Tag: NBA Combine

Aaron Henry day-to-day with quad strain suffered at NBA draft combine

Aaron Henry day to day with quad strain suffered at NBA draft combine

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Aaron Henry is vying to earn a spot on an NBA roster via the draft, but he suffered an unfortunate setback: a quad strain sustained at the NBA draft combine, his agent Dan Frank told ESPN.

According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Henry is expected to resume workouts in the next week.

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Tre Mann reschedules pro day at NBA combine after illness

Tre Mann was out of action for the combine’s Pro Day on Saturday with an illness, and he’s rescheduled for Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Former Florida point guard Tre Mann is expected to be a first-round pick in next month’s NBA draft, and after landing an invite to the NBA combine, he has the opportunity to boost his stock even further. However, it seems he’ll have to wait, as Mann missed the first Pro Day of the combine on Saturday with an undisclosed illness, according to ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony.

Givony reported on Sunday that Mann had rescheduled for that afternoon at 1:30 p.m EDT, seemingly indicating that whatever held him out on Saturday wasn’t anything severe.

Mann departed for the draft after an excellent sophomore year where he became the Gators’ leading scorer and one of the top offensive players in the SEC. He put on impressive performances on a national stage in the NCAA Tournament, scoring 14 points and 19 points in UF’s two games.

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That has fueled a draft projection that usually falls in the early 20s, but some mock drafts have had him in the lottery, as high as the top 10.

Those projections are clear outliers, but the combine is an excellent chance for him to make them more commonplace. With the event set to end on Sunday, Mann will hope he’s at 100% for his rescheduled Pro Day.

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NBA Combine reviews for Texas Longhorns prospects after day two

Stocks could be rising after a phenomenal day two from a pair of Longhorns.

Day one of the five-on-five scrimmages went really well for Jericho Sims, but it left Greg Brown III looking overwhelmed, and quite frankly, not good enough to be a first round pick.

However, Brown got a chance to redeem his lackluster performance on the second day of the NBA Combine and he did just that.

Brown came out of the gate with the energy and enthusiasm that he was lacking in the scrimmage on day one, which is also why scouts question his motor.

After coming off the bench to play a little over 14 minutes during the first game and only scoring two points while having the worst +/- rating, Brown was given a chance to start on day two.

Brown scored 12 points, grabbed four rebounds and recorded one steal. A performance that also saw him having the highest +/- rating on his team. If he wants to stay in the good graces of scouts and general managers, he will need to get a grasp on how important it is to impact the game in a positive way regardless if you are scoring or not.

Jericho Sims continues to impress at the combine, as he had another great game. Draft Expresses’ Jonathan Givony had nothing but high regards for Sims, who prior to the combine was not in seen in a single mock draft.

Sims got the start day one, but was given the opportunity to come off the bench this game, as that would likely be his role anyway. Even coming out of a reserve role, Sims was the highest scoring player on the team with 18 points and fell one rebound short of outrebounding the starting forward who had 7.

Based off the two games, it is safe to say Brown is likely still considered to be a “tweener,” whether scouts view him as a first or second is objective. Sims on the other hand likely earned himself a summer league invite at worst and may even be able to hear his name called in the second round.

NBA Combine reviews for Texas Longhorns prospects after day one

While Jericho Sims’ draft stock may be rising, Greg Brown’s is seemingly trending downwards.

Two Longhorns participated in the full court scrimmage portions of the NBA Combine, hoping to showcase their abilities to scouts and general managers. Of the three former Texas players at the combine, Kai Jones did not participate in the scrimmages on day one, only Greg Brown III and Jericho Sims did.

The scrimmages are a huge aspect of the combine, as it gives players the opportunity to show improvement on skills that were in question.

To say that Sims and Brown had different reviews after the scrimmage would be understatement. Prior to the scrimmage, Greg Brown III was viewed as a late first round prospect in several mock drafts and undrafted in others. Brown underwhelmed in a huge fashion, and quite frankly decimated his stock as of now.

The forward posted awful numbers in the scrimmage and was more detrimental than helpful to the team.

In a little over 14 minutes of action, Brown shot 1-of-3 for two points, one assist, and two rebounds, while registering the second-highest +/- rating in the game with the least minutes out of both teams. He also turned the ball over three times and committed five fouls. Brown’s performance showed a lack of ability to create for himself, and there were times where the hustle was not there. Overall, Brown’s performance did not leave a lasting impression by any means.

Jericho Sims on the other hand not only got the start for the game, but had a fantastic showing in terms of his effort on both sides of the ball. He received grave reviews from analysts on multiple aspects of his game.

Sims was all over the floor as he had a nice stat line with 11 points, four rebounds, two assist, and two steals. It may not seem like a lot, but as a prospect who is very much a fringe player that might ultimately go back to school, this was a huge day for him.

