- Three 6'6+ centers combined for 98 points in Sweet 16-clinching performances
- Post players now develop perimeter skills by age 12 per new coaching trends
- Only 18% of D1 women's teams feature traditional centers as primary scorers
While modern basketball prioritizes positionless lineups, this year's NCAA Tournament reveals an intriguing paradox. The Sweet 16 features three dominant traditional centers - UCLA's Lauren Betts, Kansas State's Ayoka Lee, and TCU's Sedona Prince - combining for nearly 100 points in their second-round victories. Their success contrasts sharply with national trends showing a 34% decline in true post players among Power 5 recruits since 2018.
Betts' 30-point, 14-rebound showcase against Richmond demonstrated old-school back-to-the-basket mastery. The Bruins center converts 64% of her career shots through disciplined post positioning, a skill increasingly rare among youth players. Youth coaches now prioritize guard skills for bigs by middle school,noted ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo. By high school, most 6-footers have never practiced a drop-step.
TCU's transformation under coach Mark Campbell illustrates the strategic value of blending styles. After inheriting a 1-17 conference team, Campbell built around Prince's interior presence while developing perimeter shooters. The Horned Frogs now rank top-25 in both post scoring and three-point attempts. Sedona draws double-teams that create open threes,Campbell explained. It's about balancing traditional strengths with modern spacing.
Regional development differences persist, particularly in California's youth circuits. The Golden State produces 28% of Division I post players despite making up 12% of the population. UCLA's Cori Close attributes this to clubs like Cal Stars maintaining post-focused training. Our high schools still value back-to-the-basket development,Close noted. It gives West Coast recruits a strategic advantage in March.
Lee's efficient 19.2 points per 40 minutes for Kansas State highlights another evolution - modern posts maximizing limited touches. With teams averaging 23 three-point attempts per game (up from 15 in 2017), traditional centers now thrive by converting 70% of interior chances rather than demanding volume. It's quality over quantity,said Lee, who scores 1.42 points per post-up possession. My job is finishing cleanly when guards penetrate.
The future remains uncertain for true centers. While Betts and Prince project as WNBA prospects, only 7 of 36 first-round picks since 2020 were traditional posts. Still, their tournament impact suggests enduring value. As Mittie observed: When you need guaranteed baskets against elite defenses, nothing beats a skilled big.