2021 NBA Draft: Ranking the top 5 centers available

Centers are always one of the most sought-after prospects in the NBA Draft. Plenty of high-scoring guards are now entering the NBA, but finding a talented big man isn't easy.

Seven-footers are not found everywhere, and whenever a team gets a chance to draft one, they grab that opportunity. James Wiseman of the Memphis Tigers got drafted 2nd overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Who are the best centers in the 2021 NBA Draft?

The 2021 NBA Draft is considered one of the deepest and most talented pools in recent years, and plenty of young prospects are set to enter the league.

However, it is an NBA draft class filled with guards and wings and not many centers and big men. The draft is scheduled to take place on July 29th, 2021. On that note, let's take a look at the top five centers entering the 2021 NBA Draft.

#5 Day'Ron Sharpe

Day'Ron Sharpe (#11) of the North Carolina Tar Heels

Big | Height: 6' 11" | Weight: 265 lbs | Age: 19

Day'Ron Sharpe of the North Carolina Tar Heels is expected to be picked either late in the first round or early in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft. Most mock drafts and rankings have him on the fence of the two rounds.

He is a hard-working and hustle-minded player who is great in rebounding but has an upside as a passer. Day'Ron Sharpe has drawn comparisons with the NBA's Kendrick Perkins and Al Jefferson.

In his lone season at UNC, Sharpe averaged 19.7 points, 15.7 rebounds, three assists, 1.6 steals and 1.9 blocks per 40 minutes. He has the potential to be a great defender in the NBA, both on and off the ball.

He is a resilient offensive rebounder with a nose for tracking down the ball; nearly half his boards in college were at the offensive end.

---

#4 Isaiah Jackson

Isaiah Jackson (#23) of the Kentucky Wildcats

Big | Height: 6' 10" | Weight: 206 lbs | Age: 19

Isaiah Jackson of the Kentucky Wildcats is an interesting prospect entering the 2021 NBA Draft. He is ranked 21st or below in many mock drafts and rankings, but ESPN has him getting selected at 11th in the draft.

He is an elite rim protector who averaged a whopping five blocks per 40 minutes in his lone season at Kentucky. Isaiah Jackson is athletic and explosive in offense and is a constant threat for lobs and rim runs.

Isaiah Jackson is also a great rebounder who hunts down offensive boards. He has decent offensive skills but has a long way to go if he intends to get buckets in the NBA. Jackson has been compared with Nicolas Claxton and Brandan Wright in the NBA.

#3 Kai Jones

Kai Jones (#22) of the Texas Longhorns

Big | Height: 6' 10" | Weight: 221 lbs | Age: 20

Kai Jones of the Texas Longhorns is expected to be around the 15-20 bracket of the 2021 NBA Draft.

He is a jack of all trades but master of none. From rebounding to shot-blocking and perimeter scoring to interior defense, Jones can do them all, but he isn't elite in any of the said categories. He has built a reputation for his versatility and someone who can complement any NBA team from the get-go.

Kai Jones is an incredible athlete who uses his size and skill to get buckets. He can finish with contact and has the poise and experience to make plays.

He shot 39% from beyond the arc in his sophomore year,r and his spacing and shooting make him a great big man for the pick-and-roll. Jones is also a versatile on-ball defender capable of switching across positions. He has been compared with Christian Wood in the NBA.

---

#2 Alperen Sengun

Alperen Sengun (#23) of the Beşiktaş Icrypex [Source: ID Prospects]

Big | Height: 6' 10" | Weight: 240 lbs | Age: 18

Alperen Sengun of the Beşiktaş Icrypex is one of the highly scouted European players. He is expected to crack the top 15 of the 2021 NBA Draft, and any team looking to draft a skilled big man must look at him.

Sengun won the Turkish League's MVP award in 2021 at just 18 and was a Turkish Junior League champion in 2020. He is considered to be one of the biggest sleepers in the upcoming NBA draft and could rise in the rankings as draft day approaches.

Alperen Sengun's offensive skill-set reminds people of Nikola Jokic, Nikola Vucevic and Domantas Sabonis. He has tremendous upside to be a go-to scorer in the NBA and could get buckets, thanks to the wide range of post moves in his arsenal.

He averaged 19.2 points with the Beşiktas Icrypex in the Turkish league, doing so on 70% true shooting along with 8.9 rebounds, 1.7 blocks,and 2.7 assists per game. The NBA must certainly pay more attention to this 6' 10" big man from Turkey.

---

#1 Evan Mobley

Evan Mobley (#4) of the USC Trojans

Big | Height: 7' 0" | Weight: 215 lbs | Age: 19

A highly skilled 7-foot big man, Evan Mobley is one of the most anticipated prospects entering the 2021 NBA Draft. He is expected to be drafted in the top five of the first round, and some rankings have him getting selected second or third.

Mobley can do it all on the basketball court. He can shoot from the perimeter and also finish near the rim with either hand. He is savvy with the pick-and-roll and has incredible potential to be a go-to scorer in the NBA. Any team looking to draft him will be getting a potential star in the making.

It isn't far-fetched to say that he could earn All-NBA or All-Defensive selections in his career. He is an excellent defender both on and off the ball.

Evan Mobley is also a willing passer with an eye for finding the open shooter or cutter. His height instantly makes him a lob threat, and he can rebound at a high clip as well. Mobley averaged 8.6 rebounds and three blocks per game in the USC.