2018 NBA Draft: 5 best prospects at the center position

Christopher Kline

DURHAM, NC - SEPTEMBER 09: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on during the Duke Basketball Hurricane Harvey Benefit at Cameron Indoor Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

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:

After initially committing to Western Kentucky, Mitchell Robinson made headlines with his decision to leave campus after just a few practices. While he eventually returned, it wasn’t long until he left for good in favor of spending the next year training for the draft — a risky move considering just how raw his skill set currently is.

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At 7’1″ with a 7’4″ wingspan, Robinson has first round potential based on physical tools alone. He’s mobile for his size, getting off his feet quickly around the rim and covering a lot of ground on the defensive end. His instincts aren’t necessarily up to par with some of the more elite centers in this year’s class, but he’s more than capable of blocking shots at a high clip.

That defensive presence is coupled with excellent history as a rebounder. He shows a nice nose for the ball on both ends, and currently holds th EYBL record for rebounds and offensive rebounds per 40 minutes. A strong defensive presence who can crash the boards has immediate value in the NBA — almost regardless of how his offensive game pans out.

The offensive end is probably where Robinson needed the college game most. He has shown flashes of promise as a shooter in the past, but lacks the feel and polish needed to do much at the next level early on. He runs the floor well and can finish off lobs at the rim, but he has some serious work left to do before his jumper becomes a consistent, viable weapon.

With that said, a physical freak who has any potential beyond simple rim-running will get scouts talking. There’s a good chance that we see Mitchell’s stock drop a bit once the college season kicks off, but team workouts will ultimately determine where he falls on draft night.

Wendell Carter was considering an amateur career at Harvard before making the choice to attend Duke, where he’ll now be part of the most talented frontcourt in the country. With Marques Bolden returning and Marvin Bagley III reclassifying, a lot of Carter’s stock will be dependent on the type of role he’s able to carve out for a Duke squad that — yet again — is projected as one of the nation’s best teams.

While Bolden has already spent a season with the Blue Devils, a starting frontcourt of Carter and Bagley seems more than reasonable. Bagley has versatility to space out to the perimeter, while Carter’s stocky frame and well-oiled post repertoire will thrive at the collegiate level.

With that being said, Carter’s game isn’t glued to the low block. He’s not Jahlil Okafor, and any representation of him as such is vastly underselling just how versatile he could become..

Carter is athletic, he just uses his tools in a way that differs from most bigs mentioned alongside him in the lottery discussion. He gives off an Al Horford vibe, using his strength to carve out positioning around the rim before breaking out a wide variety of nifty moves to either get off shots or make a nice touch pass around the interior.

He’s also a capable shooter, with some of the mid-range proficiency that highlights Horford’s game — as well as legitimate potential from beyond the arc. When you combine that with the defensive upside that comes with a strong, mobile 6’10” frame, it’s not difficult to see the appeal that Carter has. Expect him to stay in the lottery discussion all season long.

Mo Bamba has a 7’9″ wingspan. That in and of itself is something that puts him into a unique classification amongst center prospects. His standing reach rivals that of Rudy Gobert, while his defensive ceiling is in that same stratosphere. Five players have a semi-realistic chance of putting themselves into the conversation for No. 1 overall — and Bamba, in a lottery class filled with centers, is one of them.

He isn’t necessarily as skilled as the other bigs in the top five discussion, but Bamba has upside that, from a physical perspective alone, can’t be matched. If his frame continues to fill out and his instincts continue to improve, he could very well emerge as one of the league’s most impactful defenders in a few years. When you consider the fact that he isn’t entirely lost on offense — like Gobert was when the Jazz drafted him back in 2014 — there’s plenty to like about his profile.

One of the biggest knocks on Bamba has been his motor. He doesn’t always put forth the effort scouts want to see, and that’s something that has hurt plenty of top-tier prospects in the past. He’s an incredibly smart kid though, and somebody who has a serious desire to learn the game and better his craft. How many high schoolers go to the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference to ask about pick-and-roll defense?

Bamba’s defensive ceiling and willingness to learn complement some legit potential offensively as well. While he won’t stack up to the Bagleys and Carters of this year’s class, he has flashed some potential as a shooter in the past. If he’s able to add a reliable mid-range shot to his nimble finishing ability at the rim, there’s no reason why Bamba can’t be a plus on both sides of the ball.

From a purely physical standpoint, DeAndre Ayton might be the most impressive prospect in this year’s class. He already weighs in at 243 pounds, while his wingspan eclipses 7’5″ — giving him the tools needed to compete with NBA-caliber athletes from day one. He’s also making strides offensively that could shoot him into the top-three conversation by the season’s end.

With Lauri Markkanen making his way to the Chicago Bulls, Ayton will give the Arizona frontcourt an entirely new flavor next season. Rather than thriving on the flexibility that Lauri’s shot provided, they’ll be able to run the offense through Rawle Alkins on the perimeter while using Ayton to pound ill-equipped defenders inside.

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Aside from raw strength around the interior, Ayton has also shown promise as a shooter — something that, even with his physical tools, seems like a near-must in today’s NBA. His mechanics aren’t aesthetically pleasing, but he’s comfortable getting shots off and has the confidence needed to turn that into a reliable weapon under the right coaching staff.

Defensively is where Ayton’s stock is the highest. He’s another player whose motor has been questioned in the past, but that could be a product of lackluster competition. He has the mobility needed to defend aptly in space, as well as some serious chops as a shot-blocker. Outside of Bamba, Ayton might have the highest defensive ceiling in the 2018 draft class.

With those motor concerns, next season will go a long way in defining scouts’ opinions on Ayton’s game. He did have a tendency to play down to his competition at the high school level, and that’s a habit he’d ideally be able to break under the tutelage of Sean Miller. He has all the tools imaginable, it’s just a matter of whether or not he maximizes those gifts.

Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

While it’s too early to make this kind of statement definitively, Marvin Bagley III has the makings of the best frontcourt prospect since Anthony Davis. He takes Karl-Anthony Towns‘ offensive versatility and stretches it even further, while his defensive potential is among the best in this year’s class outside of the two previous names on this list.

It’s rare to find a natural center with legitimate guard skills, but Bagley has shown flashes of just that. He’s a killer in the open court, handling the ball well in transition while getting up and down the floor far quicker than your typical seven-footer. He adds to that with some decent instincts as a passer, as well as the athleticism needed to control his body and finish around the rim at full speed.

Bagley’s talent translates to half-court success as well. He’s an elite scorer, as well as a capable isolation threat on the perimeter. Not many 6’11” bigs are capable of breaking down their defender off the dribble, but Bagley is already comfortable doing so — something that will boost his stock even further if he develops into a reliable threat from deep.

That, paired with an elite defensive ceiling that’s highlighted by his mobility, makes Bagley one of the most versatile center prospects we’ve seen in quite some time. He’ll enter a crowded Duke frontcourt, but should have no issue separating himself as one of the best talents in the ACC, as well as a prospective frontrunner for the No. 1 pick next June.

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Luka Doncic may have stolen the top spot on most draft boards after a strong EuroBasket performance, but Bagley should start the season as the No. 2 prospect overall — with room to move up.

Christopher Kline

Staff Writer, FanSided.com