When exactly it died is unknown, but this much we can be fairly sure of: The great college center is dead. Memories of the past recall dominant big men at the NCAA level like Lew Alcindor and Bill Walton for the UCLA Bruins, or Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan in more recent times. Maybe it’s because the NCAA’s short three-point line and use of zone defense favor guards as opposed to centers. Maybe it’s because the best center prospects, like Eddy Curry two years ago, head straight to the NBA. Maybe it’s simply because John Thompson is no longer coaching college ball. For whatever reason, the NCAA centers in today’s draft are not dominant forces, but more likely role players.

This year’s draft presents the most remarkable example of the shift. It is extremely unlikely that any center from the major college conferences is drafted. The top NCAA center prospect hails from Central Michigan, with the other two on this list from Western Kentucky and San Diego respectively. It’s possible only one college center is drafted at all.

At the same time, foreign centers have stepped in to take the place of their fallen American compatriots. From Vlade Divac to Zydrunas Ilgauskas, foreigners have made some of their greatest inroads at center. Yao Ming, last year’s top pick, is the first potential superstar center in some time. This year is no different. Yugoslavia’s Darko Milicic is a top prospect, whether he’s called a power forward or a center (or both). At least two other foreign centers are possible first-rounders, with others likely to go in round two. As noted, high schools have stepped up their production as well. A pair of top center prospects in this year’s draft have never set foot on a college court.

Overall, there is as usual little depth at the center position, which is why it is so unusual to see Chris Kaman, that prospect from Central Michigan, falling in mock drafts. Once considered a possible top five pick, now Kaman is not expected to go before the New York Knicks, who need a center, pick ninth. It’s not entirely impossible for him to fall out of the lottery altogether. That would be yet another blow struck to the college center.

Darko Milicic
(NBA.com profile)
The numbers: 9.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 0.8 apg, 1.6 bpg, 48.7% fg (Yugoslavia)
The measurements: 7-0, 245
The skinny: Though he’s often listed as a power forward, Milicic will probably end up playing center alongside Ben Wallace in Detroit. Assuming the Pistons aren’t pulling a remarkable bluff, their decision to pick Milicic is the worst-kept secret since, well, LeBron James to Cleveland. At just 18, Milicic is considered as close to a sure-thing prospect as there can be at that age. He has played in Yugoslavia’s first division since before his sixteenth birthday. Milicic is reportedly an extremely versatile player despite his young age, able to play in the post and on the perimeter. He also should develop into an effective shot-blocker with his height and long arms.
Sonics outlook: The Pistons won’t let it happen.

Chris Kaman
(NBA.com profile)
The numbers: 22.4 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 1.3 apg, 3.2 bpg, 62.2% fg (Central Michigan)
The measurements: 7-0, 255
The skinny: Just an ordinary starter his sophomore year, Kaman blossomed during his junior season to become one of the top prospects in the country. Albeit playing against fairly weak competition in the MAC, Kaman put up a frighteningly good statistical line. He was 13th in the nation in scoring, fourth in rebounding and 10th in blocks, all while shooting a terrific 62.2% from the field. The pertinent question is how well that will translate to the NBA. Kaman played well in high-profile matchups with Michigan and Duke, but has reportedly been unimpressive in pre-draft individual workouts. Kaman has not been helped by the track record of similar college centers in the draft, with many fans quick to label him as a “white stiff”. Kaman’s apparent recent fall on draft boards raises a difficult but critical question: Was he overrated before, or is he underrated now?
Sonics outlook: If Kaman gets by the Knicks, he’ll probably get to the Sonics 12th pick. Would the Sonics take him if one of the top power forwards (i.e. Mike Sweetney and Nick Collison) is left on the board? We won’t know until Thursday at the earliest, and perhaps never.

Zaur Pachulia
(NBA.com profile)
The numbers: 9.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 0.8 apg, 57.5% fg (Turkey)
The measurements: 6-11, 240
The skinny: A native of Georgia, Pachulia has been playing in the top Turkish league since the age of 15 and has developed into one of Europe’s best prospects. Capable of playing both forward and center, Pachulia will probably have to put on more weight to start at the latter position. Currently, his build is reminiscent of a slightly bigger version of Sonics forward Vladimir Radmanovic. For a European big man, Pachulia is reportedly an effective back-to-the-basket scorer who likes to play inside. He also runs the floor well. Pachulia is expected to be picked somewhere in the latter stages of the first round, though he could move up to the fringes of the lottery.
Sonics outlook: The Sonics worked out Pachulia on Tuesday, and he has an outside shot at being taken with one of their first-round picks.

