NBA Center Prospects
Scouting reports on the next NBA centers. Most of the prospects here are centers and big men listed at 7 feet or taller, from high school gyms, college programs and pro leagues around the world.
About our NBA center scouting reports
Every report answers the same questions: who the center is, where he plays now, what he does well, what holds him back, and how realistic the NBA is. Where a number or a claim could not be confirmed, the report says so.
The list runs from drafted NBA centers such as Aday Mara and Rocco Zikarsky to centers still chasing a contract, such as Kai Sotto, and younger giants such as Cherif Millogo and Olivier Rioux. Many reports include a video breakdown from the NBA Low Key channel. For every young center we track, not only the ones with a full report, open the 7-foot prospect database.
NBA center prospects: questions and answers
What makes a good NBA center prospect?
NBA teams look for four things in a center prospect: size and length, the mobility to defend away from the basket, rim protection, and a reliable way to score, whether that is finishing lobs, a post game or an outside shot. Free-throw shooting is often the best early sign of whether a big man will develop a shooting touch.
Who is the tallest NBA center prospect right now?
The tallest player in our database who is not an established NBA player is Olivier Rioux, listed at 7'9" (UC Irvine). The database lists 390 active players at 7 feet or taller, born in 2001 or later, from 61 countries. See the full list.
Why does Low Key NBA focus on 7-foot centers?
Height is the one thing a coach cannot teach, so NBA teams will draft or sign a 7-foot center on potential long before they would take a smaller player with the same resume. That makes tall centers the prospects most likely to come out of an unexpected country or league, and the ones least covered elsewhere.
How tall is the average NBA center?
Roughly 6 feet 10 to 6 feet 11. True 7-footers are less common than most fans assume, which is why NBA teams track tall center prospects from a young age.
How does a center prospect become eligible for the NBA draft?
The rules are the same for every position. A player must turn 19 during the calendar year of the draft. Players from the United States must also be at least one year removed from high school. International players become automatically eligible in the calendar year they turn 22, and can enter earlier by declaring for the draft.
Do you only write about centers?
Almost. Most reports cover centers and big men at 7 feet or taller, but we also profile a few guards and wings we have made videos about, such as Andy Gemao and Francis Lopez.