Top 10 All-Time Best Centers in the EuroLeague

After the point guards, we turn our attention to the key players in the paint. If the EuroLeague is known for its physicality, the centers play a big part in that.

Our criteria for this Top 10 remain similar: impact on the game, raw talent, clutch performance, consistency over time, and statistics. The only difference is that we’ll place greater emphasis on dominance.

10) Tibor Pleiss : The Big 3 of the most recent EuroLeague dynasty consisted of two guards familiar to every basketball fan: Vasilije Micic and Shane Larkin. Time, however, tends to overshadow the third member of the Anadolu trio, even though he was so instrumental in securing the back-to-back titles (2021 and 2022). Far from being the most spectacular on the list, Tibor Pleiss built his EuroLeague career on reliability combined with unwavering consistency. A tall big man, the German possessed an outside shot as well as remarkable ball-handling skills for his position. First at Baskonia, then in Barcelona, and finally in Turkey, he established himself as one of the continent’s very best rotation players. When he came off the bench, spacing and rim protection followed almost automatically. This skill set was highlighted during Anadolu’s glory years, where he demonstrated that he could shoulder responsibilities while maintaining his uniquely distinctive style. The perfect counterpart to Micić, on the court the two gave the impression of sharing the same mind, given their consistently precise offensive movement. But Tibor Pleiss never secured the role of undisputed starter despite his talent. His defensive limitations also represent flaws too significant to hope for a higher ranking.

9) Ekpe Udoh : Much like Luka Doncic last time, Ekpe Udoh is our standout player of the day, given just how dominant he was. Looking back, the Nigerian stands out as the cornerstone of Željko Obradović’s Fenerbahçe. In just two short seasons, he outperformed 99% of the basketball players who have competed in the EuroLeague over the decades. Why did the Turks suddenly transform into a wall whenever powerhouses from all corners of Europe showed up? Ekpe Udoh! Why did both big men and guards struggle to mount their offenses? Ekpe Udoh! He is the symbol of Istanbul’s golden era, capped by the 2017 title where he was named MVP of the Final Four. Only two centers have achieved this feat. And rightly so! Without the ball, he had the same effect as poison: exceptional rim protection, remarkable timing on the block, and great mobility to defend the pick-and-roll. Then, once he got the ball, his incredibly effective style gave him a significant edge over his opponents. With him, it was all about driving straight to the basket. Especially since his ball-handling was far from lacking. However, we can’t overlook his limited time in the EuroLeague. Just two seasons—much like Luka Doncic—prevent him from aiming higher.

8) Brandon Davies : The Ugandan international is a divisive figure. Even now, in the twilight of his career, Brandon Davies continues to spark debate in European basketball circles. Some consider him overrated, placed on a pedestal solely because of his offensive talent. His critics do not deny his talent, but they do point out his inconsistency as a shooter. Conversely, many rank him among the most talented ball-handling centers in EuroLeague history. The former Kaunas and FC Barcelona player combined his exceptional mobility with a clinical mid-range game. When Brandon Davies positioned himself on the perimeter of the paint, opponents and spectators alike knew exactly how it would end. Tough in the low post, setting screens was another interesting facet of his game. His technical and physical superiority reached its peak in 2019 with his selection to the All-EuroLeague First Team. Offensively, there’s nothing to say; defensively, however, it was much more complicated. Far from dominating the boards, Brandon Davies also lacked elite rim protection. A profile too lopsided, with no team titles to his name, relegating him to this 8th place.

7) Nikola Milutinov : We’re moving from the worst to the best rebounder on this list. A current EuroLeague veteran, Nikola Milutinov is the youngest player in our rankings. At 31, the Serbian still has a bright future ahead of him, particularly when it comes to winning the EuroLeague—a title he’s been chasing for over a decade now. The 7-foot-1 giant plays the old-school way. A giant in the paint, he towers over the competition on both ends of the court when it comes to grabbing the ball out of the air. Intelligent, the fundamentals of basketball hold no secrets for him. Pick-and-rolls, well-timed passes, back-to-the-basket play, physicality, blocks… Everything he does is effective. Never a big move, never a huge leap, never a lightning-fast shift, but intelligent positioning in every situation. Aside from two seasons with Partizan and CSKA Moscow, Nikola Milutinov has dominated the competition in Europe while wearing the red-and-white jersey of Olympiacos. A beast plagued by repeated injuries that have significantly slowed his progress. With only two Final Four appearances (2017 and 2019), his trophy case remains too sparse given the defensive monster he is.

6) Bryant Dunston : Tibor Pleiss was the offensive weapon. But behind him, the team’s defensive anchor was Bryant Dunston. With two players in this ranking, it’s easier to see why Efes was so unstoppable during its back-to-back games. Let’s imagine their opponents managed to limit the damage on defense. Held Micic’s crew to around sixty points and managed to get past the first blue line. Behind them, they had to contend with nothing less than a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Because yes, before arriving in Turkey in the summer of 2015, Bryant Dunston was already thoroughly familiar with the Old Continent. At Olympiacos, the fans discovered a big man with a rare basketball IQ. Over the years, he built a unique reputation. His presence on the roster set the tone. Rim protection: check—timing on the glass: check—control of the pick-and-roll: check—and rebounding: check. He was a threat on offense as well, but that pales in comparison to his defensive impact. That slight lack of talent is what ultimately cost him a spot in the Top 5. It’s worth noting that it was difficult to decide on his position, but we ultimately decided to place him in the center category.