Malick Badiane
(NBA.com profile)
The numbers: 11.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 0.9 apg, 48.3% fg (Germany)
The measurements: 6-10, 230
The skinny: Even in this world of global scouting, there are still surprises. Badiane was entirely off the radar of even the closest followers of the NBA until last month, when he suddenly zoomed into the first round of several mocks. Badiane wowed scouts with an impressive workout during the Chicago pre-draft camp. He is still extremely raw as a player, only natural as he’s just 19 and played in Germany’s second division last year, his only season in Europe. Badiane has tremendous athletic ability, and should be a premier shot-blocker at the NBA level. His rebounding should also be solid. Badiane is also expected to go in the latter stages of the first round, with his name frequently linked to the Dallas Mavericks.
Sonics outlook: Badiane is probably a little too far away from contributing for the Sonics, at least with their current picks.

Kendrick Perkins
(NBA.com profile)
The numbers: 27.5 ppg, 16.4 rpg, 7.7 bpg (Ozen HS (TX))
The measurements: 6-10, 285
The skinny: After leading his Ozen High School team to a 96-3 record the last three years, with two of the losses coming in the Class 4A championship game, Perkins has chosen to take his game to the pros. He dominated the high school level last year, putting up some of the best numbers of any high school early entrant in this year’s draft. High school numbers don’t mean much, however, and the scouting reports that he is an extremely polished post player for a high schooler are probably more impressive. Perkins also blocked a ton of shots in high school, and should continue to be a defensive presence in the NBA. At the same time, he is a little short for an NBA center and his work ethic has been questioned.
Sonics outlook: A possible gamble with the 41st pick.

James Lang
(NBA.com profile)
The numbers: 21 ppg, 14 rpg, 3 apg, 4 bpg (Central Park Christian School (AL))
The measurements: 6-10, 305
The skinny: The operative word with Lang is Big with a capital B. Officially, Lang is tipping the scales at more than 300 pounds – which would make him one of the heaviest players in the NBA next season – and that’s after he lost as much as 70 pounds to get in better shape. Obviously, conditioning is a big concern with Lang. How many minutes a game can he give you even in his prime? At the same time, the size can be an asset and Lang will be tough to get around for rebounds. Lang is raw, and most believe he has done himself a disservice by going straight to the NBA instead of polishing his skills in college. Nonetheless, someone will gamble on him early in the second round.
Sonics outlook: Another possible second-round roll of the dice.

Slavko Vranes
(NBA.com profile)
The numbers: 3.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 70.0% fg (Serbia & Montenegro)
The measurements: 7-4, 250
The skinny: Did we say big? With 7-5 Siberian Pavel Podkolzine withdrawing his name last week, Vranes – officially listed at 7-4 but unofficially listed at 7-6 or even 7-7, which would tie him for the tallest player in NBA history – Vranes is the resident untested tall European in this year’s draft. Vranes’ size is the only way to explain how a player with his stats could be considered a prospect. (Vranes shot just 24% in EuroLeague play.) Considering he barely played overseas, Vranes is almost certainly not ready to play in the NBA. However, some team will be willing to take a shot on him – with the added bonus of not having to pay him if he stays overseas – in the hopes that he eventually develops into a player like Gheorge Muresan in his prime. Vranes could sneak into the first round, but might not go until late in the second round. Who knows?
Sonics outlook: Yet another possible gamble. You try predicting the second round.

Chris Marcus
(NBA.com profile)
The numbers: 15.9 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.6 bpg, 52.9% fg (Western Kentucky, 2001-02)
The measurements: 7-1, 285
The skinny: The tragic story of Marcus deserves far more than one paragraph, but unfortunately that’s all he gets here. Academically ineligible his first year with the Hilltoppers, Marcus became a star during his third year, leading the NCAA with 12.1 rebounds per game and finishing 11th in blocks, while adding nearly 17 points per game on excellent shooting. At that point, Marcus was considered a possible lottery pick, but then injuries kicked in. He played just 15 games during the 2001-02 season, and decided to return to school for a fifth year of eligibility (earned because he completed his college degree in four years) instead of entering the draft. Marcus had surgery on his ankle over the summer, but was only able to play in three games. There were rumors his foot problems would force Marcus into premature retirement, but he was recently cleared to play. After scarcely playing in two years, Marcus is far from playing shape, but he’ll still almost certainly go in the second round.
Sonics outlook: If the Sonics don’t pick a center in round one, Marcus could be a potential high-return pick with limited risk at 41. He’s a strong possibility.

Jason Keep
(NBA.com profile)
The numbers: 18.0 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.2 bpg, 60.4% fg (San Diego)
The measurements: 6-10, 280
The skinny: The first thing you notice about Keep is that he looks like he belongs in a biker bar or in the WWF, not on an NBA basketball court. The second thing you notice, watching him play, is that he does belong. A Northwest native who attended high school in Pullman, WA, Keep started out at North Idaho JC before heading to Oklahoma State and then finally to San Diego in a search for more playing time. Keep led the Torreros past Gonzaga in the WCC Tournament, averaging a double-double. Keep improved his stock in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, winning all-tournament honors by averaging 16.3 points and shooting nearly 65% from the field. Keep is an extremely physical player who compares to Sonics reserve Vitaly Potapenko. He’s a potential second-round pick.
Sonics outlook: As noted, Keep is probably a bit redundant for the Sonics, and not expected to go until after pick 41.