If you are an NBA fan on X (formerly known as Twitter), there is a 99 percent chance you have been “Centel’d” at least once –– meaning that you have fallen victim to what I believe is the greatest misinformation account to ever exist on the internet. NBA Centel has established itself as a standout in the world of sports satire. The account mimics the credible NBA news source NBA Central, and people often fall for Centel’s schemes because the names and profile pictures are as identical as twins.
NBA Centel was launched in 2022 right here from Toronto by an anonymous creator. It didn’t take long for fans to take notice of Centel’s ridiculous headlines that mimicked the familiar style of NBA news on X but with a humorous twist –– from trade rumours to player signings and outrageous quotes that would make you go “Woah!” if they were true. NBA Centel’s knack for crafting posts that were just believable enough to fool people quickly made it a viral sensation.
NBA Centel has had countless viral moments, but one that stands out was when renowned NBA journalist Colin Cowherd got “Centel’d.” He fell for a tweet from Centel claiming, “The Mavericks organization has announced they will ban fans from wearing Luka Doncic jerseys as a way to move forward from him.” Cowherd repeated this misinformation live on national television, showing just how influential Centel has become. In fact, NBA Centel has grown so prominent that even Twitter’s AI has been “Centel’d.”
In February 2025, the NBA Twitter community faced a moment of darkness when NBA Centel was shadow-banned from X after years of success and growth. The news sent shockwaves through the community, as fans — myself included — mourned the temporary loss of a favourite satirical source.
Centel’s impact was so profound that even official X accounts of NBA teams, including the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, and Detroit Pistons, paid tribute to its loss. The mourning extended beyond basketball, with Buffalo Wild Wings and NBA 2K also acknowledging Centel’s absence. Perhaps the most surprising tribute came from Stephen A. Smith — arguably the greatest sports journalist of all time — who himself had fallen victim to Centel’s misinformation in the past. The situation escalated to the point where Centel’s ban was even covered by CNN in a news article, to the relief of its followers, Centel was reinstated the very next day.
NBA Centel has brought a breath of fresh air to the sports media landscape. The account’s ability to engage and entertain basketball fans is off the charts. And though Centel has caused headaches amongst some journalists and fans, they have taught most NBA fans to do a double take on their sources for sports information. If there was a Twitter Hall of Fame, NBA Centel would definitely be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
