Top 10 White NBA Centers of All Time: Dominant Big Men Who Couldn’t Jump Over a Phone Book
The NBA has seen its share of dominant big men, and the Top 10 White NBA Centers of All Time stand out for their skill, toughness, and impact in the paint. From Bill Walton’s flair in orchestrating offense and defense to Arvydas Sabonis’ unmatched vision and court presence, each player brought something distinct.
As the list unfolds with legends like George Mikan laying down foundational skills and Nikola Jokić exhibiting modern versatility, it becomes apparent that these athletes each left indelible marks on the sport. Highlighting their unique contributions raises a compelling question about what truly defines greatness at the center position.
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Table of Contents
#1: Nikola Jokić
- Position: Center
- Height/Weight: 6’11″/284 lbs
- Teams: Denver Nuggets (2015-present)
Nikola Jokić, often referred to as “The Joker,” has redefined what it means to be a center in the modern NBA. Since joining the Denver Nuggets in 2015, Jokić has emerged as one of the most versatile players in the league, known for his incredible court vision, passing ability, and scoring.
His unique skill set allows him to play as a point center, facilitating the offense from the post and making his teammates better. Jokić’s impact on the team has been monumental, leading the Nuggets to multiple playoff appearances and earning MVP honors. His pinpoint passing, soft touch around the rim, and high basketball IQ make him a nightmare for defenses.
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- Accolades:
- NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP): 2021, 2022 & 2024)
- NBA All-Star: 6 times (2019-2024)
- All-NBA First Team: 4 times
- NBA Western Conference Finals (2020)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2016
- Led NBA in assists: 2021
#2: George Mikan
- Position: Center
- Height/Weight: 6’10”, 245 lbs
- Teams: Minneapolis Lakers (1948–1954, 1955-1956)
George Mikan was a pioneering force in professional basketball, playing for the Minneapolis Lakers. Known as the first true dominant big man in the NBA, Mikan’s physicality and skill reshaped the role of a center.
His influence was so profound that it led to changes in rules and strategies, including the widening of the lane, famously known as the “Mikan Rule.”
Mikan’s playing style was characterized by his remarkable scoring ability and defensive presence. He led the Lakers to numerous championships and was key in popularizing the sport in its early days, leaving behind a legacy as basketball’s first superstar.
- Accolades:
- 5-time NBA Champion (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954)
- 4-time NBA All-Star (1951-1954)
- 3-time NBA All-Star Game MVP (1953, 1954)
- 6-time All-NBA First Team (1949-1954)
- NBA scoring champion (1949, 1950, 1951)
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1959)
#3: Bill Walton
- Position: Center
- Height/Weight: 6’11”, 210 lbs
- Teams: Portland Trailblazers (1974-1978), San Diego Clippers (1979-1980, 1982-1984), Los Angeles Clippers (1984-1985), Boston Celtics (1985-1987)
Bill Walton was a transformative force on the court, known for his exceptional passing, rebounding, and defensive capabilities. Standing at 6’11”, he was a dominant center during his time with the Portland Trail Blazers and later with the Boston Celtics.
Walton’s playing style was characterized by his high basketball IQ, unselfish play, and a relentless work ethic on both ends of the floor.
His significant role in leading the Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA Championship is a pivotal moment in his career, earning him NBA Finals MVP honors. Walton’s presence on the Celtics roster in the ’86 championship run further cemented his legacy as a team-first player.
- Accolades:
- 2× NBA Champion (1977, 1986)
- NBA Finals MVP (1977)
- NBA Most Valuable Player (1978)
- 2× NBA All-Star (1977, 1978)
- NBA Sixth Man of the Year (1986)
- Selected to the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams
- Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee (1993)
#4: Bob Pettit
Position: Center / Power Forward
Height/Weight: 6’9”, 205 lbs
Teams: Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (1954–1965)
Bob Pettit was one of the first dominant big men in NBA history. Known for his relentless rebounding and scoring touch, Pettit revolutionized the center and power forward positions with his ability to score both inside and from mid-range.
His dedication to the game was unmatched, and he became the first player in NBA history to surpass 20,000 career points. Pettit’s aggressive style made him a force in the paint, and his leadership led the Hawks to an NBA title in 1958.
Pettit’s ability to consistently score and rebound earned him 11 All-Star appearances and two league MVP awards. His combination of skill and toughness made him a nightmare for opposing teams and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest big men ever to play the game.
Accolades:
- NBA Champion (1958)
- 2× NBA MVP (1956, 1959)
- 11× NBA All-Star
- 10× All-NBA First Team
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team
#5: Dave Cowens
Position: Center
Height/Weight: 6’9”, 230 lbs
Teams: Boston Celtics (1970–1980), Milwaukee Bucks (1982–1983)
Dave Cowens was known for his tenacity, hustle, and all-around versatility. Despite being slightly undersized for a center, Cowens made up for it with his relentless energy and physical play.
A key player for the Boston Celtics during the 1970s, Cowens helped lead the team to two NBA championships. His ability to defend, rebound, and score in the post made him invaluable.
