While the NBA Draft Combine this year might have lacked some star power, there still was some intrigue surrounding it. No, Jahlil Okafor, Stanley Johnson, D’Angelo Russell, Karl Anthony-Towns and the newly named Willie ‘Trill’ Cauley-Stein didn’t participate in the long-awaited 5-on-5 drill but we did get to see some guys play and impress when given a chance.
We did see guys like the Harrison twins, Andrew and Aaron out of Kentucky, T.J. McConnell and Brandon Ashley out of Arizona, Brandon Dawson out of Michigan State, Quinn Cook from Duke, Terry Rozier from Louisville and other college stars get a chance on the 5-on-5 scrimmage and the combine tests trying to make some plays and impress some NBA representatives.
Overall the 2-day event was a success for some players and for others, they missed the mark.
NBA Draft Combine Results
Max Vertical Jump
1. Pat Connaughton – 44.0 inches
T-2. Marcus Thornton – 43.0
T-2. Justin Anderson – 43.0
T-2. Keifer Sykes – 43.0
3. Ryan Boatright – 41.0
T-4. Joseph Young – 41.0
T-4. Norman Powell – 41.0
5. J.P. Tokoto – 40.0
Standing Vertical Jump
1. Justin Anderson – 38
2. Pat Connaughton – 37.5
T-3. Marcus Thornton – 34.5
T-3. Joseph Young – 34.5
T-3. J.P. Tokoto – 34.5
T-3. Kelly Oubre – 34.5
T-4. Michael Qualls – 34.0
T-4. Keifer Sykes – 34.0
T-5. Chasson Randel – 33.5
T-5. Vince Hunter – 33.5
Lane Agility
1. Devin Booker – 10.22
2. Keifer Sykes – 10.5
3. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 10.51
4. Tyler Harvey – 10.52
5. Chasson Randle – 10.61
Shuttle Run
1. Devin Booker – 2.75
2. Chasson Randle – 2.81
3. Terry Rozier – 2.84
T-4. Marcus Thornton – 2.88
T-4. Justin Anderson – 2.88
5. R.J. Hunter – 2.91
3/4 Court Sprint
1. Marcus Thornton – 3.02
2. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 3.12
3. Keifer Sykes – 3.13
4. Terry Rozier – 3.15
5. Anthony Brown – 3.18
Winners
Guards
It was a showcase for some of the best guards in the nation. Andrew Harrison, Terry Rozier and Devin Booker, are 3 of the guards that had some eyes on them coming into the combine. The trio of guards were on the fringe of either the first and second round or being a lottery pick and all 3 helped their draft stock.
Andrew Harrison played well in the 5-on-5 drills, playing the point, looking to create for others while also looking to create his own shot. Harrison controlled the pace and did a nice job of setting up his teammates off ball screens. He had a couple of strong takes to the basket, getting by his defenders and finishing over the top of the taller monsters inside. Harrison also hit a mid-range stepback shot that impressed some of those in attendance.
Harrison’s stock improved slightly from that of a fringe early second-round guy who would definitely get drafted to one that could be a late first round pick for a team looking for a combo guard. Maybe the Brooklyn Nets at 29 could be a home for Harrison.
Terry Rozier looked beyond comfortable playing point guard during the scrimmage. He wasn’t tossing any fancy passes but he got into the lane at will with an explosive first step. He put loads of pressure on the defense by pushing the ball in the open floor and Rozier also led his team with 13 points.
He also measured well for a point guard standing at 6’2 with a terrific 6’8″ wingspan and he also finished top 10 in the max vertical leap (38″), lane agility (10.8) and the three-quarter sprints (3.15). Look for Rozier to possibly sneak in the early 20’s of the first round possibly to a team like the Dallas Mavericks in need of a new point guard.
Devin Booker didn’t play in the scrimmage but he did impress with his numbers in the combine. Everyone knows the Kentucky standout was a knockdown shooter but he showed off some surprising athleticism including his 34″ max-vertical jump, which was better than some expected. Booker’s lane agility numbers were even more impressive than his jumping as he recorded the fastest time in the drill at 10.22 seconds. The lane agility drill is one used to see how well players can move in the lane possibly coming around screens and that just might be Booker’s calling card in the NBA.
