Top 5 centers in ACC to watch out for during 2024-25 college basketball season ft. PJ Hall
The ACC has an interesting crop of centers coming in the upcoming college basketball season. From undersized players listed as forwards but playing the center role to a group of transfers, there's certainly many types of centers in the ACC.
Here are the league's top five players who will fill the center role in the upcoming season.
Top five ACC centers to watch out for during 2024-25
#5 Maxime Raynaud, Stanford
Stanford is unlikely to be competitive in the ACC, but it won't be Raynaud's fault. The seven-foot-one Frenchman has shown steady improvement in each of this three years at Stanford. A year ago, Raynaud averaged 15.5 points per game and 9.6 rebounds per game.
A 36% 3-point shooter, Raynaud fits the modern definition of a center. He can bang inside and grab rebounds or pop out to drain perimeter jumpers. He should be up for another big season for Stanford.
#4 Ven-Allen Lubin, North Carolina
Lubin is only six-foot-eight, but on an undersized North Carolina team, the Vanderbilt transfer will fill the center's role.
He played a season at Notre Dame and last year at Vandy before moving on to North Carolina. Last season, Lubin managed 12.3 ppg and 6.3 rpg and was a 33% 3-point shooter.
Carolina figures to field a guard-heavy team. Armando Bacot was the post threat for the Heels a season ago, but Lubin will fill that role for Carolina this coming season.
#3 Lynn Kidd, Miami
The six-foot-10 Kidd seems determined to travel the entire ACC. He started his career at Clemson and played three seasons at Virginia Tech. Last year, he really took off, averaging 13.2 ppg and 6.5 rpg at Tech.
Miami figures to give Kidd free reign to continue to improve. He's not a shooter or a shot blocker but is a solid rebounder and inside scorer.
#2 Khaman Maluach, Duke
The top center prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, Maluach figures to be raw but imposing. The seven-foot-one South African has ended up as 247sports's No. 4 player in the entire nation.
Maluach can rebound and block shots but is also a legitimate threat as a 3-point shooter. Duke and Jon Scheyer figure to give Maluach enough time and space to develop. While Cooper Flagg is the Blue Devil who will get the most attention, Maluach might be the most important.
#1 PJ Hall, Clemson
Hall is listed as a forward, but the six-foot-10 Tiger will fill the center role for Clemson. He has starred for the last three seasons. A year ago, he scored 18.3 ppg while grabbing 6.4 rpg and is a 33% 3-point shooter.
Clemson and Hall surprised many in the NCAA Tournament. With another season together, Hall might even lead the Tigers to the Final Four in 2025.
Which ACC big men are you looking to see in 2024-25? Let's hear your thoughts below in the comments section: