The Top 10 Best Basketball Shoes for Centers & Big Men in 2025

Finding a great pair of basketball shoes as a big man is not as easy as it used to be. The NBA game is shifting away from slow and heavy big guys, towards smaller and more versatile players, and the same is happening to basketball sneakers.

Signature shoes these days are almost exclusively reserved for guards like Kyrie Irving, Paul George, or James Harden. The only big guy that has a signature sneaker with one of the big brands is Joel Embiid.

But fortunately, there are still some sneakers that work well for traditional centers, and in this article, I am going to show you how to find them!

How to find your perfect pair of basketball shoes as a center:

Most centers prefer high-top sneakers
The cushioning should provide a lot of impact protection
The shoe should be very supportive

Let's see why that is:

Why most Centers chose High-Tops

Traditionally, basketball sneakers were cut higher than regular sneakers, ending above the ankles. While that is no longer the case, with light and flexible low-tops becoming more and more popular, most big guys still prefer high-tops.

These shoes provide additional support and a sense of security which is important for the battle under the basket. The ankle collar also helps to protect against other players stepping on your feet, and the additional weight doesn't matter for most big men because they don't rely on their quickness anyways.

Why Cushioning is so important

Guards like Steph Curry or Kyrie Irving don't need a lot of cushioning, and this shows in their signature sneakers which come with very firm and low mid-soles. Obviously, that won't work for heavier basketball players!

The additional pounds of centers put a lot more stress on the joints and which means they need softer and more comfortable shoes to reduce the amount of pressure they put on their feet. Cushioning systems like Nike's Zoom or Adidas's Boost, which offer a lot of impact protection and comfort, are a great choice for centers.

The following list includes 10 shoes that work well for centers and heavy forwards.

They all fulfill following criteria:

They are High Tops
Cushioning was rated better than 8.0/10 on average
Support was rated better than 8.0/10 on average

1. New Balance Fresh Foam BB V3

8.8 rating based on 4 expert reviews
The New Balance Fresh Foam BB V3 is an excellent performer with maximum cushioning.
This shoe is for players who want maximum cushioning and protection.

2. Nike LeBron NXXT Genisus

8.2 rating based on 6 expert reviews
The Nike LeBron NXXT Genisus offers impressive support and containment through a rigid upper.
This shoe is best for players who like supportive uppers.

3. Under Armour Flow FUTR X Elite

8.2 rating based on 5 expert reviews
The Under Armour Flow FUTR X Elite provides stable cushioning and grippy traction with an innovative upper.
This shoe is best for players who prefer a wider, more accommodating forefoot area during play.

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Best Basketball Shoes for Centers

1. New Balance Fresh Foam BB V3

Performance Rating:

8.8

The New Balance Fresh Foam BB V3 is an excellent performer with maximum cushioning.

Overall rating based on 4 reviews

Pros:

Elite traction performance

Maximum cushioning

Cons:

Sits high off the ground

Slightly snug at the bottom of the laces

What do the experts think?

The Fresh Foam BB V3 is one of New Balance's best basketball performers of late. Reviewers agree that the traction performance is elite. Dust does not affect the performance at all. New Balance uses a dual-density cushioning setup that has maximum impact protection while still providing bounce. The materials are synthetic but feel breathable and supportive. There is a shank that provides impressive arch support. Also, side pieces provide decent containment. The fit feels comfortable, mainly thanks to the materials. Some reviewers mention the width is slightly snug, particularly around the base of the laces. New Balance has another hit performer on their hands with the Fresh Foam BB V3. The traction and cushioning are elite.

Colorways of the New Balance Fresh Foam BB V3:

2. Nike LeBron NXXT Genisus

Performance Rating:

8.2

The Nike LeBron NXXT Genisus offers impressive support and containment through a rigid upper.

Overall rating based on 6 reviews

Pros:

The forefoot Zoom unit feels bouncy

Lockdown and containment are supportive

Cons:

Rigid ankle collar

Materials require a break-in time

What do the experts think?

LeBron's latest NXXT Genisus uses an outsole similar to the Air Zoom Generation, and it feels consistent but isn't the tackiest. The cushioning features a Phylon-like foam and a forefoot Zoom Turbo unit. It feels comfortable and offers impact protection with some bounce. The upper material feels stiff initially, but it breaks in to soften up. It provides solid support, lockdown, and containment. There isn't much else needed for support, but the carbon fibre shank and rigid heel counter also provide stability. The only downside is that the ankle collar can feel stiff and restrictive. The Nike LeBron NXXT Genisus is a decent performance shoe, excelling at support and containment.

Colorways of the Nike LeBron NXXT Genisus:

3. Under Armour Flow FUTR X Elite

Performance Rating:

8.2

The Under Armour Flow FUTR X Elite provides stable cushioning and grippy traction with an innovative upper.

Overall rating based on 5 reviews

Pros:

Stable foam midsole

Comfortable Intelliknit upper

Cons:

Stretchy forefoot materials

Non-optimal performance fit

What do the experts think?

The Under Armour Flow FUTR X Elite is a newly innovative performance basketball shoe. Flow foam remains elite on clean courts. As always, wipe on dusty surfaces. The midsole setup features a bulkier iteration of Flow. It feels more stable and secure. It's better for responsiveness. Under Armour's Intelliknit upper is also comfortable, lightweight, and breathable. The midfoot shank and stiff heel counter ensure support and containment are not an issue during play. The fit is divisive. Players who enjoy more freedom and stretchiness in the forefoot and toe box will enjoy the fit, but players who prefer a snug fit will not. The Under Armour FUTR X Elite steps up with a more innovative upper, and the traction and cushioning are what you expect from Flow, but make sure you like the fit beforehand.

Colorways of the Under Armour Flow FUTR X Elite: