The Center position is enjoying a renaissance in NBA circles. Once the dominant position for fantasy basketball (anyone with prime Shaq on their teams back in the day know this to be true), the leagues tallest players became an afterthought in the early 2010’s as teams went smaller and faster on a nightly basis. From the turn of the decade until about 2017, if you didn’t grab a top 5 center in your draft, you were better off stocking up on guards and scoring wings, then waiting until the mid to late rounds to address the center position.
But with the emergence of “scoring centers” like Jokic, Embiid, Giannis and more, the big men of the NBA are once more a hot commodity come draft day. Which is why it’s important to know the value of a good 5 on your fantasy team. Being aware of which players are strictly rebounders vs. multi category contributors is key. It’s also good to remember that just because their team isn’t having much real life success, doesn’t mean that there aren’t some sneaky good options out there for fantasy purposes.
We present to you the top 25 centers for fantasy basketball as the 2021-22 NBA season kicks off:
| # | Player | Reason |
| 1 | Nikola Jokic | The reigning MVP can post a triple-double at a moment’s notice |
| 2 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | A multi category contributor who seems to have invested in his jumper this offseason |
| 3 | Karl-Anthony Towns | Does a little bit of everything well, regular fantasy stud |
| 4 | Joel Embiid | Will be leaned on heavily as the Ben Simmons drama drags out. Focal point of Philly-O |
| 5 | Anthony Davis | Health is always a concern, but otherwise in a great spot in LA with LeBron & Co. |
| 6 | Damontas Sabonis | Has nights where he can literally carry your fantasy team. Multi-Cat appeal |
| 7 | Bam Adebayo | May see assists dip with Lowry in town, but still a top end C |
| 8 | Nikola Vucevic | Even with new faces in town, Bulls offense likely to still run through him and LaVine |
| 9 | Julius Randle | May be one of the most under appreciated players in the league |
| 10 | Rudy Gobert | Boards, blocks, and FG% will come easily with him on your team |
| 11 | Deandre Ayton | Looking to prove the Suns run last year was no fluke (and that’s he’s worth a max deal) |
| 12 | Clint Capela | Rebounding machine on a Hawks team that’s on the rise |
| 13 | Christian Wood | Going to be the poster child of “good stats, bad team” this year |
| 14 | Pascal Siakam | Injured to start the year, not a traditional C, but fantasy owners will take it |
| 15 | John Collins | Fresh off a new contract extension, is 20ppg within reach for him? |
| 16 | Jarrett Allen | Pencil him in for a double/double every night |
| 17 | Jaren Jackson Jr. | This could be the year he takes “the leap” and shoots up these rankings |
| 18 | Richaun Holmes | Expect him to improve on his 14pts/8reb per game he posted in 2020-21 |
| 19 | Myles Turner | Averaged 3.4BLKs per game last year, a true rim protector in IND |
| 20 | Kristaps Porzingis | Hard to get excited about him after watching his production last year… |
| 21 | Jusuf Nurkic | Looking to bounce back after an injury cost him all but 37 games in 2020 |
| 22 | Jonas Valanciunas | Will be a fixture at C in New Orleans this year. Numbers will improve with Zion’s return |
| 23 | Draymond Green | COULD get you a triple double, or could put up 2pts on the night, he’s a gamble |
| 24 | Mitchell Robinson | Darkhorse candidate to lead the league in REBs this season |
| 25 | Evan Mobley | Pencilling him in as our break out star at C this year |