Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 8:00 am  |  20 responses

2010 NBA Draft – Centers

Hassan who?

by Jeff FoxHassan Whiteside

We’ve come full circle with our NBA Draft positional rankings — the center crop has some good prospects but it is a shallow pool (we’ve only come up with nine prospects to rank), just like the point guard class we kicked things off with. The makeup of the center prospect class is pretty much what you would expect — some young, talented and raw prospects along with a few big, experienced players thrown in the mix. But the guy at the top of the list will more than likely make you say “Who dat?”

1) Hassan Whiteside | Marshall | Freshman
The mystery man. You’ve probably not even heard of Hassan Whiteside (we only first got wind of him recently ourselves). Here’s what we do know — he’s a long, athletic 7-footer with the ability to knock down outside jumpers or post up, is the top shot-blocker in the nation while also being one of the best rebounders. He’s also very raw and inconsistent. However, his size, athleticism and skill package make him a top prospect — he should be a top-3 pick whenever he enters the draft.

2) Cole Aldrich | Kansas | Junior
While Cole Aldrich doesn’t share the “upside” and potential of a prospect like Whiteside, he also doesn’t share the same risk of being a bust. A great rebounder and shot-blocker, Aldrich should be a dependable, long-term NBA player, but probably not a star.

3) Solomon Alabi | Florida State | Sophomore
Back again with an “upside” player. Solomon Alabi is another big (7-1 with a 7-5 wingspan), athletic, young center prospect. Not surprisingly blocking shots is his specialty, but he is also able to hit the outside jumper. But, like Big Daddy Kane said, he’s R-A-W.

4) Dexter Pittman | Texas | Senior
While Dexter Pittman might not be R-A-W, he definitely is B-I-G. But not as big as before — he was 366 pounds his freshman year but is only 290 now. A terrific offensive rebounder (he averages more offensive boards than defensive), despite the weight loss Pittman is still a load in the paint and is a highly efficient scorer.

5) Artsiom Parakhouski | Radford | Senior
Measuring in at 6-11 and 260 pounds, Art Parakhouski uses his size and strength to post crazy numbers for Radford (23 points, 13 boards per game). The Belarusian isn’t just picking on the weaker competition in the Big South Conference either — he had 23 & 14 versus Duke this season and 21 & 13 against Kansas.

Next in line: Jerome Jordan, Tulsa; Andrew Ogilvy, Vanderbilt; Miroslav Raduljica, Serbia; Paulao Prestes, Spain.

Read more of Jeff Fox at The Hoops Manifesto.

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  • Sam Raphael Chadwick Posted: Feb.5 at 8:10 am
    No Luke Harengody at either PF or C ??
    he had like 37 and 14 last night ? or something like that please give the man some recognition

  • Jeff Fox Posted: Feb.5 at 9:48 am
    Harangody is a great college player, but he’s not considered a top 10 NBA PF prospect right now.

  • Friday Bolts – 2.5.10 | Daily Thunder.com Posted: Feb.5 at 10:57 am
    [...] SLAM takes a look at center prospects for this draft. [...]

  • niQ Posted: Feb.5 at 11:01 am
    Oh wow, I didn’t know Hassan Whiteside was eligible for this year’s draft! Well I saw him ranked 1st in the 2011 draft (nbadraft.net I think you’re on that too?) but didn’t see him in the 2010 one so I based it on that, but I could be wrong. Anyways, props for getting his name out there!
    And btw Jeff, you know how you did the 365 draft remix? Here’s an idea, out of those years you chose, you should pick which was the best pick at that number for the top 10..or something like that. Doesn’t really make sense but an example might help. ie, Best third pick = Michael Jordan!

  • Jeff Fox Posted: Feb.5 at 11:32 am
    Nice idea, niQ. I might have to do that next offseason. As for Whiteside, he is in college so he is eligible for this year’s draft. Whether or not he will enter the draft, however, is another thing.

  • SLAM ONLINE | » Hot Topics Posted: Feb.5 at 3:22 pm
    [...] Top Center Prospects [...]