Cowens’ intensity on the court earned him the 1973 MVP award, and he was an eight-time All-Star during his career. His leadership and toughness embodied the spirit of the Celtics and solidified his place as one of the top big men of his era.
Accolades:
- 2× NBA Champion (1974, 1976)
- NBA MVP (1973)
- 8× NBA All-Star
- NBA Rookie of the Year (1971)
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team
#6: Bill Laimbeer
Position: Center
Height/Weight: 6’11”, 245 lbs
Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers (1980–1982), Detroit Pistons (1982–1994)
Bill Laimbeer was the heart and soul of the Detroit Pistons’ “Bad Boys” era, known for his physical play, toughness, and rebounding prowess. Laimbeer wasn’t the flashiest player, but his grit and defensive dominance made him a crucial part of the Pistons’ back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990.
He excelled at stretching the floor with his outside shooting, a rare skill for centers during that era.
Laimbeer’s reputation as an enforcer often overshadowed his talent, but his ability to grab rebounds, block shots, and hit clutch jumpers made him one of the most important pieces of the Pistons dynasty. His durability and consistency kept him at the top of his game for over a decade.
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Accolades:
- 2× NBA Champion (1989, 1990)
- 4× NBA All-Star
- NBA rebounding leader (1986)
- Over 13,000 career rebounds
#7: Arvydas Sabonis
- Position: Center
- Height/Weight: 7’3″, 279 lbs
- Teams: Portland Trailblazers (1995–2001, 2002–2003)
Arvydas Sabonis, often heralded as one of the most skilled big men to ever play the game, joined the Portland Trail Blazers at the age of 31, bringing with him an extensive career from Europe. Known for his exceptional passing ability, basketball IQ, and soft shooting touch, Sabonis greatly influenced the team’s playoff runs in the late ’90s.
Despite facing chronic injuries, which limited his mobility, he utilized his size and skill to control the post.
His presence on the court was transformative, offering a unique blend of strength and finesse. Sabonis’ impact went beyond stats, as he inspired a generation of European players to join the NBA.
- Accolades:
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1996)
- 15.4 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.8 APG in the NBA Playoffs in 1997
- Led the Blazers to multiple playoff appearances during his tenure
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2011)
#8 Marc Gasol
- Position: Center
- Height/Weight: 7’1″ / 255 lbs
- Teams: Memphis Grizzlies (2008–2019), Toronto Raptors (2019-2020), Los Angeles Lakers (2020-2021)
Marc Gasol was an integral component of the Memphis Grizzlies, widely revered for his basketball IQ, defensive prowess, and passing ability from the center position. Gasol’s tenure with the Grizzlies spanned over a decade, during which he became synonymous with the “Grit and Grind” era.
Known for his exceptional footwork and finesse, he anchored the team’s defense and orchestrated plays with his remarkable passing skills.
Gasol’s leadership on and off the court was instrumental in establishing the Grizzlies as perennial playoff contenders. His ability to hit the clutch shot further endeared him to fans, highlighted by unforgettable performances in the playoffs.
- Accolades:
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2013)
- 3× NBA All-Star
- All-NBA First Team (2015)
- All-NBA Second Team (2013)
- Led NBA in total blocked shots (2012)
#9. Vlade Divac
- Position: Center
- Height/Weight: 7’1″, 243 lbs
- Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (1989–1996), Charlotte Hornets (1996-1998), Sacramento Kings (1998-2004), Los Angeles Lakers (2004-2005)
Vlade Divac was a key figure for the Los Angeles Lakers, bringing European flair to the NBA. As a center, Divac was known for his exceptional passing skills and basketball IQ, which allowed him to be an effective playmaker from the post.
His footwork and finesse made him a tough opponent in the paint. Divac’s biggest impact was his role in leading the Lakers to multiple playoff appearances in the early ’90s, and he was part of the shift period between the Magic Johnson era and the Kobe-Shaq era. Remembered also for his genial personality and leadership, Divac is celebrated as one of the pioneers for international players in the NBA.
- Accolades:
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1990)
- Averaged 12.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game with the Lakers
- Helped the team to five consecutive playoff appearances from 1990 to 1995
#10: Rik Smits
- Position: Center
- Height/Weight: 7’4″/250 lbs
- Teams: Indian Pacers (1988–2000)
Rik Smits, the “Dunking Dutchman,” spent his entire 12-year NBA career with the Indiana Pacers, leaving a lasting impact as one of the league’s most skilled centers of the 1990s.
At 7’4″, Smits was known for his agile footwork, soft touch around the basket, and a reliable mid-range jumper, which complemented Reggie Miller’s perimeter play perfectly. His presence in the paint created space and opportunities for his teammates, playing a critical role in the Pacers’ deep playoff runs.
Smits was an All-Star in 1998, and his consistency and scoring ability solidified his legacy as one of the franchise’s all-time greats.
- Accolades:
- NBA All-Star (1998)
- Averaged 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game over his career
- Key player in Pacers’ run to the NBA Finals in 2000
- Indiana Pacers’ franchise leader in blocks at the time of retirement
