Rankings Update: The Centers

We finish our positional breakdown for the Class of 2025 with a look at some notable Centers in New England.   [player_tooltip player_id='2341272' first='Ben' last='Ahmed'] claims the top spot in these rankings after announcing his move up into the Class of 2025. He's one of the top big men in the country and has continued to rack in scholarship offers in recent weeks. Two other high performing centers, [player_tooltip player_id='1529070' first='Badara' last='Diakite'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2396725' first='Samuel' last='Nosakhare'], both have the ability to play at the highest levels of college basketball down the road and currently hold the 2nd and 3rd spots in these rankings.   This is another impressive positional group that has the ability to make an impact at all levels of college basketball and should continue to make an impact on the hardwood in New England this winter.    Today, we take a look at Centers to watch from the Class of 2025:    McConnell, who manned the paint for the Middlesex Magic in the HGSL this summer, is one of the top academic prospects in New England. An imposing force on both ends of the floor, McConnell appears to be in the best shape of his high school career. This summer he played with a high motor, his movements looked more fluid, and he ran the floor with more force. He has solid hands, does a great job of carving out space in the low post, and is a crafty finisher over either shoulder. He's even shown the ability to knock down the occasional spot up three. Defensively, he's a strong rebounder, can block shots on or off the ball, and is vocal as a last line of defense. He's a prospect that's on the radar of numerous high academic programs on the east coast and should have a variety of strong programs to choose from after this season.     Shi, who had some impressive performances for the Wiz Kids on the 3SSB circuit this summer, makes his way to Brewster Academy after starring for Brookline last winter. A versatile prospect with hints of perimeter skill, Shi appears to have leaned out this summer, improving his agility and mobility in the process. Defensively, he does a good job of challenging shots around the rim and moves his feet well enough to defend ball screens in a variety of ways. He has good instincts off the ball and is a threat to jump passing lanes for easy steals that lead to transition baskets. On the other end of the floor, he's turned himself into a reliable three point shooter that can also score through contact in the post. He's comfortable handling the ball in the open floor, has good vision as a passer, and plays with a high motor. He's a definite scholarship prospect that has the chance to catch the eyes of D1 coaches this fall as Brewster has already welcomed 30+ programs to their open gyms.     Kelley, who fits the bill of a modern center, impressed at various stops along the way this summer. A standout at NERR's Elite 75, the All-Academic Showcase, and with the Middlesex Magic, Kelley makes his way to Kimball Union for a post-graduate year after two strong seasons at Central Catholic. He's one of the better floor spacing big men in New England and has worked hard to make his jumper one of the strengths of his game. He can spot up in the corners, knock down threes out of the trailer spot, and has even developed an off the dribble component to his perimeter game. He's not afraid to mix it up on the inside and does a good job of finishing with either hand around the rim. Defensively, he made it a point to dominate the glass this summer and, ultimately, had multiple impressive performances as a rebounder. He supplies a decent amount of rim protection and has proven to be a high IQ defensive anchor. He's another serious scholarship candidate that will have every opportunity to impress coaches this winter in the NEPSAC.     Mathiang, a native of South Sudan, makes his way to South Kent via North Carolina, after an impressive summer on the travel circuit. One of a select few 7'ers in New England, Mathiang has vastly improved his game over the course of the last few years. Not surpisingly, he has impressive size and length, which both aid in his ability to be a strong presence in the paint on the defensive end of the floor. He's able to cover a lot of ground and contest shots that most people can't, while showing the willingness to get physical in the paint. He does a good job of rebounding and runs the floor hard in transition. Offensively, he's mostly a rim finisher, but does a good job of catching and finishing high. He's a threat as a roller out of ball screens and does a good job on putback chances on the offensive glass. He needs to continue to get stronger, but as he does, he'll have the chance to impress coaches that are looking for a center prospect with intriguing long-term potential.     Wise-Normil, who heads to Premier Prep for a post-graduate year after a terrific senior season at East Boston, was a force in the paint this spring and summer for MCIB. An athletic and physical big man, Wise-Normil is one of the top transition big men in the region. He runs the floor as hard as anyone, aggresively pursuing the opportunity to finish at the rim with authority. He has a strong base and uses it to carve out space and hold positioning in the post. He's shown the ability to hit a mid-range jumper and appears as though he may be able to expand his game out to the perimeter. Defensively, he does a terrific job on the glass, is a solid low post defender, and show quick twitch athleticism that allows him to be a switchable defender. He can guard a few dribbles on the perimeter and is a solid shot-blocker when coming from the help side. He's done enough to intrigue a lot of Division III programs and has the chance to play his way higher with a solid showing this winter.

We finish our positional breakdown for the Class of 2025 with a look at some notable Centers in New England.