AI Names and Ranks the 10 Greatest Centers in NBA History

From Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain in the 1960s, to Nikola Jokic in 2025, the center position in the NBA has always been stacked with Hall of Fame talent. Whether it was monstrous rebounding and defensive units, or modern-day stars with a shooting touch, centers have evolved tremendously from when they simply patrolled the paint.

Now, they are expected to stretch the floor, become more of a facilitator with the ball in their hands, and then also be able to switch onto guards and close out on the perimeter. The roles and responsibilities have shifted considerably, and centers have had to sink or swim with the changing currents.

Having already asked ChatGPT to name and rank the 10 greatest point guards in NBA history, we have now asked the same AI system to put together a ranking of the 10 best centers of all-time, and it’s fair to say it threw up some significant surprises.

10

Patrick Ewing

One of the greatest players in New York Knicks history, Patrick Ewing could count himself considerably unlucky that he played in an era dominated by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. While the Knicks wouldn’t achieve any team success, Ewing enjoyed a stellar career on a personal level, racking up 11 All-Star appearances and one All-NBA First Team selection.

Jordan even revealed that he was just 30 minutes away from leaving the Bulls and joining the New York Knicks – one can only imagine the kind of devastating two-man game both MJ and Ewing would have developed together.

What ChatGPT said: A defensive stalwart and consistent scorer, Ewing led the Knicks to perennial playoff berths during one of the most competitive eras in league history. Though he never won a title, he was often the best or second-best player on teams contending in the East.

9

George Mikan

While the NBA world and the basketball community as a whole recognises the greatness of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, George Mikan playing in the era before that (he starred during the late 1940s and mid-1950s) has somewhat counted against him in terms of the praise he gets. Mikan won the NBL twice before lifting the NBA/BAA title five times, while he was also named the NBL’s Most Valuable Player in 1948.

What ChatGPT said: The NBA’s first true superstar, Mikan dominated the pre-shot clock era with size and touch. He led the Minneapolis Lakers to 5 titles and forced the league to widen the lane due to his impact. While his era lacked athletic parity and statistical rigor, Mikan’s influence and success set the foundation for the modern center — his legacy is foundational to the NBA’s growth.

8

David Robinson

Nicknamed ‘The Admiral’, David Robinson goes down as one of the greatest San Antonio Spurs players in history. A 10-time NBA All-Star, Robinson was named the league’s MVP in 1995, and would lift the title on two occasions – first in 1999, and then again in 2003 in his final season in basketball. The 7 foot 1 center was a defensive machine, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1992 and being named to the All-Defensive First Team on four occasions.

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What ChatGPT said: A rare combination of strength, speed, and intelligence, “The Admiral” was a model pro who won two titles alongside Tim Duncan. His peak in the early ‘90s included an MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, but he lacked deep playoff success as the lead star.

7

Moses Malone

One of the more underrated players on this list of the greatest centers, Moses Malone was a key reason behind the Philadelphia 76ers winning the NBA title in 1983, claiming the Finals MVP award. A three-time league MVP, Malone would be named to the All-Star team 12 times, while he was an absolute rebounding machine, leading the league in that category for six seasons in total.

What ChatGPT said: One of the most relentless rebounders and inside scorers ever, Moses was a 3-time MVP and the driving force behind the 1983 Sixers’ title. He carried the Houston Rockets to the Finals in 1981 almost single-handedly and dominated Kareem en route to Philly’s championship.

6

Wilt Chamberlain

One of the most dominant players in NBA history, Wilt Chamberlain beggared belief with the kinds of numbers he put up over his career. A four-time MVP, he would win the NBA title once with the Philadelphia 76ers before doing so again with the Los Angeles Lakers. It was down to Chamberlain’s insane physical attributes and dominance that saw the league enforce rule changes such as: widening of the lane, offensive goal-tending, banning inbound passes over the backboard and keeping the feet behind-the-line during free throws.