Booker locked himself in the lottery with his numbers at the combine along with being one of the best shooters in the draft already. Look for him to go to a team in need of some knockdown shooting. Miami Heat at 10, maybe?
Rakeem Christmas
Rakeem Christmas was one of the most improved players coming into combine as he showcased his athleticism and activity in Game 1 of the 5-on-5 scrimmage. The former Syracuse big man shined with 20 points on 7-10 shooting and grabbing 6 rebounds. More importantly, he was an excellent screener and dove well to the basket in pick-and-roll action. Christmas was a relatively well-known prospect from a big program, but he didn’t come to Chicago with a lot of buzz. He definitely leaving with more than he had when he arrived, especially with excellent measurements for a power forward at 6’9 3/4″ with a 7’5 1/4″ wingspan.
With his length and defensive upside, the ability to knock down a 15-foot jump shot with consistency could be the difference between being drafted late in the first round and near the middle of the second round, especially with the recent transition of the space and pace era in the NBA. Christmas could work with a team like the Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers or even the Boston Celtics.
Pat Connaughton
The Baltimore Orioles worst nightmare has come true. The Fighting Irish guard and Orioles pitcher displayed his supreme defensive versatility guarding every position in the scrimmages. Pat Connaughton also had the highest max vertical height jump, tying Shane Larkin for 2nd all-time at the NBA Draft combine with a 44-inch jump. Not what the Orioles wanted to see, hoping he’d give up basketball and play baseball.
It’ll be important for Connaughton to show he can defend NBA-level guards while being able to handle the ball as a secondary ball handler. He’ll be playing on the perimeter purely in the NBA as a guard/forward wing guy. Connaughton definitely got himself in the second round after his performance in the combine and his pitching days in the MLB might have to be put on hold.
J.P. Tokoto
J.P. Tokoto‘s choice to enter the draft was questioned by many. He averaged single digits in points at North Carolina for three years in a row and made just 21 threes over the past two seasons but Tokoto was excellent during 5-on-5 scrimmages, where he finished a perfect 6-6 from the floor. He showcased his defensive ability and elite athleticism, which were his main selling points to teams looking at his services. One more year under his belt might have solidified him in the first round but, this combine result didn’t hurt.
He opened up one of his games by jumping a passing lane and taking the steal the other way for a dunk, he then followed that up with a three, a mid-range jumper and then he got the crowd out of their seats with an explosive one-handed high-flying slam over a defender. He impressed to say the least.
Tokoto also put up a 40″ max vertical and stands at 6’6″ mark in sneakers but he should be selected in the early second round to a team that could use a nice spark off the bench.
Jordan Mickey
Jordan Mickey out of LSU finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and an eye-opening eight blocked shots in the first scrimmage he played in. He led the country in shot blocking so it was no secret coming in that he was going to look to swat away some shots. Mickey followed up his eight blocked shots on the first day of scrimmages by swatting four more shots in day 2. Mickey even knocked down a few jumpers in pick-and-pop situations and just continued to showcase his combination of defensive instincts and athleticism.
He measured in just above 6’8″, which is considered somewhat undersized in today’s NBA for a power forward but his 7’3 ¼” wingspan allows him to play bigger than his height. Mickey was an obvious standout when the ball hit the hardwood and If he keeps knocking down outside jumpers, the inch or two he’s lacking in height shouldn’t be all that problematic.
He’s also a pretty solid athlete who should be able to defend the pick-and-roll in the NBA and if he can develop a dependable mid-range jump shot, he could be one of the biggest surprises in the draft. Mickey could be a late first round draft pick for a team like the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics or Los Angeles Lakers.
Honorable mentions: T.J. McConnell, Robert Upshaw, Vince Hunter, George de Paula and Mouhammadou Jaiteh.
