Draft Preview: NBA Draft Ranks: Centers
In terms of NBA big men, this is a very shallow group of prospects, with very few players who could expect much playing time early in their careers. There is a lot of potential though, and there are a few young players with versatile skills who can make an impact later on, once they get the development they need.
The players are listed in order of where they will go in my mock draft, though it doesn’t necessarily reflect how I see these players ranked in ability and long-term NBA potential.
Here are links to all of the draft rankings:
1. Jakob Poeltl, Sophomore, Utah, 7’1”, 239
Poeltl, the PAC-12 Player of the Year, built off an impressive freshman season with a sophomore year where he was one of the country’s most dominant big men. The Austrian Poeltl is a skilled offensive player, showing strong footwork, a versatile move set and a great touch around the basket. He doesn’t have a lot of the speed of athletic ability of a lot of recent college big men, but he makes up for it with smart decisions and a great sense of spacing. Poeltl may be as good in the pick-and-roll as anyone in the past few drafts, and he has also shown good vision and passing ability. While very good around the basket, Poeltl has shown little ability to step out and knock down mid-range jumpers, though he had little need to. After a dismal year from the free throw line as a freshman, Poeltl upped his shooting percentage to near 70 percent, a very good number considering his prior free throw rate. Defensively, Poeltl can be a step slow, but is fundamentally sound, and has shown that he could be a decent rim protector. He is a very good rebounder on both ends of the floor, using his big body well to carve out space. In a shallow center class, Poeltl is the best the year, and should be a lottery pick.
2. Damian Jones, Junior, Vanderbilt, 6’11 ½”, 244
Jones’ three seasons at Vanderbilt were filled with a lot of ups and downs, but based on physical ability, he could have what it takes to be an NBA big man. Jones has developed well as a low post scoring threat, even though you wish he would be more aggressive about demanding the ball and going strong to the basket. He is also a good option in the pick-and-roll, using his size and athleticism well to get to the rim. Jones uses his length well on the offensive glass, even if he has some trouble finishing second-chance attempts. On the defensive end, Jones has the size and length, a near 7’4” wingspan, to be a force around the basket, but he has a bad tendency to get into foul trouble, especially picking up cheap fouls. Also, he has a tendency to disappear, or give up on plays, while not showing the aggressiveness needed to dominate the defensive boards with his size. Jones’ shot-blocking ability is good, if he can avoid fouling. With this year’s group of big men, and based on his raw talent and athletic ability, Jones can be a first round pick, but he will need to show vast improvement to have some impact at the NBA level.
3. Ante Zizic, International, Croatia, 6’11”, 240
Zizic, a 19-year-old Croatian, has good size and athletic ability, showing a lot of energy on the floor, along with an improving skill set. He is a good finisher around the basket, especially in pick-and-roll sets, and while not very strong, he knows how to finish through contact. Zizic has not shown a whole lot yet with his ability as a low-post scorer, but he is very good at creating his own opportunities, especially on the offensive boards, where he is extremely aggressive. Defensively, the effort is there, including contesting shots around the basket, even if he is still developing a lot of the necessities with footwork and using his body to defend. Zizic’s rebounding also translates on the defensive end, showing a willingness to go strong after rebounds, even if he doesn’t have great position. Zizic has a good deal of raw ability, and his motor allows him to make plays, but he is a long-term project for a team who takes him, though a risk worth taking in the first round.
4. Stephen Zimmerman, Freshman, UNLV, 7’0”, 234
A heralded prospect coming out of high school, Zimmerman’s freshman season was a bit of a disappointment because of injury and the mess that was UNLV basketball last year. Zimmerman has shown some skill as a low-post scorer, though a lack of strength made it tough for him to consistently get good position. He can be a versatile scorer, showing the ability to knock down jumpers, get to the rim in the pick-and-roll, or get out and run the floor in transition. Other than a lack of strength, Zimmerman can also show a lack of urgency or aggressiveness when he gets the ball in scoring position, needing to be more decisive and going strong when he gets the ball. Defensively, Zimmerman has the ability to defend in the post or on the perimeter, even if he isn’t particularly great at either. Where he does shine is in his ability to defend the rim, using his length and a great sense of timing to alter and block shots, especially helping from the weak side. Zimmerman, with his perimeter ability, may eventually play more of the power forward position, but his development over the next few years will be very important to see what kind of impact he can make.
5. Diamond Stone, Freshman, Maryland, 6’10”, 254
The big-bodied Stone started to shine in the second-half of his freshman year, especially as he built an on-court rapport with point guard Melo Trimble. He uses his size well in the low post, establishing position and backing his man down, though he can still be very inconsistent with his scoring ability and footwork. Stone is much better when he can get the ball cutting to the rim off of penetration, or in the pick-and-roll, showing good hands and the ability to finish strong. He hasn’t shown much in an ability to step away from the rim and knock down jumpers, but as a 76 percent free throw shooter, it’s not crazy to think that he can develop a consistent mid-range shot. Defensively, Stone uses his body well in the low post, though he doesn’t have the footwork yet to defend quicker post players. Also, while a decent shot blocker when in position, he doesn’t have the awareness or speed yet to be an effective help defender. Stone also needs to be a better rebounder for his size, especially using his big body to box out and carve out space. There’s a lot to like about Stone’s potential, but he’s another young big not really ready for the NBA, though a good project for a team, and worth a shot in the late first round.
6. Zhou Qi, International, China, 7’2”, 218
Long and thin, the 20-year-old Qi posted a near 7’8” wingspan at the NBA combine, one of the longest recorded at the combine in recent years. Qi is very agile for his size, and has shown some versatile skills playing pro ball in China. He has shown a soft touch around the basket, as well as the ability to step out and knock down mid- and long-range jumpers. Qi can also put the ball on the floor a bit, and has good vision, decision-making and passing skills. Defensively, he uses his agility well, especially as a rim protector, and his long arms can alter shots in the lane or on the perimeter. Qi’s lack of strength can hurt him in the post, where more physical players just back him right out of a play. Also, he seems to float a bit out on the floor, never really exerting a lot of effort, and has never really been the difference-maker he could be for his size, especially on the boards. Qi has a lot of potential, but his lack of physical ability right now hurts him, and though he seems to be coachable, it may be a while before picking him could pay off dividends.
7. Chinanu Onuaku, Sophomore, Louisville, 6’10”, 245
Onuaku took a big step forward as a sophomore, becoming an important player for Louisville on both ends of the floor, even if he still is more about physical ability than skill. Onuaku’s low post scoring ability, while very efficient, is still a work in progress, as it is more about using his strong body to overpower players than it is about showing good footwork and touch. Also, he doesn’t have great hands or awareness, leading to a high amount of turnovers when he gets the ball. Onuaku is very good on the offensive boards, using his long arms, strong body and aggressiveness to just move bodies out of the way. Defensively, Onuaku has shown some rapid improvement, both in his ability to defend in the low post or the pick-and-roll, and he uses his length well to be an imposing shot blocker in the lane. As on the offensive end, Onuaku is a strong rebounder on defense, and this is the part of his game which will get him his opportunities with NBA teams.
Others to Watch: AJ Hammons, Purdue; Ivica Zubac, Croatia