  • Rodger Bohn Posted: Feb.5 at 3:29 pm
    Thank you for FINALLY giving Hassan Whiteside some love. Hopefully I’ll be making the journey down to Marshall to catch him in person this year since he hasn’t had any televised games. I’ve seen him in person in HS and plenty of times on Synergy, and I can tell you that the upside that he has is unparalleled in this year’s draft by any other center.

  • Ryne Nelson Posted: Feb.5 at 3:32 pm
    Lots of rebounding and shot blocking potential here. Watch out fantasy basketball, and Hasheem Thabeet.

  • niQ Posted: Feb.5 at 4:50 pm
    You know who I’m starting to like this year? Serge Ibaka! He showed some potential in the summer league and has gotten at least 2 blocks in the past 5 (or 4) games!

  • Jeff Fox Posted: Feb.5 at 10:06 pm
    I was a big fan of Ibaka heading into his draft year. I’m glad he’s getting a chance to play a bit now.

  • In-N-Out Lucas Posted: Feb.5 at 10:09 pm
    I love Alabi’s upside. He seems smarter than Thabeet was last year.

  • Saku 39 Posted: Feb.6 at 12:49 pm
    How did Marshall land Whiteside? He looks good. To be honest, I wouldn’t draft any of these guys in the Top 5 unless they have a post game. No more Dwight Howards, please.

  • therighttoremainsalient Posted: Feb.7 at 7:43 am
    Anyone else completely over ‘seven footers with raw athleticism and plenty of upside’? This is the NBA. This is about PROFESSIONAL BALLERS. Give me someone that can PLAY THE GAME OF BASKETBALL today. Not someone who MIGHT with a lot of help next week!?

  • Lazarus Posted: Feb.8 at 3:06 am
    cole aldrich is the most overrated prospect. he is undersized, doesnt make up for it with athleticism nor skills. been able to get away with it at college but i dont see him as nothing more than a role player at the pros. Ogilvy has done nothing but dissapoint me this season. Pittman is the man, work in progress but if he gets the conditioning to play 30 minutes at a high level he could be one of the better centers in the league. Definitely have a role in the NBA either way.

  • Sam Raphael Chadwick Posted: Feb.8 at 5:56 am
    Thanks for the reply Jeff, its just weird that a player can be a serious player of the year candidate but not even be considered a great prospect I think at least he could have been a special mention on the PF page, he has a developed post game unlike a lot of the bigs in the game and can lead a team.

  • nora Posted: Feb.8 at 2:15 pm
    i think the biggest issue in this group of prospects is that for spot these boys may be drafted i don’t think the value will be returned. aldrich i think will be a really solid, long careered pro who will clog a lane, block from the weak side and be a cog in any offense working inside out – but do i want that in the top 5? or even top 10? i’m looking for a top 2 offensive option, clear starter or high level upside guy there. upside, though, is seemingly becoming tougher and tougher to draft right because of the culture and circumstance of making money when one is drafted so high – guys that really need to put in the heavy hours just don’t. i know nothing about hassan whiteside and god-willing he’s a gym rat but i never feel comfortable when the dubs draft a high ceiling/unknown production guy so early

  • Tarzan Cooper Posted: Feb.8 at 4:53 pm
    cole will def not be a star, but he will be a very valuable player. rebounding translates, so does shot blocking. cole is not undersized. he will need to add about 15 lbs of muscle(lang). hes pretty athletic for a center. not much of a scorer. nice free throw shooter, tho you wouldnt know it by his form. he will be fine.

  • NBA Draft Links (2/9) | Draft Rumors Posted: Feb.9 at 1:17 pm
    [...] is an updated ranking of the top Centers to enter the NBA Draft.  (SLAM [...]

  • Gordon Trivette Posted: Feb.11 at 1:28 am
    No Demarcus Cousins? The kid is a beast.

  • David Posted: Mar.23 at 9:29 pm
    Demarcus Cousins is the best big man prospect in this draft class.

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