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2015 NBA Draft Center Rankings

Posted By Chris Ransom

Last Updated: November, 22, 2014 Following Our monthly 2015 NBA Mock Draft

Jahlil Okafor: C, Duke Projected Round: Top Pick

Jahlil Okafor was the top prospect in the class of 2014 and will likely be the top pick in the 2015 NBA Draft once the NBA Draft rolls around. Okafor is a special prospect at center and is a sure fire number one pick just like previous centers that entered the league whether it be Dwight Howard, Yao Ming, Shaq, or David Robinson.

Okafor is the complete center for so many reasons. He has the exact size of DeMarcus Cousins at 6-foot-11 and 270-pounds. Not just that his game is so precise. You are talking about a man with the basketball IQ and speed of Anthony Davis, the shooting accuracy of Blake Griffin, along with the defensive play of Dwight Howard. Okafor could easily be the top center in the NBA by 2017 kind of how Davis is now the top power forward in the entire NBA two years after he was drafted. It was the same way with Blake Griffin by 2012 after playing two seasons in the NBA following an injury in that kept him out of his rookie season in 2009.

Okafor has guided Duke to a 4-0 start with his flawless play at center. He is averaging 17.7 points per game, 7 rebounds per game, and 2 assists per game. Not bad 4 games into your college career when he was the most sought out recruit in high school.

In all 4 games, Okafor has scored a minimum of 16 points along with posting a minimum of 5 rebounds. Okafor is also posting a minimum 1 assist and 1 block per game. Okafor scored 16 points in the opener against Temple. After that he dropped 17 against Michigan State on Tuesday before scoring 17 in the next game before posting a season best 19 points. You have to love the fact that Okafor is posting more points in each game.

After Tuesdays National Telecast against the Spartans one ESPN analyst called Okafor the best center since Hakeem Olajuon. That is a bit of stretch, but there is no question that Okafor overwhelming favorite to be the top pick in the 2015 NBA Draft at this point. Emmanuel Mudiay, Karl Towns the High School Basketball player of the year at Kentucky, and Stanley Johnson of Arizona will challenge him to be the top pick with all 4 players guaranteed to be top 5 picks. At the end of the day the NBA has a greater demand for a center then a point guard, small forward, or a power forward since more teams in the NBA need a center than any other position.
Myles Turner: C, Texas Projected Round: Top 10 Pick

Myles Turner is an outstanding prospect. Turner and Duke point guard Tyus Jones have to be the favorites to be the fifth best prospect that rounds out the top 5 at this point.

The 6-foot-11 and 240-pound Turner resembles Al Jefferson. Turner dunks and defends like Jefferson and hits three point shots like Dirk Nowitzki. It is rare to find a big man center that can hit a three pointer like Nowitzki which is why Turner has a slight edge over Jones at the moment. The other reason why Turner has an edge is because half of the teams in the NBA need upgrades at center. Not many teams need upgrades at point guard.
Kristaps Poringis: C, Latvia Projected Round: Top 10 Pick

I feel like Kristaps Poringis will bust. Poringis is an excellent dunker and a tremendous offensive rebounder. He needs to work on his defensive rebounding.

His awareness is good enough to get the job done. Many are comparing him to Jonas Valenciunas. I thought Valenciunas would bust, but he proved me wrong even though it took him time to get used to the league. Poringis will likely have a similar career to Valenciunas assuming he makes the NBA.
Iimate Diop: C, Senegal Projected Round: 1st Round

Ilimate Diop is the international version of Joel Embiid. He does not have the durability issues that Embiid had. Unlike Embiid he is in a draft class with 3 centers that are better than him plus he is an international player.
Willie Cauley-Stein: C, Kentucky Projected Round: 1st Round

Willie Cauley-Stein is an excellent rebounder and outstanding shot blocker. His inability to score points leads me to believe he is an All Pro defender that should be passing the ball to teammates much like Marcus Camby.
Dakari Johnson: C, Kentucky Projected Round: 1st Round

Dakari Johnson reminds of Kendrick Perkins. An outstanding backup center who can begin his career as a starting center. Eventually Johnson needs to be a backup center unless he plans on returning to school for another year after Cauley-Stein declares.
Frank Kaminsky: C, Wisconsin Projected Round: 1st Round

When I first saw Kaminsky I fell in love with his dunking and ability to hit mid range shots. His face reminded me of Marc Gasol. He loses focus really easy and lacks the basketball IQ to start in this league. Kaminsky would be a backup at best just like Johnson.
Kaleb Tarczewski: C, Arizona Projected Round: 2nd Round

Kaleb Tarczweski is an exceptional big man at the collegiate level. He is a backup big man with the versatility to play center or power forward. He reminds me a little bit of Cody Zeller.
A.J. Hammons: C, Purdue Projected Round: 2nd Round

A.J. Hammons could be a steal. He reminds me a little bit of Tyson Chandler. The 7-foot 280-pound center has averaged over 10 points per game in three years at Purdue.

Having a guy like this available in round 2 is a perfect second round pick if you miss out on a center in round 1 or need a quality center for depth.
Mouhammadu Jaiteh: C, France Projected Round: 2nd Round

Mouhammadu Jaiteh is not a highly touted France prospect like Tony Parker was. Still Jaiteh has his uses and he reminds me of his predecessor who was France center Rudy Gobert.