These 5-star big men coming to destroy small ball

The death of the big man has been greatly exaggerated. Even as the NBA is caught in the middle of its small ball fascination, there have been an eye-opening number of centers with star potential entering the league in the last two years. Karl-Anthony Towns, Kristaps Porzingis, Nikola Jokic, Myles Turner and Jahlil Okafor are just a few examples.

Another impressive wave of big men is on its way. While the recruiting class of 2016 was defined by point guards, the class of 2017 is all about centers. These players are ready to take over college basketball in the 2017-18 season and then likely move on to the NBA a year after that.

The top three players are all big men in ESPN’s class of 2017 rankings, and all three are uncommitted. That does not include Brandon McCoy (No. 6), Nick Richards (No. 8) and Auburn commit Austin Wiley (No. 19) who earn an honorable mention here. Below, you’ll find an introduction the top center recruits in the country. Go small at your own risk.

(All photos courtesy of Jon Lopez / Nike)

From: Bahamas

Size: 7-feet, 240 pounds

Recruiting snapshot: Kansas, Kentucky, Arizona

Ayton has been considered by many to be the best long-term prospect in high school basketball since he was a sophomore. He’s only reinforced that distinction in the summer heading into his senior year.

Ayton brings a special blend of size, athleticism and coordination. He has a nearly perfect physical profile for a modern center, with a 7’5.5 wingspan amplifying a pro-ready 240-pound frame that gets off the ground quicker than it has any right to. To put it another way: Ayton is more explosive than anyone who can match his strength and stronger than anyone who can match his explosiveness.

Ayton averaged 20.1 points per game on 58.3 percent shooting in 23 games on Nike’s EYBL circuit this summer, and placed third in the league by averaging 11.5 rebounds per game. He thinks of himself as a face-up big man and might be the first player to ever earnestly compare himself to Kristaps Porzingis. He canned 14 threes at only a 25 percent clip in EYBL play, but is already a very good free throw shooter, making 78 percent of his foul shots this summer.

The one knock on Ayton is that he doesn’t always look like a great competitor. Is that a symptom of a non-stop grassroots schedule or something more concerning? If he puts it all together, he will be the front-runner for the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. At the moment, Kansas would appear to be the favorite for his one-and-done season. The Jayhawks have supposedly had an assistant at every one of his games since he came to the United States in ninth grade.

From: Atlanta, Georgia

Size: 6’9.5, 255 pounds

Recruiting snapshot: Duke, Harvard, Kentucky, Georgia

Wendell Carter doubles as the most polished player and most accomplished player in the country. This is what his resume looks like entering his senior season:

Carter flipped to Team CP3 this season, and proved to be one of the most efficient players on the circuit. He was shooting better than 70 percent from the field entering Peach Jam, while placing No. 8 in rebounding (10.2 per game) and No. 4 in blocks (2.5 per game). He can score with his back to the basket and already has a dependable mid-range jump shot. There’s no need for projection with Carter because he’s already a great player on both ends of the floor.

Carter does not have the bounce of the other players on this list, but he’s already blessed with grown man strength and a 7’4 wingspan that should allow him to play center even at the highest levels despite being an inch or two shorter than scouts like. He’s also an A-student who skipped the first EYBL stop of the year so he could act in a school play.

Harvard is reportedly getting serious consideration, but Duke looks like the favorite at this point. Whoever gets him will have a great competitor and a lifelong winner who should be ready to produce on a college court from day one.

From: Harlem, New York

Size: 6’11, 205 pounds

Recruiting snapshot: Duke, Harvard, Kentucky and many more

The first thing everyone notes about Bamba is his length, and for good reason. His 7’9 wingspan would appear to be the biggest in NBA history and his 9’7 standing reach is in elite company, too.

Bamba put those tools to good use on the EYBL this year, where he easily led the circuit in rebounding (13.9 per game -- 2.3 ahead of No. 2) and finished No. 3 in blocks per game (3.1). Add in his lateral quickness and Bamba has all the tools to one day grow into an all-world defender. Bamba wants to learn the game, too. He even flew out to Boston for Daryl Morey’s Sloan Summit this year to hear a seminar on defending the pick-and-roll.

Right now, Bamba’s biggest objective is to add strength and begin to refine his offensive game. His recruitment is supposedly wide open, but this could be another Duke vs. Kentucky battle.

From: New Orleans, Louisiana

Size: 6’11, 215 pounds

Recruiting snapshot: Committed to Western Kentucky

One of the best centers in the country just committed to .... Western Kentucky? Believe it. Those who have seen Robinson play this summer think he might be the most talented player to enter Conference USA since John Calipari was bringing the likes of Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans to Memphis.

Robinson is a superior run-and-jump athlete. At nearly 7-feet, he’s one of the most explosive players in this class. He made a statement at Peach Jam when put up 23 points, nine rebounds and four blocks against Ayton and Cal Supreme.

Robinson led the EYBL in blocks (4.1 per game) and finished second in rebounding (11.6 per game) while averaging 15.5 points. He has a long way to go skill-wise, but his speed and ability to get off the ground quickly is truly rare for a player his size. Rick Stansbury got himself a good one.