Top 25 centers

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Top 25 Centers
By: John Thompson
Date: 06/14/2000
A class that got much deeper with the addition of many European players. 
Eight of the top 25 are from Europe and haven't played college ball. It is 
starting to be a battle between the top two in Mihm and Przybilla as both 
look to be good NBA players. 
 

1. Chris Mihm, 7-0, 265, C, Texas, Junior
He wants to be a power forward, but with the lack of centers in the league, 
he isn't likely he will play there much. Some say he is soft, but most 
centers that are soft don't average 10 rebounds a game and over two blocks 
either. He still can score in a variety of ways as well. 

2. Joel Przybilla, 7-1, 250, C, Minnesota, Sophomore
Joel just keeps rising and rising, even though not a lot of people have seen 
him play. The few that have are saying good things. He isn't going to be 
contributing anytime soon, but has he stayed in college for four years, he 
would have been able to start right away in the NBA. Shot blocking, 
rebounding, and defensive footwork are his best assets.

3. Iakovas Tsakalidis, 7-2, 280, C, Greece (1979)
The big man is agile and has great footwork and mobility. Don't expect him to 
be going out to the three-point line, but he does well inside. There is talk 
and age and contract problems, but that could be just a way to have him slip 
a bit, as many teams are very interested in him. He is falling a bit, mostly 
due to those rumors. 

4. Jason Collier, 7-0, 255, PF/C, Georgia Tech, Senior
He isn't a center, but is likely to play there in the NBA for most teams. He 
is a legit 7-footer and knows how to score and he runs the floor well. Most 
have him falling and don't see him as a high pick, but he could one of the 
players that can contribute sooner than many of the others. 

5. Ernest Brown, 7-0, 230, C, Indian Hills C.C., Sophomore
Athletic and runs like some guards, but is still learning some things, but 
has a number of moves inside, hook, fade away, and more. He has a strong 
upper body, but very, very skinny legs, which make him weigh less than many 
other inside players. 

6. Soumaila Samake, 7-2, 235, C, Cincinnati (IBL)
Similar to Brown in size, except a few inches taller, but he doesn't have a 
few of the same moves inside. A great defensive player, blocks shots and 
intimidates. He may surprise and get drafted much higher than what he is 
projected as he works out for teams. 

7. Mamadou N'diaye, 7-0, 245, C, Auburn, Senior
May be 6-11, but still a good defensive player that keeps getting better. His 
offensive game is slowly getting better as well, but will need time to really 
play good minutes in the NBA. 

8. Dalibor Bagaric, 7-1, 240, PF/C, Croatia (1980)
Young Croatian center that has the ability to play on the perimeter and 
shoot. He also can rebound and play inside or run in transition. When teams 
begin to look at him closer, he could move up a bit. 

9. Jabari Smith, 6-10, 240, PF/C, LSU, Senior
Jabari hasn't had the greatest off-season and seems to not be a real hard 
worker, but talented and is more of a power forward than a center, but teams 
will likely play him at center because of the match up problems he can 
create. 

10. Todor Gecevski, 7-0, 240, C, Fyrom (1978)
A true inside player that rebounds and scores, but he has the ability to play 
on the perimeter like a power forward or even a small forward. He has good 
range on his jumper as well. 

11. Karim Shabazz, 7-0, 225, C, Providence, Junior
He showed in Chicago he can't shoot, but a lot of his other skills are there, 
except he is thin. He is a good defender and moves well inside to get in 
position, but often gets pushed out. With his athleticism, he may be able to 
play power forward with added shooting range. 

12. Dan McClintock, 7-0, 250, C, Northern Arizona, Senior
Dan is really impressing teams with his abilities and especially with the 
fact he runs the floor and bangs inside. Dan 

13. Brandon Kurtz, 6-10, 257, PF/C, Tulsa, Senior
A power man inside that has a shooting touch out to 15 feet, but likes to 
work at his game and watch basketball. Kurtz also can rebound and will 
probably play center in the league because of the lack of bigger players, but 
is better at power forward.

14. Jake Voskuhl, 6-11, 245, C, Connecticut, Senior
Hasn't been around at the camps, but has injury problems and that could hurt 
him from getting drafted. He could also play power forward since he runs the 
floor well and likes to shoot out to 16 feet. 

15. Brad Millard, 7-3, 350, C, St. Mary's, Senior
Big Continent has been talked about for years, but hasn't really produced 
like most thought he could. Foot problems have kept him from playing a lot, 
but he is mature and understands that game. A second round pick is probably 
only be from a team not worried about losing the pick.

16. Primoz Brezec, 7-1, C, 245, C, Slovenia (1979)
He isn't fast and not the most agile, but he can shoot and block shots and 
can pass well. Similar to the way Arvydas Sabonis plays now and around the 
same size, maybe a bit thinner. A number of teams are interested in taking 
him in the second round. 

17. Mehmut Okur, 6-11, 250, C, Turkey (1979)
Teams have talked a bit about him in the second round, as he is a good 
athlete and also can rebound well. Isn't overly skilled inside, but can run 
the floor and also can jump well. 

18. Nick Sheppard, 6-0, 270, C, Pepperdine, Senior
A good rebounder and moves around a lot inside and gets into nice position, 
but not the most athletic or does he run the floor as well as most. 

19. Aleksander Bashminov, 6-11, 235, C, Russia (1978)
Bashimov can score well, but is somewhat thin and weak and needs work on the 
rest of his skills, but is agile and athletic. Some teams are interested, but 
many think they can wait and see what he can do later as a free agent. 

20. Lazaros Papadopoulos, 6-11, 240, PF/C, Greece (1980)
He has moves and doesn't mind banging or rebounding. He can shoot a bit, but 
still needs some work there and isn't real athletic, but enough to get 
rebounds when necessary and has a bit of ball handling skills as well. 

21. Alex Dench, 6-11, 243, Gonzaga, Senior
A rebounder that doesn't mind contact at all. The Australian has experience, 
but hasn't touched the ball a whole lot on offense, but has a decent hook and 
jumper inside. 

22. Kenyon Jones, 6-10, 280, PF/C, San Francisco, Senior
A power player that can hit the 12-foot jumper. He likes to bang and use his 
body, but doesn't run the floor well and is a bit overweight. 

23. Thomas Van der Spiegel, 7-0, 235, C, Belgium (1978)
Has a bit of an offensive game, plus can get into good position for rebounds. 
He is also athletic and runs the floor and has the ability to be a good shot 
blocker.

24. Stefan Ciosici, 6-11, 260, PF/C, Lafayette, Senior
More of a shooting big man. He can bang, but is a bit soft. He is more of a 
power forward than a center, but isn't likely to play there. Not many teams 
are interested in his services as many Euro centers have decided to come out. 

25. Jameel Watkins, 6-11, 255, C, Georgetown, Senior
A good athlete that can block shots and rebound, but offensively isn't all 
that good. Runs the floor well and a good team player. 

25. Ndongo N'diaye, 7-0, 208, C, Deleware, Senior
If he couldn't block shots, he wouldn't even be considered, but he has nice 
timing and good hops and that could warrant someone to pick him.