2023 Updated New England Rankings: Top Centers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2023 New England rankings being updated recently, we've started breaking down the top players at their respective positions. Yesterday, I released the top true shooting guards list, which you can find by clicking <strong><em><a href="https://prephoops.com/2022/09/2023-updated-new-england-rankings-top-shooting-guards/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prephoops.com/2022/09/2023-updated-new-england-rankings-top-shooting-guards/">here</a></em></strong>. Now, it's time to focus on the big men - the center position. Here are the top four true centers in the updated 2023 New England rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://prephoops.com/new-england/rankings/2023-rankings/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prephoops.com/new-england/rankings/2023-rankings/">Click here to view the full, complete updated rankings.</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632740e9cdca1","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1459039"],"_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-6494dd77777ac"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Estella is an absolute beast. The 6'11" big man is going to very impactful at the next level at Tennessee, and he's going to flash his soft touch, his physicality, and his footwork. He's the prototypical, modern basketball center that can stretch the floor but also score inside. He can act as the pick-and-roll rim runner and he's a solid lob threat in transition and in the half-court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other end, Estrella is an excellent rim protector due to his high-level instincts and timing. He's not one to be bullied around either, as he's got the strength and length to guard any other player at the position. Estrella also has an excellent feel for the game, and a high IQ that allows him to guard multiple positions on the floor. Overall, Estrella is easily the best big in all of New England.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632741f9cdca2","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1203898"],"_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-6494dd77777ce"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kante is a super, super athletic center that utilizes that athleticism very well. Similarly to Estrella, he's got excellent timing and defensive instincts. The wingspan and length make Kante a high-level shot blocker and rim protector. He's also got extreme bounce and he is capable of jumping out of the gym. With that being said, Kante is a great lob threat and security blanket for when plays break down. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's also pretty crafty for the position and he simply finds ways to score despite not being the strongest for the position. As Kante narrows down his list and decides where he wants to play at the next level, one thing is certain, and that's that Kante is going to make for a great, great player at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632742d1cdca3","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1459059"],"_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-6494dd77777e7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McEldon is a high-level sleeper in my book that's flying under the radar far too much. He's truly a fantastic player that's got the chance to rise up the rankings with another solid year at Cushing Academy. He's a high level back-to-the-basket big that thrives down low. He's strong, he's physical, and super lengthy. He's also very athletic and he's just a dominant force down low. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>College programs should get on McEldon fast because he's only going to get better as his game continues to be taken to the next level. He's someone to keep an eye on as his recruitment picks up, and I'm confident it will just because of how talented McEldon really is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632743d0cdca4","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1464568"],"_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-6494dd77777fe"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simply put, Nielsen is a force down low. He's got a great back-to-the-basket game thanks to his pure strength and excellent footwork. He powers and muscles his way through opposing defenders a lot of the time, and he's great at getting to his spots down low. Nielsen has also displayed soft touch and post moves that project to continue getting better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hailing from Brimmer and May, I actually didn't get the chance to watch Nielsen when I attended the open gym because he was out of town. But, I'm excited to get over there again once the season gets going so I can watch Nielsen go to work, because I've heard it's special to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->