5) Ante Tomic : Like a long, calm river flowing effortlessly toward its final destination, Ante Tomić navigated the European scene without ever being pushed around. Far from being the most physically imposing center of his generation, the Croatian played basketball with fluidity and ease. With a series of fakes and hook shots, his technique spoke for itself. A pioneer of this new wave of big men with a silky touch, Ante Tomić made the game look easy. Watching him, everything seemed so simple. His passes consistently found the right spot, his shots were never forced, and his positioning perfectly matched what the game demanded of him. Simply put, he was the embodiment of basketball IQ. Then again, let’s be honest: when you’re 7 feet 2 inches tall, it helps a little. Having broken out in his hometown of Zagreb, the 44th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft would go on to have his best seasons with FC Barcelona, where he consistently averaged over 10 points per game in the EuroLeague. But the numbers don’t capture how this quiet leader orchestrated the game from the paint. At least, during the regular season. We have to admit that once the playoffs began, he didn’t have the presence needed to galvanize his team. A player brimming with talent who—on the continental stage—has only a single Final Four appearance to his name (2010). Romanticism is all well and good, but at this stage, we need at least one title.

4) Nikola Vujcic 🍫 : Croatia has certainly produced some real gems! We’re staying in the Balkans to take a closer look at another standout player named Nikola Vujčić. Yes, a “standout player”—because there are very few centers quite like him. Far ahead of his time, it’s almost surprising he ever graced the courts of the NBA, given how he ruled the Old Continent with an iron fist. The two-time EuroLeague champion with Maccabi Tel Aviv (2004 and 2005) had so many tricks up his sleeve that it was nearly impossible to defend against him. In the media shadow of his teammate Anthony Parker, Nikola Vujcic possessed a magical touch. In addition to rebounding, he finished with finesse near the basket or dished out assists here and there. Today, players like Jokic, Sengun, and others have almost made this extraordinary skill commonplace for a big man. Except that this was the early 2000s. A period of rapid change, certainly, but a time when physicality was still largely preferred over technical skills for this type of player. In addition to heralding the arrival of this new trend, the Croatian excelled in everything he undertook. He is the only center to have racked up a plethora of triple-doubles among the elite of continental basketball! A slight lack of longevity keeps him off the podium.

3) Kyle Hines 🥉 : He’s 2 centimeters taller than Austin Reaves, the same height as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and nearly 5 centimeters shorter than Luka Dončić. Yes, we’re talking about our No. 3 on this list of the greatest EuroLeague centers of all time. Kyle Hines is kind of like our Draymond Green (minus the temperament). Overlooked by the NBA largely because of his 6-foot-6 height, the American chose to establish himself over 14 years as every basketball player’s nightmare. From point guards to big men to forwards, everyone feared him. His lack of height was more than made up for by his tenacity, impeccable timing, and relentless effort. Sometimes it’s a good thing not to be as tall as the basket. At his peak, he defended every area of the court with ease. His mobility, combined with excellent court vision, led to three Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) awards. Only three players have achieved this feat. And offensively, he has nothing to be ashamed of. Though less talented than most of his peers, he was nonetheless highly effective. Where he truly stands out from the competition is in his list of achievements. In any team sport, team trophies will always take precedence over individual awards. Leading his team to victory is the mark of a true great. With Olympiacos’s incredible back-to-back titles (2012–2013), followed by two more championships with CSKA Moscow (2016 and 2019), he boasts an impressive number of EuroLeague titles compared to its rivals. Ahead of them, however, stand two phenomenal players, two MVPs with elite-level performances.

2) Jan Vesely 🥈 : The list of regular-season MVPs—the highest individual honor possible—includes players from every position. Well, at least since 2019. Before that year, our big men were practically overlooked by the jury. Much like in the NBA, offensive talent consistently trumps defensive quality. That explains it. It took a phenomenon, a diamond, for centers to finally appear on this list. The chosen one comes straight from the Czech Republic. His recent performances are in line with an almost natural decline given his age (35). But in his prime at Fenerbahçe, he was something else. Without a doubt, THE best offensive center of all time! A story made all the more incredible by the fact that the current FC Barcelona player has evolved in a truly remarkable way. Once a very energetic player, he has become a more refined scorer in the paint as well as a dream teammate for every point guard he’s played with. His evolution at the free-throw line perfectly illustrates this progression. From 53% in his rookie season, he now shoots around 75% or even 80%. The three-time All-EuroLeague First Team selection made history once again when he won the first-ever EuroLeague title for a Turkish club (2017). Although solid defensively, our GOAT is still a bit more well-rounded.

1) Walter Tavares 👑 : He doesn’t come from the Old Continent, nor even from the land of Uncle Sam. No, our number one grew up on a small archipelago off the west coast of Africa. A country with a smaller population than Marseille: Cape Verde. Yet, among all the giants mentioned, Walter Tavares towers over the paint at 2.21 meters. After arriving at Real Madrid following a disappointing stint in the NBA, “Eddy” immediately made European basketball his own. Earlier, we described Jan Vesely as the greatest offensive talent in the modern EuroLeague. On the other side of the court, the undisputed leader in this regard is the Merengue center. His mere presence transforms an average defense into a formidable wall around the rim. Rebounds, blocks, intimidation… He dominates in every category. Walter Tavares also leverages his physical superiority on offense. A far cry from the original “penguin,” the Cape Verdean possesses a soft touch that holds its own. The only center to have won the Final Four MVP title (2023) constantly forces his opponents to devise a specific game plan to avoid being destroyed in the paint. One might think his size makes him fragile, but that is absolutely not the case. He has simply been the franchise player for the world’s greatest club for nearly a decade.