Losers
Quinn Cook
Quinn Cook was never a great athlete, but left a lot to be desired with his quickness and speed. had a mediocre showing athletically, which makes it hard to ever see him as more than a third-string point guard in the NBA.
Unfortunately for the former Duke star, he didn’t show the NBA representatives anything good. Cook finished bottom three in the lane agility testing with a time of 11.28 seconds, and the third-slowest point guard in three-quarter court sprint testing at 3.38 seconds. On top of those, Cook was also tied for second-worst in both no-step vertical jump (24.5 inches) and the max vertical jump. (31.0 inches)
The numbers don’t look well for his chance to even make a team in the league and decreases the potential a team uses their second-round pick on him. Undersized point guards need to stick out athletically, much like Rozier did, to make it in the league, and Cook’s numbers weren’t quite good enough. Quinn might end up like one of his former Duke teammates in Seth Curry and go undrafted.
Aaron Harrison
It’s strange to see a set of twins go in opposite directions. While Andrew Harrison shined, Aaron Harrison struggled. For as much as the increased mid-range spacing of the NBA 3-point line seemed to give Andrew the little cracks and daylight that he needed to be successful here, Aaron struggled quite a bit. He measured out decently for a shooting guard at 6-6 with a 6-8 wingspan, but struggled in the games.
If there’s one thing that he needs to prove to scouts, it’s that he can actually knock down some shots. Despite his reputation for clutch heroics, the numbers simply don’t back up his ability to make shots consistently. He went 5-21 from the field, including 1-7 from 3, in his two days, often forcing some shots and never actually calming down and letting the offense develop. The importance of him showing scouts that he can knockdown shots is going to be huge or else he might go undrafted.
One twins stock rises while another one falls.
Terran Pettaway
Terran Petteway didn’t help himself in the athletic portion of the combine, with only a 25-inch no-step vertical and 31-inch max vertical he proved he was one of the least athletic wings in the this years draft class. He also was tied with swingmen Kelly Oubre and Michael Frazier for the worst three-quarter court sprint at 3.32 seconds. His 6-11 wingspan will help getting shots off, but these are legitimate concerns for the former Nebraska Cornhusker when it comes to his opportunity at the next level.
Petteway already had concerns in terms of shot selection and efficiency coming out of college and he will need to prove he can get his shot off against more athletic wings to give him a chance at the next level. With the lack of athleticism he showed at the combine, it will definitely be hard for him to show anyone he can keep up with the quicker wings in the NBA. He was a fringe first rounder but he might have dropped exclusively into the second round.
Branden Dawson
Branden Dawson disappointed greatly with his athletic testing numbers at the combine, with a non-step vertical of only 28.5 inches and max vertical of 34.5 inches while Dawson also had the slowest agility time at 12.37 seconds. Not exactly the best showing from the
These numbers were incredibly surprising after seeing Dawson routinely stick the best athletes in college the past four years. Maybe he just had a bad day, but Dawson’s chance at being drafted took a major hit. He was supposed to sell himself as a super-athletic defensive and rebounding beast, but instead left a lot to be desired.
You just don’t see many power forwards with his lack of perimeter ability and touch make it in the NBA, and his athletic results won’t keep NBA teams interested in his potential at the next level. Dawson’s draft stock took a major hit, as he most likely goes undrafted after a disappointing performance on Thursday.
Tyler Harvey
The nations’s leading scorer in the college ranks this past season was far from that during the draft combine. Tyler Harvey came out very flat in his scrimmage, and couldn’t get anything to drop, shooting 3-13 from the field and 2-9 from 3-point range. One thing was very apparent, Harvey doesn’t commit the same attention to detail on the defensive side of the basketball as he does on offense. He was getting beat on back cuts, allowing anyone a free pass to the lane, going right past him being the biggest defensive liability on the court. His effort on the defensive end needs to improve drastically if he wants to get drafted going forward.
Dishonorable mentions: Every prospect who didn’t participate in the 5-on-5 drills, Michael Qualls, Michael Frazier.
(Player profiles courtesy NBAdraft.net, NBA Draft projections from Tankathon.com and combine stats courtesy NBA.com.)