What ChatGPT said: Wilt put up video-game numbers: 50 PPG in a season, 100-point game, 22.9 RPG for his career. His raw dominance is unmatched. However, his playoff record and leadership at key moments pale compared to his peers. Despite two titles, Wilt often lost battles of intangibles — especially to Russell. Still, as a statistical anomaly and physical marvel, he forced rule changes and shaped the way the NBA evolved.

5

Nikola Jokic

The only current player to make the top 10, Nikola Jokic jumps up a few places on this AI ranking compared to our own greatest centers of all-time list. The best passing center in NBA history, Jokic’s frame and languid style detracts from the machine-like efficiency and processing power that he plays with. A natural point guard in a center’s body, Jokic’s vision and tempo-setting has made him the Denver Nuggets’ key offensive cog, and you would only back him to add to his resume in the coming years.

What ChatGPT said: Jokic has already redefined what a center can be: a true offensive hub and arguably the greatest passing big man in NBA history. With 2 MVPs, a Finals MVP, and a historically efficient 2023 championship run (30/13/9 averages), he’s already entered all-time status. He’s added defense and conditioning to his game in recent years and continues to expand Denver’s title window. At only 30 years old (as of 2025), his place in history is still rising — and fast.

4

Hakeem Olajuwon

When your nickname is ‘The Dream’, you know you’ve done something right. Hakeem Olajuwon led the Houston Rockets to back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995, being named Finals MVP on both occasions. In fact, his 1994 season is widely regarded as one of the greatest in NBA history, having won the MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, NBA title and Finals MVP awards.

That’s not to mention he was also voted in as an All-Star and a member of both All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team. Olajuwon goes down as one of the all-time great defenders in NBA history.

What ChatGPT said: Hakeem was the most technically refined big man of all time — elite footwork, defense, and shot creation. He’s the only player to record over 3,800 blocks and 2,000 steals, and led two title runs in 1994–95 where he bested a gauntlet of Hall of Fame bigs. His 1995 run remains legendary.

3

Shaquille O’Neal

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While Shaquille O’Neal has consistently said he doesn’t rank as the greatest center in NBA history, he does say that he is the most dominant player to ever play the game. And, when you look at both the stats and how he actually played on the court, you can see exactly why he thinks that. A three-time Finals MVP who won the award for each year of the Los Angeles Lakers’ three-peat at the turn of the century, O’Neal bullied players up and down the league, breaking backboards and players in equal measure.

What ChatGPT said: One of the most physically dominant athletes in any sport, Shaq combined brute force with agile footwork and surprising finesse. A 3× Finals MVP during the Lakers’ three-peat, Shaq also captured a fourth ring in Miami and made 15 All-Star teams. While conditioning and free throws were drawbacks, his playoff peak (2000–2002) was arguably the most overwhelming stretch for any center in NBA history.

2

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The man ranked first in our own list of the greatest centers of all-time, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar comes in at second here. The man with the most MVP awards in history, Abdul-Jabbar dominated the league in a different way to another Lakers legend in Shaquille O’Neal. A relentless scorer who had impeccable touch around the post – including an unguardable sky-hook shot – Abdul-Jabbar racked up the points night-in and night-out, all on his way to becoming the leading scorer in NBA history when he retired.

What ChatGPT said: Kareem is the NBA’s all-time leader in MVP awards (6) and was a model of sustained greatness across two decades. His signature skyhook made him nearly unguardable, and his ability to adapt his role — from alpha scorer in Milwaukee to veteran leader on the Showtime Lakers — underscores his all-time value.

1

Bill Russell

ChatGPT’s answer for the greatest center in NBA history, Bill Russell was the most dominant player on the most dominant team in the 1960s. The center anchored the defence in the Boston Celtics’ historic clashes against Wilt Chamberlain and co, coming out on top more often than not. Russell would be named the Most Valuable Player of the NBA an astonishing five times, including for three years in a row between 1961 and 1963.

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What ChatGPT said: The most decorated player in NBA history, Russell was the defensive anchor and emotional leader of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in 13 seasons. His impact transcended box scores — he revolutionized team defense, anchored elite rebounding, and showed unmatched consistency in clutch games.