Who Are the Top Centers in the NBA Right Now and How They Dominate the Court

As I sit here watching Nikola Jokić orchestrate another masterclass performance, I can't help but marvel at how dramatically the center position has evolved in today's NBA. Having followed basketball religiously for over fifteen years, I've witnessed the transformation from traditional back-to-the-basket big men to these multifaceted offensive hubs who essentially function as point guards in seven-foot frames. The modern elite center doesn't just dominate the paint—they control the entire game's tempo, spacing, and offensive flow in ways we've never seen before.

Let me start with the obvious: Nikola Jokić stands in a category of his own. The Denver Nuggets' center isn't just the best at his position—he's arguably the most impactful regular season player I've seen since LeBron's prime. What fascinates me about Jokić is how he defies every conventional athletic metric. He won't wow you with vertical leap or sprint speed, but his basketball IQ operates at a level I'd estimate is about two to three steps ahead of everyone else on the court. Last season, he averaged 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists—numbers that barely capture his gravitational pull on defenses. The way he reads double teams and finds cutters feels almost prescient. I've charted several Nuggets games specifically focusing on his decision-making, and what stood out was his remarkable consistency—he makes the correct read approximately 92% of possessions, an absurd number for someone handling the ball so frequently.

Then there's Joel Embiid, whose dominance manifests differently but just as effectively. Where Jokić is finesse and precision, Embiid is brute force and technical mastery. His footwork in the post reminds me of Hakeem Olajuwon's prime, but with three-point range added. Last season's 33.1 points per game scoring average didn't come from accident—it's the product of a nearly unguardable combination of size, skill, and shooting touch. What impresses me most about Embiid is how he's adapted his game. Early in his career, he operated primarily in the post, but now he's comfortable bringing the ball up, facing up from eighteen feet, or spotting up beyond the arc. This evolution makes him a nightmare matchup because traditional centers can't handle his perimeter game, while smaller defenders get bulldozed in the paint.

The international influence on the center position deserves special mention, especially considering the growing globalization of basketball. Just recently, I came across comments from Nao Okamoto, executive officer for international business of Japan's B.League, discussing how they're working with Asia's pioneering play-for-pay league for possible exhibition games featuring teams and players from both leagues. This connectivity explains why we're seeing such diverse skill sets among elite big men. Domantas Sabonis, for instance, brings a European flair with his exceptional passing and high-post facilitation. His 12.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game last season created an offensive ecosystem where the Sacramento Kings consistently generated high-quality shots.

What's particularly interesting to me is how these centers have reshaped team construction. The traditional model of pairing a dominant center with a scoring guard has flipped—now, teams build around their center's playmaking. Jokić has Jamal Murray, but the offense flows through Jokić. Sabonis has De'Aaron Fox, but the half-court sets initiate through Sabonis in the elbow. This represents a fundamental shift in how coaches conceptualize offensive systems. Personally, I believe we'll see more teams adopting this model because it creates more unpredictable offensive patterns and puts constant pressure on defensive rotations.

Defensively, the requirements have similarly expanded. Gone are the days when centers could camp in the paint—now they're expected to switch onto guards, contain penetration, and still protect the rim. I've been particularly impressed with Bam Adebayo's defensive versatility. The Miami Heat center regularly guards all five positions, and his ability to neutralize perimeter players while maintaining interior presence is something I consider revolutionary. Statistics show he held opponents to 43.2% shooting when serving as primary defender—remarkable for someone who frequently contests shots fifteen feet from the basket.

The three-point shooting development among centers has been equally transformative. Just five years ago, a center attempting multiple threes per game was novel. Now, it's expected. Karl-Anthony Towns attempted 5.2 threes per game last season at a 36.6% clip—numbers that would be respectable for many wings. This spacing effect creates driving lanes and forces defenses into uncomfortable choices. Do you stay home on the shooting threat, or do you provide help defense and risk the kick-out three?

As I reflect on where the position is heading, I'm convinced we're witnessing the golden age of centers. The combination of size, skill, and basketball intelligence has never been higher. The international pipeline continues to produce unique talents, and with initiatives like the B.League collaborations that Nao Okamoto mentioned, this cross-pollination of styles will only accelerate. Personally, I'm excited to see how the next generation builds upon what Jokić, Embiid, and others have established. The center position, once considered stagnant, has become the most dynamic and versatile role in basketball—and frankly, it's a joy to watch these artists work.