New England's 2026 Centers

Our positional breakdowns for the Class of 2026 wrap up today with a look at the Centers.   The top ranked Center in this update is [player_tooltip player_id='2341292' first='Collins' last='Chidera Onyejiaka'], who also checks in at #3 overall in the rankings. A nationally ranked prospect, Chidera Onyejiaka is a force in the paint that dominates games with his combination of size, athleticism, power, and agility. He continues to improve as a post scorer, is a quality rim runner, controls the boards on both ends of the floor, and makes his mark as an imposing shot blocker around the hoop.   As the modern game moves closer to positionless basketball, the traditional center position seems to be the one prospects least associate with.   With that knowledge, it's no surprise that only seven true centers appeared in this rankings update.   Below are five Centers of note from New England's Class of 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='1595667' first='Will' last='Higgs'] (#54)   A big time presence around the rim, Higgs is a good athlete that plays with a high motor. He battled some injuries this winter, but has really impressed in New England when he's been healthy. He moves well at 6'11", getting up and down the floor easily, while also covering ground quickly laterally. He does a good job of defending ball screens, can rebound in traffic with his athleticism, and is a good outlet passer. Offensively, he has the ability to score with his back to the basket, but is at his best when rolling hard to the rim out of ball screens or attacking defenders from the elbows and short corners.   [player_tooltip player_id='2325783' first='Merrick' last='Smith'] (#63)   After an early season adjustment period to the speed and physicality of the NEPSAC, Smith was playing the best basketball of his career late in the season for Kimball Union. At 6'9", he has good size for the position and looks to have added muscle to his frame over the last 12 months. He does a good job of running the floor, establishes position in the post with early work, and does a nice job of showing his hands off guard's drives. He moves well in space and is effective playing as a roller or pop guy out of ball screens. He continues to show a willingness to play through physicality and is a strong rebounder on both ends of the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='2341402' first='William' last='Carty'] (#69)   There can be an argument made that Carty was the top public school big man in all of New England this winter. The 6'10" center at Watertown has completely transformed his body over the last year and now shows some athletic pop and the ability to play harder for longer spurts of time. He's a big presence in the paint, at 6'10" with a big frame, and has the ability to dominate both ends of the floor with his feel and instincts. He does a good job of seeling in the post, shows his hands when he wants the ball, and now tries to dunk everything around the rim. He's improved as a rim runner, can really rebound the basketball in traffic, and does a good job of blocking shots at the high point.   [player_tooltip player_id='2341400' first='Zach' last='Baum'] (#75)   The Noble & Greenough School big is one of the more intriguing prospects in this class with his comination of positional size, versatility, and playmaking. He's a long 6'8" that moves well in space, is willing to play through contact around the rim, and has a high motor on the glass. While he can score around the basket and in the mid-range, it's the development of his game as a playmaker off the bounce that really stands out. He averaged over five assists per game this winter and really impressed with his decision making and the ability to find teammates for easy baskets. His versatility extends to the defensive end of the floor where he's capable of guarding multiple positions and playing a variety of ball screen defenses.   [player_tooltip player_id='1578530' first='Jacob' last='Purington'] (#161)   A traditional big out of Berwick Academy, Purington impressed this winter with added elements to his offensive game. He continues to show the ability to score around the basket, using his frame to carve out space and soft hands to finish with touch, but also showed a budding feel for the game as a passer, operating out of the low block and high post. He sees over the defense with his size and delivers passes on time and on target to teammates. He's even starting to knock down standstill threes out of the trailer position. Defensively, he's a physical presense on the glass that also does a really good job of defending in the paint without fouling.   Keep an eye out for our breakdown of prospects on the Watch List, coming soon!

Our positional breakdowns for the Class of 2026 wrap up today with a look at the Centers.