Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe is in line to be the starting center for the Nets for the first time in his career as the 2026-27 NBA season approaches. Brooklyn traded away center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls in the deal that brought forward Julius Randle to the Nets, but it seems that some are not high on Sharpe in his first time as a starting center.
In HoopsHype's Frank Urbina's top-27 NBA center rankings ahead of this upcoming season, Sharpe did not make the list and did not make the article's "just missed the cut" section. For context, the centers that just missed the top-27 were Deandre Ayton of the Washington Wizards, Neemias Queta of the Boston Celtics, Mark Williams of the Phoenix Suns, and Nikola Vucevic of the Orlando Magic.
Sharpe, 24, is coming off a 2025-26 campaign in which he averaged 8.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 60.1% from the field and 67.8% from the free-throw line in 62 games played (seven starts). Sharpe spent the majority of the season as the backup to Claxton, but it was interesting to see how well the former North Carolina Tar Heel played as the starter.
In his seven starts last season, Sharpe averaged 11.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 59.3% from the floor and 60.9% from the charity stripe. However, Sharpe's best game last year arguably came when he was coming off the bench as he had a 19-point, 14-rebound performance in a 125-109 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 3.
Either way, Sharpe is likely going to be the starting center for head coach Jordi Fernandez on opening night and he has already prepared to give his best, whether he was starting or not. For Sharpe to essentially not be considered among the top-27 centers, or top-31 when including the ones who just missed the cut, is surprising, but it's also proof that he still has some work to do in the eyes of others around the league.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets' Day'Ron Sharpe doesn't make HoopsHype's top-27 NBA centers list
