NBA Draft Combine Takes: Bronny James Puts on a Show + Early Scrimmage Winners
CHICAGO—The NBA combine kicked off Monday, and for the first time in years, all the top prospects were mandated to participate in measurements, athletic testing and drills.
NBA scouts and executives in attendance witnessed some interesting developments on Day 1, including all the top lottery prospects going head-to-head in relevant drills.
And yes, Bronny James is here, and we're intrigued.
We'll keep you updated throughout the Combine with all our top takes and analysis, live from Chicago.
Grading Elite 7-Footers Beyond the Arc
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Rarely do scouts get a chance to watch projected top picks drill at the NBA Combine.
But the new CBA mandated universal participation, which created a unique scene under one basket with Donovan Clingan, Zach Edey and Alex Sarr competing in spot-up, dribble and movement shooting drills.
Clingan: B+
Clingan appeared noticeably comfortable, despite his eight three-point attempts this past season. The arc and rotation on his shot both look like they were delivered by a player who normally spends time around the perimeter. Executives came away impressed with the easy ball he shot, and it's starting to feel there is legitimate hidden shooting range with Clingan that will suddenly become a factor during workouts and teams' final assessments.
Edey: C+
Even Zach Edey hit his fair share of threes and mid-range pull-ups, though the time it took for him to load up and release was expectedly slow. Realistically, NBA teams won't be using him to stretch the floor anytime soon. But he does get bonus points just showing some level of capability with his outside shot, considering he took seven jumpers as a senior.
Sarr: B-
My current projected No. 1 overall pick, Sarr started off shaky before finding a rhythm and demonstrating his shotmaking versatility during movement and pull-up drills. His mechanics can be a little stiff or choppy, particularly when he's just standing still. He seems more comfortable when he's generating some type of momentum or movement into his shot.
Scouts don't sound ready to call Sarr a shooter. But it's rare to find a 7'1", 18-year-old defensive ace who threatens from deep, and can also fade away from the post and step into a pull-up.
Reed Sheppard Leaps Off the Page
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The highest max verticals (42") at the NBA combine came from Trentyn Flowers, Devin Carter, Keshad Johnson and Reed Sheppard, whose athleticism has never been considered one of his strengths.
It could be viewed as a noteworthy development for teams that have been on the fence about Sheppard's ability to separate at the NBA level.
Optimists could buy the idea that his leaping help compensate for the inch or two he's lacking in height for a combo guard.
Ultimately, instincts and feel were behind Sheppard's decent 59.4 percent finishing and 23 blocked shots. But the extra bounce could play a role in his potential to act on those instincts and make plays on the ball.
Dalton Knecht's Foot Speed Results Bode Well for Draft Stock
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Though scouts all buy Dalton Knecht's shotmaking, scouts have questioned how much his defensive outlook will negatively affect his value.
He'll have to show NBA coaches that he can stay in front of pro-level wings. But owning the NBA Combine's fastest shuttle-run time and second-fastest pro lane time—drills measure both lateral movement and change of direction—could help alleviate some concerns.
These testing results are a good sign for a 23-year-old whose NBA readiness is one of his core selling points.
Devin Carter Athletic Test Domination
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Providence guard Devin Carter was the biggest winner during athletic testing, a title few would have predicted heading into Chicago.
He set an NBA Combine record for fastest three-quarter court sprint time, and tied for both the highest max (42") and standing verticals (35"). He finished third in the pro-lane agility drill.
Carter will get labeled a 2-guard by NBA teams that will love the extra speed, quickness, explosion and bounce. That athleticism makes up for a lack of positional size.
His domination during testing was surprising, but the 25 dunks, transition scoring, 58 steals and 32 blocks highlight clear, functional athletic ability at both ends.
Alex Karaban's Wild Accuracy
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Alex Karaban shot 37.9 percent from three during his two-year career at Connecticut, so it wasn't surprising to see him shoot well during drills. But there are levels to it, and Karaban outperformed the field, leading three different drills in accuracy.
