Even with Andre Drummond off to Connecticut a year early, it's a great year for bigs in high school basketball.
After providing our take on high school basketball's
top point guards last week, we move to the paint for a breakdown of the nation's elite centers.
Even without Andre Drummond, who was expected to be a member of the 2012 class but fast-tracked to arrive at Connecticut this fall, it's a great year for bigs. Thirteen of the nation's top 30 players stand 6-foot-8 or taller with several true centers in that group.
Only players from teams that will be considered for our national rankings are included on the list, so no
Mitch McGary (No. 2 overall player in Class of 2012 Top 100) or
Nerlens Noel (No. 3 overall player in Class of 2013 Top 100).
Next week our preseason power rankings continue with our look at impact shooting guards. Rankings are based on team success, statistics and projected impact on the 2011-12 high school basketball season.
Center Power Rankings 
DaJuan Coleman could finish as the most highly-decorated player in the Class of 2012.
Photo by Nick Koza
Coleman has a chance to head to the next level as the most decorated player in the Class of 2012 even if he has slid a bit as a pure prospect in the eyes of some. The Syracuse-area star averaged over 24 points and 13 rebounds per game as a junior while leading the Red Rams to a Class A state championship three-peat. Jamesville-DeWitt is 75-7 in Coleman's three years in the program.
2. Tony Parker, 6-9, 270, Sr., Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.)What to look for in 2011-12: MaxPreps.com's National Junior of the Year last winter, Parker is looking to write a successful final chapter to a storied high school career. Parker posted 17.5 points and 15.6 rebounds per game to help Miller Grove capture its third-straight Class AAAA state title in 2010-11. The Wolverines will tackle one of the nation's toughest schedules this season and will figure prominently in the preseason national rankings.
3. Isaiah Austin, 7-0, 210, Sr., Grace Prep (Arlington, Texas)Committed to BaylorWhat to look for in 2011-12: Austin may be playing with something to prove as a senior at Grace Prep. The wildly-talented 7-footer had an up-and-down summer and was suspended for Grace Prep's state championship game appearance last season. Despite a loaded roster, Austin and the Lions struggled against elite competition a year ago. They can shed that reputation in December at the prestigious City of Palms Classic.
4. Cameron Ridley, 6-10, 250, Sr., Fort Bend Bush (Richmond, Texas)Committed to TexasWhat to look for in 2011-12: As a sophomore, Ridley helped the Broncos go 36-4 and capture the Texas 5A state championship. After a bit of disappointing campaign as a junior, Fort Bend Bush should rejoin the elite in the Lone Star State with the future Texas Longhorn leading the way.
5. Joell James, 6-10, 280, Sr., Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.)Committed to North CarolinaWhat to look for in 2011-12: Incredibly with his 6-10 frame and talent enough to warrant an offer (which he recently accepted) from North Carolina, James has never been a focal point at Dwyer. The Panthers had an all-star 2011 senior class that included Jacoby Brissett – Florida's starting quarterback last Saturday against LSU. James managed to produce 8.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a junior, helping Dwyer go 33-2 and capture Florida's 5A state title. Expect those numbers double this season.
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6. Adam Woodbury, 7-0, 230, Sr., Sioux City East (Sioux City, Iowa)Committed to IowaWhat to look for in 2011-12: The numbers were there for Woodbury as a junior, posting 18.7 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. The challenge as a senior will be making the Black Raiders a state championship contender after getting bounced in the quarterfinals last year.
7. Jahlil Okafor, 6-10, 270, So., Whitney Young (Chicago, Ill.)What to look for in 2011-12: Although Okafor played some junior varsity ball at Whitney Young last season, being one of the best age-group players in the Western Hemisphere has to count for something. Okafor spent part of his summer with USA Basketball's under-16 national team, winning gold at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico. He posted 14.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game during the event.
BeeJay Anya, DeMatha
Photo by Larry Lawson
We are expecting big things from DeMatha this season and Anya is a big reason for the optimism. The bullish junior has spent a lot of time playing high-level basketball over the past six months, participating in USA Basketball's U16/17 pool and playing for Team Takeover, one of the top summer circuit programs.
9. A.J. Hammons, 6-10, 275, Sr., Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)What to look for in 2011-12: Hammons is in the best shape of his life and in prime position to shine at Oak Hill surrounded by Division I talent. Whether he takes advantage is another question. Observers won't have to wait long to find out – the Warriors play a regular-season game Oct. 21.
10. Robert Upshaw, 6-11, 260, Sr., San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.)What to look for in 2011-12: This is a wild card pick since Upshaw was ruled ineligible as a junior after transferring from nearby Edison. He spent his summer playing alongside No. 1 overall senior
Shabazz Muhammad with Dream Vision, an experience that should serve him well.
