important positions in this year’s class is the center spot. Even as the league shifts toward the pace-and-space ideals that teams like the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets embrace, the necessity of quality frontcourt play can’t be understated. From rim protection to additional floor-spacing, a versatile 5-man can change the dynamics of any group.

To get a feel for how frontcourt-heavy this year’s class is, all you need to do is glance at ESPN‘s way-too-early mock draft — where eight of the 14 lottery picks are are either power forwards or centers. It’s even more prominent when cut down to the top five, where three centers are currently slotted.

Here’s a quick rundown of the top five centers in the 2018 NBA Draft class: