There are five uncommitted ESPN 100 centers remaining. While Joel Embiid (Cameroon/The Rock) is not currently ranked, his recent play should land him on the next list so we’ll count him as one. The clear top dog out of the men in the middle is 6-foot-9, 275-pound Kennedy Meeks (Charlotte, N.C./West Charlotte).

West Charlotte was once home to Jason Parker, maybe the most dominant big man the state’s seen in the last decade. But now it’s Meeks, the owner of a state championship medal and title game MVP, who gets all the ink. He’s got a direct line on a second state crown and will get his chance come next March. Until then, he’s caught in the middle of a recruiting tussle.

“Right now I probably have a top three of North Carolina, Georgetown and NC State,” Meeks said. “It’s not officially a top three but it’s those three, Indiana and Kentucky. Kentucky has Marcus Lee so I’m not sure about that.”

ESPN 100 center Kennedy Meeks lists his three favorites as UNC, Georgetown and NC State. Arianna Hoffman

Since taking Lee, UK has not been in touch with Meeks and that’s probably all you need to know there. The Wildcats have other targets and don’t appear to be a big factor with Meeks at this moment.

Meeks visited Georgetown officially and has trips set with UNC (this weekend) and NC State (Nov. 3). “I’m going to see how the visits go and if they are good. If they’re still some questions, I’ll have to talk to my family. If I feel it’s right, I’ll make that move.”

The Hoyas did a nice job with Meeks on his visit and he’s well versed in their history at the position. “They need help at the center spot. I already knew that Coach Thompson was a good coach,” Meeks said.

In terms of effort, Meeks said the three programs are coming at him with similar intensity. “Honestly, I feel like all three call me almost the same,” he said. “Yesterday, Mark Gottfried, Roy Williams and John Thompson called me. They’re all doing a good job recruiting me.”

Meeks would be an asset to either roster. This is a big-bodied kid with soft hands, the requisite feet and if he’s not the best outlet passer in the senior class, he’s in the conversation. You can plop him in the high post and run offense through him. On the low block, he’s going to gobble up boards in his zone. Offensively, he’s a finisher. Very few of his peers can be counted on to score. Meeks is a valuable recruit and he’s being recruited as such.