The center position isn't disappearing from college basketball.
It's evolving.
The best big men still rebound, protect the rim and punish opponents around the basket. But increasingly, they're asked to defend in space, run the floor, facilitate offense and occasionally stretch defenses beyond the paint.
There is no shortage of good ones in 2026-27.
Here are our 20 best centers entering the season.
20. Andrew McKeever, Iowa
Iowa has a massive presence to work with in McKeever.
The 7-footer's first responsibility will be controlling the glass and protecting the rim. If the offensive game continues developing, McKeever could become much more than a role player.
19. Delrecco Gillespie, Houston
Houston's identity isn't complicated.
The Cougars want to defend, rebound and physically overwhelm opponents.
Gillespie fits.
He doesn't need 15 points every night to become important. His ability to create extra possessions and battle inside could make him invaluable.
18. Nolan Winter, Wisconsin
Winter brings proven Big Ten production into his senior season.
He's already shown he can score and rebound against high-level competition, making him one of the safer players in the bottom half of this ranking.
Wisconsin should ask even more from him.
17. Pharrel Payne, Maryland
Health is the key.
Payne was highly productive before injuries derailed his previous season. At full strength, he's an experienced and powerful interior scorer capable of giving Maryland a legitimate centerpiece around the basket.
16. Luigi Suigo, Villanova
Suigo is one of the more intriguing names on this list.
His size immediately gives Villanova something to build around defensively, and his offensive development will determine just how high his ceiling goes.
15. Sananda Fru, Marquette
Fru brings size and mobility to a Marquette team looking for a new collection of difference-makers.
He can affect games defensively before his offense completely develops.
If both sides come together quickly, Fru could make a major jump.
14. Oswin Erhunmwunse, Creighton
Erhunmwunse arrives at Creighton after establishing himself as an excellent rebounder and shot blocker at Providence.
Those skills should translate immediately.
Creighton has traditionally gotten excellent production from its centers, and Erhunmwunse has the tools to continue that trend.
13. Johann Grünloh, Virginia
Grünloh doesn't need to become a dramatically different player to become a national name.
He's already an outstanding shot blocker.
If Virginia gets more offensive production from its 7-footer, Grünloh could become one of the ACC's most valuable players.
12. Jaden Toombs, SMU
Toombs gave us glimpses of what could be coming during his freshman season.
Now the opportunity becomes larger.
He's physical enough to control the paint but skilled enough to develop into more than a traditional low-post big.
A sophomore breakout wouldn't be surprising.
11. Somto Cyril, Miami
Cyril's value begins on defense.
He's athletic, physical and capable of altering possessions around the rim.
If his offensive game catches up with his defensive ability, Miami could have one of the country's most impactful centers.
10. Tomislav Ivišić, Illinois
There aren't many 7-footers who create spacing problems quite like Ivišić.
His ability to step away from the basket forces opposing centers into uncomfortable situations and creates driving lanes for Illinois' perimeter players.
A healthier preseason could help produce a significant bounce-back season.
9. Malachi Moreno, Kentucky
Moreno could have pursued professional basketball.
Instead, Kentucky gets its talented sophomore center back.
He's mobile, rebounds well and possesses the physical tools to become one of the SEC's biggest breakout players.
Kentucky needs internal development this season.
Moreno is the obvious candidate to provide it.
8. Na'jai Hines, UConn
This marriage makes too much sense.
Hines flashed exceptional shot-blocking ability at Seton Hall and now moves into a UConn program with an outstanding recent history of developing centers.
If Dan Hurley can help Hines limit fouls while maintaining his aggressiveness, look out.
7. Patrick Ngongba II, Duke
Ngongba doesn't need enormous minutes to produce.
That's what makes the possibilities so interesting.
He's already proven effective in a limited workload. A healthy season with an expanded role could transform Ngongba from a valuable Duke piece into a national star.
6. Massamba Diop, Gonzaga
Gonzaga has another fascinating big man.
Diop showed substantial potential at Arizona State and now enters one of college basketball's best environments for developing centers.
He's a dangerous lob threat and potentially elite rim protector.
The ceiling is enormous.
5. Matas Vokietaitis, Texas
Vokietaitis creates pressure around the basket almost constantly.
He's physical, productive and exceptionally good at earning trips to the free-throw line.
Texas doesn't need to overcomplicate his role.
Feed him, let him establish position and make opponents deal with him.
4. Moustapha Thiam, Michigan
Thiam's finish to last season changes the conversation.
From Feb. 1 forward at Cincinnati, he averaged 17.7 points and 10 rebounds.
Now the 7-foot-2 center heads to Michigan.
If that late-season version of Thiam shows up for an entire year, we're looking at a potential All-American.
3. Flory Bidunga, Louisville
Bidunga's decision to leave Kansas for Louisville gave Pat Kelsey one of the most impactful transfers in the country.
His athleticism is special.
Bidunga can run, finish, rebound and defend without needing the offense constructed around him.
Louisville has enormous expectations.
Bidunga is one reason why.
2. Rueben Chinyelu, Florida
Chinyelu might be the least enjoyable player in America to play against.
He's relentless on the glass and one of college basketball's premier defenders.
Florida has more glamorous offensive options, but Chinyelu gives the Gators their edge.
Championship teams need players willing to dominate possessions without dominating the basketball.
Chinyelu is exactly that.
1. Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
Krivas is our No. 1 center because he can control a game without scoring 20 points.
The 7-foot-2 Arizona star is an elite rim protector and was the defensive anchor of a Final Four team last season.
Now his offensive responsibility could increase.
That's the scary part.
Krivas is already one of the most impactful defensive players in college basketball.
If the offense takes another step, he could become one of the best players in the country, regardless of position.
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