Sims’ draft stock may have risen a tad, whereas Brown’s is trending downwards.

Gators’ Scottie Lewis could appeal to the Pistons in the 2021 NBA draft

After making the first-overall pick, the Detroit Pistons could look to a player like former Gator Scottie Lewis in the second round.

The Florida Gators basketball team is sending former five-star recruit Scottie Lewis to the 2021 NBA draft. He’s not considered a major prospect in the class, but he seems like a good candidate to interest the Detroit Pistons in the second round.

The national media often likes to poke fun at the team regarding the reemergence of Blake Griffin with the Brooklyn Nets, but the morale among Pistons fans couldn’t be higher right now as they enter the upswing of their swift rebuild under general manager Troy Weaver.

Be it Cade Cunningham or someone else, the vast majority of conversations about the Pistons will soon involve the player they select first in the draft. However, what made Weaver’s tank job with the team so effective is his knack for skillful talent evaluation. He walks to the beat of his own drum in that regard, but his thoroughly successful first draft class with the team is proof of his capability.

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A common thread among players targeted by the Weaver-era Pistons is a long wingspan. Long arms open up all kinds of possibilities for a player, especially on the defensive side of the ball. It’s been said repeatedly by the Pistons and reaffirmed by their roster choices that if a player can’t defend, he won’t see the floor.

Lewis checks that box physically, registering a whopping plus-8 inch wingspan at his official NBA Combine measurement. In virtually every scouting report, he was known as a defensive stalwart as a recruit and he performed well on that side of the ball as a freshman. He’s bouncy, energetic, and is a vocal leader on the floor, making him an asset in team defense.

Frankly, his defensive efficiency numbers took a severe hit in 2020-21. However, there’s a chance that teams who value their scouting reports won’t hold that against him. He has encouraging traits and his role on the team was jerked around quite a bit, so a steadier environment could coax better results.

The Pistons currently hold three second-round picks in the 2021 draft, which gives them plenty of breathing room to take a flyer on a raw player with attributes they like, such as Lewis. To be frank, there’s also a good chance that he goes undrafted and they could target him as a free agent.

True enough, Lewis couldn’t seem to find his shooting stroke during the 2020 season. There’s plenty of reasons to believe that he will struggle to find his footing in pro ball, but Detroit’s coaching staff has a reputation for developing young players. Their recent hire of John Beilein only reinforces that sentiment.

It’s tough to figure out what will happen in any sports draft, and in the NBA, most people stop caring once the lottery portion is finished. But with Lewis on the board in the late part of the draft, keep an eye on the Pistons as a team who could target him with the intent of stashing him in the G League for further seasoning.

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Gators’ Scottie Lewis could appeal to the Pistons in the 2021 NBA draft

After making the first-overall pick, the Detroit Pistons could look to a player like former Gator Scottie Lewis in the second round.

The Florida Gators basketball team is sending former five-star recruit Scottie Lewis to the 2021 NBA draft. He’s not considered a major prospect in the class, but he seems like a good candidate to interest the Detroit Pistons in the second round.

The national media often likes to poke fun at the team regarding the reemergence of Blake Griffin with the Brooklyn Nets, but the morale among Pistons fans couldn’t be higher right now as they enter the upswing of their swift rebuild under general manager Troy Weaver.

Be it Cade Cunningham or someone else, the vast majority of conversations about the Pistons will soon involve the player they select first in the draft. However, what made Weaver’s tank job with the team so effective is his knack for skillful talent evaluation. He walks to the beat of his own drum in that regard, but his thoroughly successful first draft class with the team is proof of his capability.

[exco_embed id=“e5869bc6-faf6-4b7a-8c06-b5610c96a8fe”]

A common thread among players targeted by the Weaver-era Pistons is a long wingspan. Long arms open up all kinds of possibilities for a player, especially on the defensive side of the ball. It’s been said repeatedly by the Pistons and reaffirmed by their roster choices that if a player can’t defend, he won’t see the floor.

Lewis checks that box physically, registering a whopping plus-8 inch wingspan at his official NBA Combine measurement. In virtually every scouting report, he was known as a defensive stalwart as a recruit and he performed well on that side of the ball as a freshman. He’s bouncy, energetic, and is a vocal leader on the floor, making him an asset in team defense.

Frankly, his defensive efficiency numbers took a severe hit in 2020-21. However, there’s a chance that teams who value their scouting reports won’t hold that against him. He has encouraging traits and his role on the team was jerked around quite a bit, so a steadier environment could coax better results.

Offensively, his impressive vertical skills and speed can be devastating in transition, but he’s held back by his poor shooting form. While his offense is not a calling card, but with intelligent usage, he could make a positive impact for Detroit. One of the things that held back the 2020-21 Pistons was a nearly unwaveringly slow gamepace that led to squandered opportunities in transition. Lewis could help change that.

