Rankings Release: The 2026 Centers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last spot in our positional breakdown series for the <em>Class of 2026</em> is the <em>Centers</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, we'll highlight our top ranked <em>Center</em> (<strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2641692' first='Cheickna' last='Sylla']</em></strong>), as well as four more prospects of note at the position:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2641692"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b8e6078c458"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sylla, the <strong><em>#1</em></strong> <em>Center</em> and <strong><em>17th</em></strong> ranked prospect overall, is coming off a strong summer in which he showcased his ability to take over games as a low post scorer. The lefty is physically imposing on the block and does a great job of tracking balls down on the offensive glass. His motor is always up on the offensive end of the floor and he has counters to all of his scoring moves. Defensively, he takes up a lot of space in the paint and is an elite defensive rebounder with his combination of size, power, and agility. A big time prospect, he's a surefire Division I recruit that will garner more wide-ranging interest this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1595667"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b8e6078c4bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Higgs, the <strong><em>#3</em></strong> <em>Center</em> and <strong><em>35th</em></strong> ranked prospect overall, has the ability to make plays around the rim with his length and quickness off the floor. He does a nice job of moving laterally, can get up and down the floor quickly in transition, and uses his length to his advantage as a finisher and rim protector. He's got a good feel for finding soft spots in the defense as a roller out of screens and is a plus lob threat off of drives. Defensively, his quickness off the floor allows him to be a high level rim protector. The skilled prospect has a high ceiling and will be a priority recruit at the mid-major level this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2875018"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b8e6078c50a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rabie, the <strong><em>#6</em></strong> <em>Center</em> and <strong><em>86th</em></strong> ranked prospect overall, has a nice combination of size, skill, and feel for the game. At 6'11" with a big frame, he's a difficult cover for opponents simply due to his size. But, on top of that, he has a high level of skill and the ability to finish plays as a scorer with his back to the basket. He's a plus athlete, makes some good plays as a passer, and can really rebound the basketball on the defensive end of the floor. One of the more unique prospects in the region, he's a scholarship level prospect that should pop on coaches radar this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2895420"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b8e6078c54f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ekukwai, the <strong><em>#7</em></strong> <em>Center</em> and <strong><em>103rd</em></strong> ranked prospect overall, is a force around the rim on both ends of the floor. He is an elite athlete that has a powerful frame and looks to punish rims any chance he gets. He does a great job of rim running, rolls hard to the rim out of screens, and can finish with either hand around the basket. He's a high level rebounder, can guard laterally on the perimeter, and does a nice job of blocking shots both on the ball and from the help side. He has the physical tools to peak the interest of scholarship level programs in his final season of high school basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2818608"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b8e6078c593"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sarpong, the <strong><em>#10</em></strong> <em>Center</em> and <strong><em>235th</em></strong> ranked prospect overall, continues to evolve and add elements to his game. With his length and positional size, he has the ability to be an impact defender on the interior. He plays with a high motor on both ends of the floor, which allows him to rebound it at a high level, and shows some good instincts as a passer out of the post. He's still a little raw, but has developed his ability to finish in the paint. He's a high academic prospect that will have wide ranging interest from Division III programs throughout New England this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye out later this week for more positional breakdowns for the <em>Class of 2026</em>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->