AZ’s Best: Top Centers in the Class of 2026 (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is part one of a three-part series, breaking down the top bigs in the class of 2026 in Arizona. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When evaluating centers, it's important to envision their game at the next level and how it translates. What are their strengths, and weaknesses and how much room for expanding their game is there? With how modernized the game has become with passing or floor spacing bigs, it's important to factor that into the equation as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's dive into some of the Top '26 Centers in Arizona entering the 2024-25 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["588731"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f6e64b4da2c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Noelle Guiamatsia comes in as our top prospect in the class of 2026, not just for centers but overall. She is coming off an impressive sophomore season and summer as she enters her junior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The dynamic big is skilled and stands at a towering 6'4", but most importantly, she knows how to use her size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Irene is a strong post scorer with her combination of strength and size in the interior. She does an excellent job sealing off defenders and establishing position down low. She makes nice passes for her size as well and can handle double teams that come her way by making quick decisions.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["598978"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f6e64b4da9b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The second-ranked player in the class of 2026 also happens to be a center. Callie "CJ" Hinder is right there at the top battling for the number one overall spot. The Hamilton product is coming off a strong sophomore season for the Huskies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can't teach size, and at 6'6" she stands above the rest of her class and knows how to leverage her height advantage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 29 games on Varsity for Hamilton, she averaged 9.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game on an efficient 55% shooting clip from the field. Hinder is due for a breakout junior season and should continue to draw interest in her recruiting process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["624028"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f6e64b4db23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sipfle joins her Hamilton teammate [player_tooltip player_id='598978' first='Callie' last='Hinder'] at the top of the center rankings. She comes in at number 7 overall in our rankings and as the third-best center. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She stands at 6'4", bringing size and skill to the table. In 17 games last season, Sipfle averaged 8.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game on 58% shooting from the field. Sipfle and Hinder formed a dynamic duo down low and should only continue to dominate the interior during their junior season(s).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hamilton will be a team to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["837250"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f6e64b4db87"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wiemann is a multi-sport athlete with plus size at 6'2" and a balanced overall game at the center position. She comes in as our number four ranked center in the class of 2026 and sits in the top 15 overall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"> In 32 games, she averaged 14.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. She also chipped in with 1.2 assists per game and made some impressive reads. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wiemann is a player to watch this season and she should pick up more momentum in a larger role as a junior at Sunrise Mountain. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754700"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f6e64b4dbea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Roddy is our 5th-ranked center and number 29 overall prospect in the class of 2026. The 6'0" incoming junior appeared in 24 games for Basha a season ago. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though she did not get a ton of opportunities as a sophomore, Roddy caught the eye of our <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/09/expo-2nd-team-standouts/">Gregg Rosenburg at the EXPO</a>, making the 2nd team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her ability to create advantages down low through her size, strength, and positioning makes her a player to watch entering her junior season for McClintock. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->