Seventy-five players are set to take part in the upcoming NBA Draft Combine, starting Sunday in Chicago. This event serves as a critical platform for both domestic and international prospects to display their skills in front of NBA executives, enhancing their chances as the June draft approaches.
The week kicks off with the NBA Draft Lottery on Monday, which will determine the selection order for teams in the top 14 picks. Following this, players will engage in a series of activities, including measurements, interviews, drills, and scrimmages.
This year’s combine will be particularly significant due to new participation rules under the recent Collective Bargaining Agreement. All invited players are required to attend unless they have a valid excuse. This change aims to boost participation levels, especially from high-profile prospects like Cooper Flagg, among the attendees.
Additionally, the G League Elite Camp, which is a precursor to the combine, has been a breeding ground for talent, with 13 players earning invites to the combine over the last two years. This year, players such as Lamont Butler, Sean Pedulla, Dylan Cardwell, Chucky Hepburn, and Mackenzie Mgbako will be looking to impress evaluators.
The combine is also pivotal for NCAA basketball programs as they assess the futures of their players with the withdrawal deadline looming. Notable prospects whose decisions will impact their respective college teams include Milos Uzan from Houston, Yaxel Lendeborg from Michigan, Cedric Coward from Duke, Otega Oweh from Kentucky, and Alex Condon from Florida.
Among the rising stars, Walter Clayton Jr. from Florida has seen a significant boost in his draft stock, demonstrating impressive skills that could secure him a spot among the lottery picks.
Several players face tough decisions regarding whether to remain in the draft or return to college, including Carter Bryant from Arizona and PJ Haggerty from Memphis. Observers are particularly interested in how these decisions will play out, as they could significantly influence the upcoming college basketball season.
This combine promises to be a lively event, ripe with networking opportunities for players and NBA decision-makers alike, setting the stage for potential shifts in player rankings and team strategies as the draft approaches.