Center: Fantasy Basketball Rankings, Tiers and Analysis for 2024-2025 Drafts

October 11, 2024

Cody's center fantasy basketball rankings, tiers, and analysis for 2024-25 drafts. The top NBA centers for 9-category fantasy basketball drafts.

The offseason is over! Fantasy basketball draft season is here, and managers should start identifying their building blocks, targeting sleepers, and avoiding potential busts.

Another crucial position in 9-category fantasy basketball leagues is the center position. This position can heavily influence the blocks and rebound categories and is one of the positions that can determine wins and losses in fantasy basketball.

When evaluating the center player pool, finding guys who can add value to multiple categories is essential. In this piece, I'll rank the center-eligible players and sort them into five tiers. It's usually ideal to grab at least one player from the top two tiers; otherwise, you will have to specialize in other positions to try and create an advantage over your league. 

The Top 20 Centers in 9-Category Fantasy Basketball Leagues

These rankings break down the top 20 centers into five tiers:

• Tier 1: Cornerstone Pieces — First-round picks that you can build your roster around.
• Tier 2: Alpha Dogs — Not quite first-rounders, but All-Star-caliber players who can fill up the stat sheet.
• Tier 3: Beta Dogs — Less consistent than Alpha Dogs but capable of delivering huge performances that can swing matchups.
• Tier 4: High-Floor Players — Consistent and reliable, but not likely to deliver explosive performances regularly.
• Tier 5: High-Upside Players — Players with significant potential who can provide a major edge over the competition if they become more reliable.

Note that these rankings focus on players whose primary position is center, though they may have eligibility for other positions. All players listed have center eligibility across all major fantasy league platforms.

Tier 1: Cornerstone Pieces

1. Nikola Jokic - Denver Nuggets (C)

2. Victor Wembanyama - San Antonio Spurs (C)

The Victor Wembanyama experience with the San Antonio Spurs during the 2023-24 season was perplexing at times -- not because of his performance, but due to the way the Spurs managed his playing time.

Wembanyama averaged just 29 minutes per game, yet in that time, he was sensational, posting averages of 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks, and 1.2 steals. He shot 46.5% from the field, 32.5% from three-point range, and 79.6% from the free-throw line.

Despite his impressive stats, Wembanyama was unjustly denied an All-Star appearance and arguably robbed of the Defensive Player of the Year Award, a sentiment echoed by many of his peers.

With the Spurs expected to be more competitive this year, his minutes should increase. In 9-category fantasy leagues, Wembanyama has virtually no weaknesses, making him not only a bona fide first-round pick but arguably the first pick in the draft alongside Nikola Jokic.

Victor Wembanyama in his rookie season:

21.4 PTS
10.6 REB
3.9 AST
3.6 BLK

Legendary 💪 pic.twitter.com/mFgDUvG6nI

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 13, 2024

3. Joel Embiid - Philadelphia 76ers (C) 

4. Anthony Davis - Los Angeles Lakers (C/PF)

Tier 2: Alpha Dogs

5. Domantas Sabonis - Sacramento Kings (C/PF)

6. Chet Holmgren - Oklahoma City Thunder (C)

In his third year (and second active season), Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren gave Victor Wembanyama a run for his money in the Rookie of the Year race.

After missing his entire first season due to injury, Holmgren put those concerns to rest by playing in all 82 games during the 2023-24 season. He impressed with his efficiency, shooting 53% from the field, 37% from three-point range, and 79.3% from the free-throw line.

Holmgren filled the stat sheet, averaging 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 0.6 steals per game. Despite the lower assist numbers, he is a natural passer and can be one of the leaders in the position in that category.

As he continues to gain experience on a talented Thunder team, a breakout season in his second year wouldn’t be surprising. Fantasy managers should target Holmgren near the top of their drafts.

“You just don't see that from a rookie."

Chet Holmgren's defensive impact was IMMEDIATE last season!#NBADefenseWeek pic.twitter.com/e6ESHgrTFY

— NBA (@NBA) September 6, 2024

7. Bam Adebayo - Miami Heat (C)

8. Alperen Sengun - Houston Rockets (C)

9. Karl-Anthony Towns - New York Knicks (C/PF)

Tier 3: Beta Dogs

10. Jaren Jackson Jr. - Memphis Grizzlies (C/PF)

11. Myles Turner - Indiana Pacers (C)

One of the most underrated players in fantasy basketball over the past few seasons has been Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner. While many centers struggle in the three-pointers made and free-throw percentage categories, Turner excels in both.

Over the last four seasons, he has averaged 1.5 three-pointers per game and boasts a free-throw percentage of 77.4%. For managers looking for an insurance policy in those categories, Turner is a must-draft mid-round pick.

12. Nikola Vucevic - Chicago Bulls (C)

13. Nicolas Claxton - Brooklyn Nets (C)

Tier 4: High Floor

14. Rudy Gobert - Minnesota Timberwolves (C)

15. Jarrett Allen - Cleveland Cavaliers (C)

For managers seeking to add a reliable depth player, Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers is a strong option. Since joining the Cavs, Allen has been a steady presence in the Eastern Conference frontcourt, averaging a double-double with 15.6 points and 10.3 rebounds.

He’s also solid defensively, averaging 1.1 blocks and 0.7 steals per game. While he does struggle in the three-pointers made category, as he rarely steps behind the arc, he remains a valuable depth addition for managers later in drafts.

16. Jalen Duren - Detroit Pistons (C)

17. Deandre Ayton - Portland Trail Blazers (C)

Tier 5: High Upside 

18. Mark Williams - Charlotte Hornets (C)

A center with real breakout potential is Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams. Over the last two seasons, Williams has shown glimpses of solid play, averaging 10.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 64% from the field for his career. The big question mark for Williams, however, is health; he has only appeared in 62 games during his first two years in the league.

With ISO players like LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Miles Bridges on the roster, Williams has the opportunity to benefit from dump-offs and a lack of defensive attention, leading to easy high-percentage shots.

He’s also a strong rebounder and defender, making him the best rebounder on the Hornets roster, responsible for much of that load. If Williams can stay healthy, he’s a name worth monitoring for fantasy managers willing to take a risk late in drafts.

Need a fully healthy season of LaMelo + Mark Williams...

Would no doubt be at the top of the league in alley-oops pic.twitter.com/ko7MrNAmMa

— NBA University (@NBA_University) August 17, 2024

19. Isaiah Hartenstein - Oklahoma City Thunder (C)

20. Walker Kessler - Utah Jazz (C)

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