He shot 27-of-30 on dribble jumpers, 21-of-25 in the star drill and 21-of-26 on side-mid-side jumpers, all first-place numbers.
For a 6'8" forward (in shoes), Karaban's shooting, elite cutting, smart ball-moving and defensive toughness create a very compelling package of strengths for a complementary off-ball scorer and role player.
Bronny James Lights Up Drills
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It would be difficult to imagine Bronny James having a better start to the NBA Combine.
Waiting around until 5:30pm with the final group of the day, James kicked off athletic testing with an impressive 40.5-inch vertical. He put up strong numbers across the board with his leaping and foot speed, but it was his shooting that generated the most attention.
He ranked second behind Alex Karaban in the star drill, making 19-of-25 threes, relocating to a new spot after each attempt. He closed the drill hitting 12 straight over a minute and 15-second stretch.
Though prospects mostly jogged through this exercise, it still tested their conditioning and ability to connect off movement while tired, and James' accuracy improved the further he got into the drill.
He continued to show off his effortless stroke, including during some competitive five-on-five play where coaches ran various actions.
While scouts don't typically put heavy stock into shooting drills, it was still promising to see James restore some of the shotmaking credibility he brought to USC, considering he only hit 16-of-60 threes during his one season.
Aside from making dozens of jumpers, he showed poise and composure while more cameras and crowds shifted toward him compared to his peers. James' professionalism is obvious and could certainly make it easier for teams to talk themselves into gambling on the high-profile 19-year-old.
KJ Simpson Stands out in First Scrimmage
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The No. 25 prospect on Bleacher Report's pre-combine big board, KJ Simpson was a clear standout Tuesday with his rim pressure, finishing, shotmaking and activity.
He was consistently able to gain a step on whoever was guarding him. He used his body well to create angles, and he converted some tough layups and runners after contact.
After three straight successful drives in the first half, he buried a pull-up three over a screen.
He made plays without the ball as well—as a cutter, rebounder and defender jumping as passing lane for a steal.
Simpson didn't record an assist, and he attempted some ambitious passes that didn't work. He'll likely need a team to accept the fact that he's a scoring ball-handler who play-makes second.
Jonathan Mogbo Shows How He Fits
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With rare stat lines at San Francisco, a unique junior college background and questioned fit for the NBA, Jonathan Mogbo was one of scouts' top priorities in Chicago. He clearly helped himself on Tuesday, showing how he can affect games and make plays at 6'6" (in socks) without shooting ability.
A guard in high school before a growth spurt, Mogbo showed off his handle and footwork, euro-stepping through traffic in the half court and pushing the break off defensive board. His passing, which is his signature differentiator strength, popped throughout the game.
He processes fast. He facilitated off ball screens and hit cutters off give-and-gos. After today, it became easier to picture him making plays at the next level off his physical tools and athleticism, dribble and passing IQ.
Teams willing to think out of the box and not worry about a position figure to see a gamble worth taking in the second round. If he chooses to stay in the draft, it's likely an indication of enough positive feedback about if and where he'll get selected.
Baylor Scheierman: MVP of First Scrimmage
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Finishing with 17 points and eight rebounds, Creighton's Baylor Scheierman looked like the most impactful player on the floor Tuesday with his signature shotmaking, pick-and-roll passing and presence under the boards.
He was also noticeable vocal and competitive.
Scheierman drilled three three-pointers, hit a mid-range pull-up and showed off his craftiness and a pretty fake and step-through in the lane. He just looked like a pro today with how confidently he carried himself, led his team, hit jumpers and bounced back from misses.
He's one of the draft's most accomplished shooters who's also an excellent pick-and-roll player with high IQ and toughness to compensate for limited athleticism. Scheierman improved his case as a role-playing connector who could be ready for some rookie minutes.
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