Source: 2K Sports
Many big men struggle to adjust to the NBA level. When facing NBA bigs, they are suddenly facing opposing players that are bigger, stronger and taller than them. Additionally, learning the NBA post game is not an easy task. While many players simply out-athleticized players at every level before the pros, they may take as many as 3 years before being truly NBA ready. These top centers under the age of 25 should grow in to solid players in NBA 2K19.
Clint Capela (OVR 84)
Age: 24
Height: 6'10"
Team: Houston Rockets
Stats: 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks
Top Stats: Blocks, Rebounds, Strength
Capela was one of the more efficient centers in the league last year, due to his ability to get a lot of dunks from alley-oops or pick-and-roll plays. He decided to resign with the Rockets this summer and give another go at taking down the Warriors out west.
Andre Drummond (OVR 87)
Age: 25
Height: 6'11"
Team: Detroit Pistons
Stats: 15 points, 16 rebounds, 1.6 blocks
Top Stats: Vertical, Rebounds, Strength
Drummond is a legit force inside, offering post scoring, high flying dunks and solid interior defense. Now paired up with Blake Griffin inside, the combo should be putting on quite the show all season long. Welcome to the new lob city.
Steven Adams (OVR 84)
Age: 25
Height: 7'0"
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Stats: 13.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks
Top Stats: Blocks, Rebounds, Strength
Playing with Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony can stifle one's offensive production. However, Adams found a way to still average double-digit scoring figures due to his highly efficient field goal percentage. With Carmelo now gone to Houston, I wouldn't be surprised to see Adams' numbers move up even more.
Nikola Jokic (OVR 89)
Age: 23
Height: 6'10"
Team: Denver Nuggets
Stats: 18.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists
Top Stats: Passing, Rebounds, Strength
Jokic has quickly become the leader of the Nuggets team as a player that seemed to kind of come out of nowhere. Not long ago, Jokic was fighting for minutes off the bench. Now, the Nuggets are running their offense through him as one of the best passing big men in the game.
Joel Embiid (OVR 90)
Age: 24
Height: 7'0"
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Stats: 22.9 points, 11 rebounds, 1.8 blocks
Top Stats: Blocks, Vertical, Layups
The "Process" is quite the stat-stuffer, now that he's allowed to play full minutes. After struggling with injuries and being held in check by minute limitations, Embiid has mostly been unleashed. While he still gets held out of back-to-backs often, Joel is still a superstar in the league at such a young age.
Karl-Anthony Towns (OVR 91)
Age: 22
Height: 7'0"
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Stats: 21.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.4 blocks
Top Stats: Layups, Rebounds, Strength
Whether building for the future or playing for a title now, I believe KAT and Joel Embiid are your top two options at center. While neither player will steer you wrong, KAT still has the edge over Embiid due to superior efficiency.
Jusuf Nurkic (OVR 79)
Age: 24
Height: 7'0"
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Stats: 14.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.4 blocks
Top Stats: Blocks, Rebounds, Strength
"Nurk" will return to Portland after many rumors had him leaving this summer through free agency. While he had somewhat of a down season last year, Jusuf does have the potential to be a solid center option. Whether the grind of his first full season as a starter wore him out or opposing teams are figuring out how to cover him, Nurkic will have to resolve whatever issues he had and have a bounceback season this year.
Myles Turner (OVR 80)
Age: 22
Height: 6'11"
Team: Indiana Pacers
Stats: 12.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 blocks
Top Stats: Blocks, Layups, Strength
Turner possesses a lot of raw talent and potential, but still has plenty of room to grow. He is capable of stretching the floor on offense and protecting the paint on defense, but consistency is somewhat of an issue. Turner will be great someday, but just not yet.
Willie Cauley-Stein (OVR 79)
Age: 25
Height: 7'0"
Team: Sacramento Kings
Stats: 12.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 0.9 blocks
Top Stats: Layups, Rebounds, Strength
WCS had a much improved season last year as he was finally thrust into major minutes and a consistent role. He is very efficient on offense and well-rounded on defense, but should look to be more consistent and more imposing while defending the rim.
Deandre Ayton (OVR 79)
Age: 20
Height: 7'1"
Team: Phoenix Suns
Stats: None (Rookie)
Top Stats: Layups, Rebounds, Strength
As a Suns fan, I am both very anxious and excited to see how Ayton gets rolling right from the start. He is the first ever number one overall pick that the Suns have landed and they desperately need him to be a successful player. He has all the physical tools to be NBA-ready, but we will have to see how his transition to the NBA works out.
Other Top NBA 2K19 Young Centers
Name | OVR | Age | Team | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jarrett Allen | 78 | 20 | BKN | 6'11" |
Bam Adebayo | 78 | 21 | MIA | 6'10" |
Mohamed Bamba | 77 | 20 | ORL | 7'0" |
Nerlens Noel | 77 | 24 | OKC | 6'11" |
Alex Len | 77 | 25 | ATL | 7'1" |
Willy Hernangomez | 76 | 24 | CHA | 6'11" |
Richaun Holmes | 75 | 25 | PHX | 6'10" |
Jakob Poeltl | 75 | 23 | SAS | 7'0" |
Deyonta Davis | 73 | 21 | SAC | 7'0" |
Ivica Zubac | 73 | 21 | LAL | 7'1" |
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