Someone could get a steal in the middle of the first with Labissiere
With the NBA draft right around the corner, June 23rd to be exact, we thought it was time to take a look at some of the prospects likely to hear their names called early in the draft.
We already touched on the forwards and guards. Now we will focus on the big men likely to be manning the five spot in the NBA for years to come. So with further ado, here are our top center prospects in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Import your team for free to get waiver wire advice 
Stand Out Centers
Jakob Poeltl (Utah)
After a solid freshman season, Poeltl broke out in a big way in his second season with the Utes. Posting averages of 17.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game, the center was the overwhelming choice for Pac-12 Player of the Year as he led Utah to a 26-8 record and a three seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Vienna native will make history as he will become the first Austrian player in the NBA.
Owning both impressive athleticism and a 7’1″ frame, Poeltl has the physical tools to flourish as a center at the next level. An extremely efficient scorer, especially when on the blocks, the 20-year-old is a strong finisher around the rim. His quickness and lateral movement give him a definite edge over when defended by fellow big men.
Poeltl will always be a reliable offensive weapon from in close, but with absolutely no shooting range to speak of, he can be considered a one-trick pony. His short wingspan, for his height, also restricts Poeltl from ever being an elite shot blocker; which is a disappointment for someone with his stature and jumping ability.
Skal Labissiere (Kentucky)
Originally from Haiti, Labissiere arrived in the U.S. with virtually no organized basketball experience. During his lone season at Kentucky, the 20-year-old appeared overmatched, physically and mentally, and was routinely in foul trouble, limiting his minutes. He played less than 16 per game. Having entered the year as a projected top-five pick, to say Labissiere’s season was a disappointment would be an understatement.
Standing 6’11” with a long wingspan, the former Wildcat has a good frame but needs to add a bit of bulk as he can be pushed around by stronger opponents. His toughness is also called into question as he seems to shy away from contact, limiting his rebounding numbers. Even with the red flags, there is plenty of room for Labissiere to grow defensively. His explosive offensive potential can make up for any defensive weaknesses he may hold.
Owning soft hands and nimble feet, Labissiere is the perfect alley-oop partner. His ability to make quick cuts and finish at the rim also make him an ideal candidate for pick-and-rolls. His shooting mechanics on jumpers is nearly flawless as well, especially for someone pushing seven feet. While it may take a few years for his overall game to develop, Labissiere enters the draft with the highest scoring ceiling of all big men.
Henry Ellenson (Marquette)
Even as the Golden Eagles suffered through a disappointing season, Ellenson was named the Big East Rookie of the Year and was First Team All-Conference. He nearly averaged a double-double with 17.0 points and 9.9 rebounds per game as he played close to 34 minutes per game. His offensive prowess will be his clearly be his biggest asset at the next level.
Ellenson owns a solid shooting stroke as evidenced by his 75 percent rate at the free throw line. He also made 30 three-pointers, showcasing his ability to step back to the perimeter and make shots, a much-needed skill in today’s NBA. Standing 6’11” the Wisconsin native has the bulk and size to play center, but his shooting range and superior passing ability may lead him to spend plenty of time at the four as well.
Ellenson’s broad frame is ideal, but it could also be his biggest weakness as he has shown the tendency to add weight in between seasons. Even if he stays in shape, the primary concern is his slow legs. His defensive ability is called into question as he does not have the lateral quickness to defend the agilest players in the NBA. He appeared flat-footed and struggled to cover ground on pick-and-rolls.
Damian Jones (Vanderbilt)
After an impressive sophomore season, where he averaged 14.5 points and 2.0 blocks per game, Jones returned for his junior season at Vanderbilt but took the unusual step of declaring it would be his final college season even before it began. With per 40-minute averages of 21.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks, the center helped bring the Commodores back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012.
At just a hair under 7’0″ and weighing a solid 245 lbs, Jones has the ideal size and frame for an NBA center. A great athlete, the soon-to-be 21-year-old has exceptional mobility and quickness for a man of his stature. Using his strength and explosiveness, Jones excels with his back to the basket. He possesses a solid set of moves and dunks the ball with ease.
Despite his above-average finishing ability, Jones did struggle, at times, when it came to shot selection. His intensity and focus have been called into question too as at times it appeared he was just going through the motions. Jones also struggled to make shots at the line as well, making less than 54 percent his junior year.
Ivica Zubac (Croatia)
Bouncing around the Croatian leagues, Zubac has been playing professionally for three seasons, starting when he was only 16. In his most recent action, he averaged 9.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game playing for Mega Leks of the Serbian League. HIs most impressive numbers came during the 2015 FIBA U21 World Championship as he posted 17.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game against the best competition in Europe.
Possessing great size at 7’1″, Zubac knows how to use his body down low, pushing opponents around and getting to the rim with ease. He would also impose his will on the boards, racking up high numbers of offensive rebounds. His hustle and intensity also give him a high ceiling as a rim protector and defender.
Like many 19-year-olds, Zubac has a lot to learn on both sides of the ball. He needs refinement in his shooting touch and could also add some distance to his shooting range. Defensively, he needs to focus as he was prone to mental lapses that are unacceptable for someone of his size and talent. There is a high possibility, like many other European players, that Zubac will be drafted then stashed overseas for a few seasons to develop.
Other notable centers
Ante Zizic – One of best all-around big men in the Croatian league, Zizic averaged 13 points, eight rebounds, and 1 .5 blocks per game. The seven-footer was nimble enough to step back and make mid-range jumpers with consistency, all while displaying superior energy and not shying away from contact. Despite the intensity, Zizic can be a bit sloppy and will need to improve his offensive skills. There is a high chance he will be a draft-and-stash pick, spending another season overseas.
Cheick Diallo – After only playing 7.5 minutes a game his freshman year with the Jayhawks, Diallo shocked many by declaring for the NBA draft. His struggles to pick up the playbook, combined with a trio of upperclassman standing in his way, made his short college experience unproductive. With great length and agility, Diallo is a unique talent but is very raw and will need a few seasons to develop.
Zhou Qi – Many teams in the NBA are looking for shooting range from their centers while not giving up any rim protection; Qi fits that mold to a tee. Standing at 7’2″, the 20-year-old blocked 3.2 shots per game in the China Basketball Association last year, while being able to knock down mid-range jumpers with ease. Qi can also stretch the defense beyond the three-point line as he went 9-for-15 from distance last season.
Diamond Stone – One of the strongest and more well-built centers in the draft, Stone’s length and physicality compensate for his height, 6’10”. A traditional back-to-the-basket scorer with positive scoring instincts, the 19-year-old averaged 12.4 points and shot over 56 percent from the field in only 22 minutes per game as a freshman.
Stephen Zimmerman – With an excellent shooting touch, Zimmerman is not your typical physical, occupy the paint center. In his only season at UNLV, he put his mobility and ability to pick-and-pop on display. What the seven-footer lacks in bulk, he makes up for with impressive quickness and footwork.
Dale Redman is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Dale, check out his archive and follow him @DTRedman.
