NBA Young Center Rankings: Top 10 Young Centers in the Game

In this column, I will take a look at the best young centers in the NBA, players that are clearly the cream of the crop when it comes to "new age" centers and represent the league's future at what was once the most important position in the game.

Andrew Bynum

I'm a bit concerned about the knee injuries he's suffered in each of the last two seasons, but when healthy, it's clear that Bynum has been coached by arguably the greatest center of all-time in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Bynum is a gifted scorer and shooter (14.0 ppg on 55 percent shooting) that is only going to get better with time. Lest anyone forget, while Bynum is n his fourth season in the league, he is just 21 years old and won't be 22 until next season. Injuries notwithstanding, I believe Bynum is the best young center in the game today.

Al Horford

I know the 6-10 Horford, the third overall pick in the 2007 draft, is more of a natural power forward who has been forced to play the center position since he came in the league as a highly touted rookie last season, but I love his tenacity, and ability to record double-doubles (10.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg) despite not being one of the Atlanta Hawks' first three options on offense. Besides, I love the fact that Horford, who averages just over 31 minutes per game, will stand up to anyone. When questioned about the fact that he'd be going up against the mighty Boston Celtics and Kevin Garnett in last season's playoffs and whether he'd be intimidated or not, Horford replied 'I don't roll like that." Well, readers, Al Horford can roll with me any day.

Brook Lopez

Lopez, the tenth overall pick in the 2008 draft, is averaging a solid 12.6 points per game on a solid 51.2 percent shooting mark from the field in just 29.9 minutes per contest for a New Jersey Nets team that features Devin Harris and Vince Carter as their go-to players on offense. The twin brother of Robin Lopez, is also averaging 8.0 rebounds per game and almost two blocks per contest all while draining a blistering 81.8 percent of his free throws. Lopez could be at the very top of this list come next season.

Marc Gasol

I'll keep my thoughts on Gasol, a second round draft pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2007, simple by saying that it's clear that the rookie center and younger brother of Pau Gasol, is advanced beyond his years and knows where his strengths lie. Gasol, who, at 24-years-old, is a bit older than most of the rookies and young players on this list, is averaging 11.0 points per game on 52.4 percent shooting while pulling down 7.1 rebounds per contest in 30.0 minutes per game and looks like he has a bright future anchoring down the middle for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Marreese Speights

Speights, the 16th overall selection of the 2008 NBA draft, has been nothing short of a revelation for the Philadelphia 76ers who haven't had a quality big man since Moses Malone last laced 'em up. Everyone knew Speights had talent coming out of the University of Florida, but suspected it would take several years for the gifted big man to put it all together. Well, Speights is clearly the Sixers best low-post player in his rookie season and I expect big things out of the sweet-shooting big man who is averaging 8.0 points per game on a solid 53.2 percent shooting mark from the field in just 15.2 minutes per contest. Expect Speights to improve on all his statistics with more minutes next season.

JaVale McGee

McGee, the 18th overall selection in last year's draft, is another player that the experts thought would take years to fulfill his full potential, but, like Speights, is already way ahead in his NBA learning process. The seven-footer is averaging 6.3 points per game this season on 48.6 percent shooting from the field in just 15.1 minutes per game. Like Speights however, McGee is clearly the Washington Wizards' best low post player even as a rookie and should see big increases across the board next season.

Joakim Noah

Following a tumultuous rookie season, the 6-11 Noah is finally starting to fulfill some of the promise that made him the ninth overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. While the workman-like low post player is averaging just 5.4 points per game, he does shoot a stellar 53.5 percent from the field while pulling down 6.7 rebounds per contest in just 21 minutes per game. While Noah will never be much of an offensive player, his effort around the basket and energy, should be enough to make him an effective player for years to come.

Robin Lopez

While Lopez, the 15th overall draft pick in 2008, is clearly not as gifted as his brother offensively, he is a seven-footer that can run the floor, block shots and put the ball in the hole when necessary. I fully expect Lopez to improve on his averages of 2.9 points per game on 52.0 percent shooting and 1.7 rebounds per game in just 10.4 minutes per game, in his sophomore season as the Phoenix Suns begin to fade out the slow-footed Shaquille O'Neal.

Greg Oden

At this point, I'm thinking Oden, the No. 1 overall selection of the 2007 draft, is closer to being Sam Bowie than the dominant low post player that many thought would immediately turn the Blazers into instant contenders. Oden, who averages 9.0 points per game on 56.8 percent shooting and 7.2 rebounds in just 22.5 minutes per game, sat out his entire rookie campaign due to knee surgery and has missed stretches of time this year as well with foot and knee injuries. While I hate to blame injuries on a guy, I think it's becoming fairly obvious that Oden will never be game-changing player many thought he would be. Oden doesn't run the floor very well and reminds me of an aging Shaquille O'Neal even as a 21-year-old second-year player.

Kosta Koufos

Koufos, the successor to Oden at Ohio State and the 23rd overall draft pick of the Utah Jazz in 2008, is a skilled shooter (50.7 percent) who can stroke it from distance though he has to improve both, his rebounding, (2.9 per game) and quickness. Koufos is averaging 4.7 points per game this season in just 11.4 minutes per game and has an extremely bright future in the league as a near, carbon copy of Jazz starter, Mehmet Okur.