2025 Rankings: Center Positional Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the class of 2025 rankings getting a fresh update, it brought more clarity to which positions have the most depth and most talent. In this piece we take a closer look at the center spot in our positional breakdown, which is a pretty thin positional in this class as it stands now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Top Four</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630667' first='Nate' last='Garcia'], Damien, No. 1 center, No. 24 overall</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garcia was among our biggest overall stock-raisers and in his massive jump in the rankings he also took hold of the No. 1 center spot in the class. The 6-foot-10 sophomore was a walking double-double this season with 21-point and 15-rebound averages. Garcia is strictly an inside force who uses his combination of size, strength and touch to score on high percentage shots around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630633' first='Maper' last='Maker'], Fairmont Prep, No. 2 center, No. 37 overall</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The long, wiry and fluid five-man has a ton of skill in his arsenal. At 6-feet-11, the sophomore big man has shown the ability to step out on the perimeter and knock down catch and shoot shots from deep and is also effective as a catcher and finisher in the dunker spot. Maker is a sure-handed target for penetrating guards who draw an extra defender. Defensively, Maker is a disruptive rim protector who can change, block and alter shots around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630661' first='Preston' last='Ezewiro'], Mira Costa, No. 3 center, No. 41 overall</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ezewiro is straddling the line between center and power forward as his perimeter skill-set is a bit further along than the others on this list with his ability to knock down stand-still three's off the catch. Still, though, the 6-foot-7 big man is most effective when he's using his powerful frame and explosive athleticism to impact things around the rim. Ezewiro is a power finisher through contact who can rise above rim protectors for dunks. The offensive and defensive boards is where Ezewiro will make his case to be a next-level guy as he can be a game-changer in that aspect of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1896219' first='Jackson' last='Cryst'], Long Beach Millikan, No. 4 center, No. 66 overall</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cryst is a dual sport guy - volleyball being his other talent - who opened eyes on the hardwood this season. The 6-foot-10 center has great instincts and quick reaction time when contesting, altering and blocking shots around the basket. His background in volleyball has trained his quick-twitch leaping ability and mobility when changing ends of the floor in transition. We would like to see Cryst add some strength to his frame and base to better absorb and finish through contact in the lane.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->