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11. Willie Cauley, 6-10, 215, Sr., Northwest (Olathe, Kan.)What to look for in 2011-12: Like Upshaw, Cauley sat out last year following a transfer. How is he preparing for his return to the court? By playing wide receiver for the Raven football team, naturally. Yes, at 6-10, Cauley is not just playing but dominating on the gridiron this fall, hauling in six TD passes in Northwest's first two games this season.
Kennedy Meeks, West Charlotte
Photo by Michael McLoone
Meeks led a young West Charlotte team to North Carolina's 4A state title as a sophomore. The Lions will get a big test at the Chick-fil-A Classic in December.
13. Shaquille Cleare, 6-9, 285, Sr., The Village School (Houston, Texas)Committed to MarylandWhat to look for in 2011-12: Cleare certainly has the talent to warrant more love on this list, but is unlikely to make much noise at The Village School.
14. Daniel Ochefu, 6-9, 225, Sr., Westtown (Pa.)Committed to VillanovaWhat to look for in 2011-12: Thanks to Ochefu, Westtown will be a participant in some of the biggest showcase events and tournaments in the country, including the Chick-fil-A Classic in South Carolina.
15. Phillip Nolan, 6-10, 210, Sr., Riverside University (Milwaukee, Wis.)What to look for in 2011-12: Nolan was an early Christmas gift for Riverside, bolstering a team that went 23-3 and reached the state semifinals a year ago. The slender center transferred from independent power St. Benedict's Prep in New Jersey and is being pursued by the likes of Arizona, Baylor and Minnesota.
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16. Clifton Alexander, 6-8, 240, So., Curie (Chicago, Ill.)What to look for in 2011-12: Alexander, ranked No. 12 in the MaxPreps Class of 2012 Top 100, gained valuable experience over the summer participating in national events like adidas Nations. Curie went 25-3 a year ago and lost just one senior.
17. Gavin Ware, 6-8, 245, Sr., Starkville (Miss.)Committed to Mississippi StateWhat to look for in 2011-12: Ware would love to get Starkville back to 2009-10 form, when it went 31-2 and won a state title. The Yellowjackets dipped a bit last year, but Ware did his part at over 19 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Zach Peters is busy this fall tearing it up as a receiver on the Prestonwood Christian football team.
Photo by Neil Fonville
Peters will team with superstar junior forward
Julius Randle to give the Lions the best post tandem in the country. Sticking with the football theme, Peters is another hooper getting it done on the gridiron this fall, hauling in 17 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns in a 62-34 win over John Paul II of Plano last month.
19. Landen Lucas, 6-9, 250, Sr., Westview (Portland, Ore.)What to look for in 2011-12: Lucas got lost in the shuffle at Findlay Prep, but should shine in his return home with one of the best programs in the state.
20. Landry Nnoko, 6-11, 220, Sr., Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)What to look for in 2011-12: Expect new Montverde Academy head coach Kevin Boyle to put Nnoko's length and budding skills to use. The Cameroon native didn't make much noise at Montverde as a junior, but some strong showings toward the end of the summer suggested he is capable of more this year.
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Demetris Morant throws down over a pair of spectators at the City of Palms Classic slam dunk contest last December.
Photo by Jim Redman
Morant is a high school center who could slide to the power forward spot at the next level. He won't be asked to carry the load for the loaded Gaels, but his role should increase over last year when he spent much of the season hashing out an eligibility situation after transferring from Arizona.
22. Trey Thompson, 6-9, 215, So., Forrest City (Ark.)What to look for in 2011-12: Expectations for Thompson are sky high in the Natural State. He earned all-league honors as a freshman and helped Forrest City reach the 5A state tournament while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.
23. Trayvon Reed, 6-10, 190, So., Shiloh (Snellville, Ga.)What to look for in 2011-12: Shiloh hit the transfer jackpot in the offseason, getting five-star senior
Robert Carter and Reed, a potential five-star prospect in the 2014 class. The Generals struggled to a 12-13 record a year ago, so will be interesting to see how big of an impact the new duo can have.
24. Thomas Hamilton, 6-9, 255, Jr., Whitney Young (Chicago, Ill.)What to look for in 2011-12: While Okafor has emerged as the more celebrated twin tower at Whitney Young, Hamilton has demonstrated the ability to dominate, posting 27 points and 18 rebounds in a win over Al Raby of Chicago last season.
25. Zach Banner, 6-8, 295, Sr., Lakes (Lakewood, Wash.)What to look for in 2011-12: Banner is one of the nation's top offensive tackle recruits on the gridiron, but will once again play a key role for Washington's defending Class 3A state champions.
