2026 Rankings Update: The Centers

We finish our positional breakdown for the Class of 2026 with a look at some notable Centers in New England.   [player_tooltip player_id='2341292' first='Collins' last='Chidera Onyejiaka'] claims the top spot in these rankings. One of the nation's top stock risers this summer, Onyejiaka is a force on both ends of the floor. He finishes with authority around the rim offensively, while altering and blocking shots at a high rate on the defensive end of the floor. He's had multiple high majors in the gym already this fall and recently picked up an offer from West Virginia.   This group, while small in numbers, 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 2026:    We highlighted Higgs just a few weeks ago in our Notable Newcomers article, as he's new to the rankings in New England after coming to the region from New Jersey. The Northfield Mount Hermon big man is a good athlete that gets up and down the floor well. He's a strong interior finisher that has a variety of post moves, the ability to finish over either shoulder, and the athleticism to finish above the rim with authority. He's a solid screen setter that does a good job of mixing up rim rolls and pops to soft areas. He's a high level defender that can move his feet in space and protect the rim, while providing a vocal presense on the back line. Moving to the NEPSAC should only help his recruitment as he'll face high level competition night in and night out.     Baum, a rankings riser in the spring, had a nice summer on the travel circuit with the Middlesex Magic. A versatile big man, Baum has continued to show signs of being able to play in the post or on the perimeter. He does a nice job of putting the ball on the floor as a straight line driver, but continues to excel around the rim. He's got good hands, soft touch in the paint, and the ability to finish over bigger defenders with floaters and short jumpers. Defensively, he's capable of guarding on the wing or in the post, utilizing his length to keep opposing ball-handlers in front of him while still contesting shots at the rim. On top of all that, he's a high motor rebounder that shows great pursuit of the ball in space. He's a solid prospect that should have a big role this winter at Nobles and will undoubtedly be on college coaches radars come the spring.     Carty, who spent the sumer running with Team White Mamba, looks to be in the best shape of his basketball career and is taking full advantage of that on the court. A physical presence in the paint, Carty has developed into a solid low post scorer that does a nice job of establishing position early, showing his hands, and finishing through contact with power. He's a good rim runner that runs hard rim to rim and shows his hands in the process. He knows how to do his work early to establish position, catches almost everything thrown at him, and can score with touch over either shoulder. Defensively, he's capable of providing some rim protection and does a good job of reading situations in ball screens. He should be one of the top big men in the MIAA this winter and could end up on the radar of scholarship programs come the spring.     Purington is another prospect that we covered in the Notable Newcomers article a few weeks back and is a prospect that could end up as a riser in the next rankings. The Berwick Academy big man continues to improve his conditioning, allowing him to capitalize on his high motor for longer stretches. He's a good passer that can operate from the elbows or out of the high post and does a good job as a roller out of ball screens and dribble hand offs. His scoring comes mostly around the rim, where he has good touch and the ability to turn over either shoulder on the low block. Defensively, he's moving better laterally, allowing for more options in ball screen defense, while continuing to show his ability to rebound the basketball at a high clip. He should be a standout this winter for Berwick and will be a prospect to monitor in the spring.     Smith followed up a terrific season at Messalonskee with a productive summer on the travel circuit with the New England Storm. A big man headed to Kimball Union Academy, Smith will look to make a name for himself this winter against a higher level of competition in the NEPSAC. He has quick hands, can move his feet well, and provides solid rim protection on the defensive end of the floor. Offensively, he's a capable low post finisher that has gotten stronger and more athletic over the last year, allowing him to finish with more authority through contact. He's comfortable putting the ball on the floor for multiple dribbles, can occasionally knock down a perimeter jumper, and shows a good feel as a passer out of the post. A definite scholarship prospect, Smith should have multiple coaches in the KUA gym this fall and winter to check in on his progress.

We finish our positional breakdown for the Class of 2026 with a look at some notable Centers in New England.