The Pistons currently hold three second-round picks in the 2021 draft, which gives them plenty of breathing room to take a flyer on a raw player with attributes they like, such as Lewis. To be frank, there’s also a good chance that he goes undrafted and they could target him as a free agent.

True enough, Lewis couldn’t seem to find his shooting stroke during the 2020 season. There’s plenty of reasons to believe that he will struggle to find his footing in pro ball, but Detroit’s coaching staff has a reputation for developing young players. Their recent hire of John Beilein only reinforces that sentiment.

It’s tough to figure out what will happen in any sports draft, and in the NBA, most people stop caring once the lottery portion is finished. But with Lewis on the board in the late part of the draft, keep an eye on the Pistons as a team who could target him with the intent of stashing him in the G League for further seasoning.

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WATCH: Michigan State’s Xavier Tillman No. 2 best shooter in NBA Combine drill

Michigan State’s Xavier Tillman placed second in the star drill of the NBA Combine.

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Xavier Tillman only started to show us his ability to shoot the ball from deep a little more last season with Michigan State, but it looks like he has more to offer in that area at the next level.

Tillman is currently participating in a virtual, spaced out NBA Combine at the Detroit Pistons practice facility, and in the star drill (which is a shooting drill), Tillman tied for second place after making 75% of his attempts.

You can watch the full drill below:

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2020 NBA Draft Combine to take place in phases through November

The NBA announced the Draft Combine will be conducted both in team markets and virtually beginning Sept. 28 and continuing through November.

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The NBA announced that the Draft Combine has been reformatted to be conducted both in team markets and virtually, taking place in phases beginning Sept. 28 and continuing through November to allow teams the opportunity to evaluate prospects during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The combine will give players the opportunity to participate in league and team interviews, both conducted virtually from Sept. 28 through Oct. 16.

Players will also take part in individual strength and agility testing, anthropometric measurements, shooting drills and a “Pro Day” video.

The physical testing will be conducted in October at the NBA team facility nearest to a player’s home or interim residence. Medical testing and examinations will be performed by NBA-affiliated physicians in the same market.

The Draft Combine was initially scheduled to take place on May 21-24 in Chicago but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Teams have been prohibited from meeting with prospects in-person and viewing workout footage but they will now have the opportunity to conduct interviews face-to-face ahead of the NBA Draft on Nov. 18.

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Kaleb Wesson gets invite to the NBA Combine

Former Ohio State basketball player Kaleb Wesson has received an invite to participate in the 2020 NBA Combine.

By now you know Kaleb Wesson is not returning to Ohio State. The big man that was a presence in the low post the last three seasons in Columbus flirted with going to the NBA after the 2019 season but elected to return. He then entered his name into the NBA draft waters after this past campaign and has turned the page towards a professional career.

And now we know that Wesson has been invited to the NBA combine according to a graphic released by the official Ohio State basketball Twitter profile.

There aren’t too many NBA draft analysts that give Wesson much of a chance at going early in the 2020 NBA Draft, and if he’s going to get his name called, it’ll most likely be later.

Still, being invited is a good sign that there are some executives and scouts that want to get a better look at Wesson who — at the least — worked hard to act on feedback that he needed to transform his body and game just a bit to be more attractive at the next level.

The complete list of potential attendees can be found thanks to Draft Wire, though it is unlikely that all — not even most — of these players get an invite.

It is unclear if or when the 2020 NBA Combine will even take place thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but if it does Wesson will be a part of all the fun. The 2020 NBA Draft is scheduled to take place on October 16 now, rather than the originally scheduled date of June 25.

So, we’ll just watch and wait.

 

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Cassius Winston, Xavier Tillman, Aaron Henry among top prospects for NBA Combine

All three Spartans are listed as potential NBA combine invitees.

The NBA is attempting to trudge through the 2020 pre-draft process while simultaneously finishing the current season in a COVID-19 induced Orlando bubble and in that process the league has decided to attempt to put together its annual combine.

All three of Michigan State’s current entrants in the NBA Draft, Cassius Winston, Xavier Tillman Sr., and Aaron Henry, are on the list of the top prospects to be invited to an eventual combine.

The combine process has been a little murkier this year for obvious reasons. Right now the above list has been compiled after a survey of NBA executives  and while all of the invitees have not been confirmed, indications are that the names on this list will be the ones eventually invited to the combine.

The fact that Winston and Tillman are on the list is no surprise as both are considered fringe-first round picks. Henry’s stock is a little bit lower, but he has been squarely in the top 100 of most prospect lists, usually in the 70s.

While Winston will most likely participate in any combine event, the same can’t be said for Tillman and Henry. There is no set date for the combine yet and the NCAA deadline for underclassmen to withdraw from the draft is August 3.

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