The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Sunday evening that LaMelo Ball would take part in the 2020 NBA Draft Combine. Ball is going against the typical modern trend for top prospects of sitting out of the draft combine to avoid either hurting their draft stock or potential injury risk.
Charania also released the full list of combine participants that did not include Anthony Edwards of Georgia, James Wiseman of Memphis or Obi Toppin of Dayton, further proving the trend of top prospects sitting out.
Ball’s decision to take part in the combine is a curious one. The best argument for why he would take part is to give teams more information about him. Even with his dozen games played in the NBL, most franchises lack the basic information on him.
He’s never taken part in a Nike showcase or a USA camp where any sort of measurements are typically taken. By taking part in the combine, Ball gives the franchises a baseline of information they didn’t otherwise have.
There’s also only so far Ball could realistically fall in the draft. Even if he has a poor showing whether in agility or lane drills or his measurements aren’t as expected, he’ll still be one of the top prospects taken in November’s draft.
Ball’s unique situation affords him the chance to take part in the combine without the typical risk that comes with top prospects competing. The draft combine is set to take place in phases throughout the months of September, October and into November.