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NBA Position Rankings: Top 10 centers in the NBA

By Spencer R. Henderson

Apr 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the net past Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the net past Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz, Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Apr 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) blocks the shot by Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) in the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-85. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Rudy Gobert

He is not in a big market, but this center plays big on the defensive side of the ball.

This center is one of the most intriguing young big men in the NBA. His 7-foot-1 inch body frame combined with his freakish athletic attributes put him in position to be extremely successful in 2017. Gobert has the physical attributes of a dominant big man.

This year, Gobert recorded a game in which he scored 18 points and grabbed 18 rebounds against the Los Angeles Lakers. That is not a bad stat line for a 24-year-old center.

While Gobert is not a great free-throw shooter, he is above average inside the paint. He shot 55.9 percent from the field and 58.5 percent from the free throw line in 2016.

He is also great at crashing the boards. His 11.8 rebounds per game were among the highest rebounding totals for the position. If he improves as a rebounder it could be dangerous for opponents.

Once Gobert figures it out on the offensive end and develops a go-to move, he could easily become a top-five big in the NBA. He only averaged 9.1 points per game last year, but maybe he can bump that up a little if he improves from the free throw line.

The Jazz are betting he is the kind player who will mature beside Gordon Hayward, and catapult Utah into the Western Conference Playoffs.

Next: A hero redeemed?