Best Basketball Shoes For A Center: These shoes will have you dominating the paint

Being a big man in the game is becoming more and more important especially in today’s style of play. We are starting to see centers do more than ever before and with players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid it’s becoming more and more common for big men to become the center pieces for their team.

With that being said, you’re going to need some basketball shoes that can handle all of the consistent movement while still being comfortable and durable enough to play in, that’s why in this article we are going to be reviewing the best basketball shoes for a center.

Product Material Strong Outsole Grip? Price Buy

Adidas  NEO Men’s Cloudfoam Ilation 

100% leather Yes $

 

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Men’s Pro Vision
Textile and Synthetic Yes $$

 

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Men’s Tazon Fracture FM Cross-Trainer Shoe
100% Synthetic   $
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Adidas Men’s Ownsthegame
 
Synthetic-and-mesh Yes $
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Adidas Men’s Streetfire Basketball Shoe
Textile and Synthetic Yes $$
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The Top 5 Best Basketball Shoes For A Center

Adidas NEO Men’s Cloudfoam Ilation Mid Wide Basketball Shoe 

The NEO Men’s high-top basketball shoe is a great option for centers. Its durability is unmatched because of the 100% Leather material it’s composed of along with the rubber sole for enhanced durability and comfortability. The grippy rubber outsole gives you the traction that you need to effectively move around the paint while the cloudfoam sock liner gives you that lightweight cushion that’ll protect your feet while jumping for those rebounds. The air mesh tongue along with the perforations add an exceptional amount of ventilation so your feet can breathe during the game. A shoe you’ll want to have a center.

Pros

  • Well ventilated
  • Durable
  • Comfortable
  • Lightweight cushion

Cons

  • Rubber sole may need to be replaced after some time

Men’s Pro Vision

The Men’s Pro Vision sneakers are another super solid option for athletes playing the center position. They provide a regular fit with a lace closure which means your foot will stay comfortably in place and the bounce cushioning enhances flexibility while still keeping you comfortable. This particular shoe offers a lockdown feeling for extra security and the rubber outsole offers that traction you need to quickly pivot and maneuver as needed.

Pros

  • Synthetic material for increased durability
  • Locked-down feel offers stability
  • Flexible

Cons

  • Not good for courts with dust

Men’s Tazon 6 Fracture FM Cross-Trainer Shoe

If you’re looking for a true athletically branded shoe, the Puma Men’s Tazon is what you’re looking for. The 100% synthetic material makes this shoe extremely durable while the rubber sole offers you comfort through constant movement. These sneakers were crafted with performance specifically in mind which is why they are also certified as a run-train shoe making it a great and reliable shoe for a center.

Pros

  • Durable rubber sole
  • Comfortable low-top design
  • Long lasting materials

Cons

  • Tongue position may be uncomfortable for some
  • Difficult to clean

Adidas Men’s Ownthegame Basketball Shoe

The Men’s Ownthegame Basketball Shoe is a mid-cut shoe with a wide fit that is crafted with the Adiwear outsole which offers great durability but also doubles as a dual-zone traction so you can effectively create seperation on the court. The Cloudfoam cushioning thats located in the mid-sole allows for constant comfort throughout the game. The mesh upper also adds an extra layer of durability while the debossed toe cap keep your toes protected in the while you’re playing the paint.

Pros

  • Durable leather material
  • Protective debossed toe cap
  • Dual-zone traction
  • Good for wide feet

Cons

  • Runs big

Adidas Men’s Streetfire Basketball Shoe

The Men’s Streetfire Basketball Shoe is made from synthetic materials that keep your feet protected during the game. A comfortable rubber sole allows you to play painless along with the extra padding that is included around the Achilles so you can get that perfect fit. These shoes while having a durable upper mesh, it still remains breathable and the heel pull allows for you to easily slip on your shoes with no extra effort needed. The Men’s Streetfire sneakers are going to be some of the highest quality shoes you’ll find for a center.

Pros

  • Breathable
  • Heel pull for easy on and off
  • OrthoLite sockliner for increased performance

Cons

  • Runs big
  • Not for narrow feet

What Should You Look For When Choosing A Basketball Shoe for A Center?

Durability

In basketball you are constantly moving back and forth and in start and stop motions and this requires some pretty tough shoes. While some players are focused on swag others are focused on how their chosen shoe can help them improve and while there’s nothing wrong with having a some style, what’s even more important is how you can improve your game.

While your entire shoe should be durable, there will be specific sections that are more durable than others like the outer sole but paying close attention to the materials that a shoe is made of is what will really give you an accurate indication of its overall durability. Look for leather and synthetic materials as these are some of the most durable you’ll find for sneakers.

Support

Having great support in a shoe could be the difference between a game winning play and a season ending injury, so this should be top priority when searching for your next shoe. Your ankle is where you’ll get a lot of support and for good reason. Ankle injuries can lead to further and more career defeating complications such as meniscus and ACL tears, especially with big men. Mid-top shoes are excellent for supporting ankle stability and a durable toe box can assist as well to prevent injury with other players stepping on your toes, which happens more often when you’re playing in the paint.

Fit

This is one of those things that need to be just right. If your shoe is too big you run the risk of extremely sore toes and leave yourself more open to injury, if your shoes are too small, you’ll also be dealing with bunched up toes which are super uncomfortable and can take your focus away from the game. Just make sure that you have enough room to comfortably spread your toes out, and that your heel has about 1.6mm of space to ensure the most maximum amount of comfort. the midsole should be comfortable but firm and you shouldn’t be able to move that part of your foot very much at all.

Price

Budget is completely relative and with you being a center, you’re naturally going to spend a bit more than another player would because you’ll probably need a bigger sized shoe. You can expect to pay anywhere from $60 – $200 for a good quality shoe. If you’re not focused so much on style, and wouldn’t mind having an older pair of sneakers that may not be in season, you can get away with paying a little less.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Should I Keep My Basketball Shoes?

If you are playing regular season games, try and switch out your shoes 2-3 times per season. This could be more or less depending on whether you play indoor or outdoor games. Also, changing the sole can help them last a little longer too. If you feel your shoes beginning to wear down, it’s important to switch them out as soon as you can.

What Is The Best Way To Maintain Your Shoes?

There are a number of steps you can take to make sure your sneakers stay in tip top shape throughout the season. Some things you can do is:

  • Keep them in a dry storage place
  • Use water protector on them
  • Stuff them with newspaper
  • Try not step in dirt
  • Alternate your shoes
  • How Do I Stop My Shoes From Smelling?

There are a few ways to conquer a smelly shoe but one of the most effective ways is to use baking soda. Let the baking soda sit overnight in your shoe and dump it out in the morning. While this method is effective be careful how often you do it as it can dry your shoes out.

Conclusion

The center position is by far the most dominant position in basketball and with that comes the responsibility of effectively guarding the paint and being a defensive and offensive assistance to your teammates and that means having the right pair of shoes.

Having the right pair of shoes means that they’ll need to fit perfectly, be extremely durable, offer great support and fit within your budget. The NEO Men’s Cloudfoam Ilation Mid Wide Basketball Shoe has all of the attributes of a great and reliable shoe that a center needs to be that dominating centerpiece that the team needs.

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