Prospects with the Most to Gain from 2018 NBA Draft Combine
Scouts and executives fly to Chicago every year for the NBA combine, where they watch and meet the top prospects under one roof.
It's a great opportunity for players to make an impression in front of general managers who didn't get to evaluate them live November through March.
Last year, it was Kyle Kuzma and Derrick White who had big showings and benefited as a result, likely having gone from second-round boards to being picked in the 20s. Zach LaVine, Larry Nance Jr., DeAndre' Bembry and Pascal Siakam are just a few other names who appeared to improve their stock at recent combines.
Scrimmages and interviews are no doubt the most important portions of the event. But shooting drills, measurements and athletic testing can also factor into teams' assessments.
The following prospects should be expected to participate in everything and show teams something they couldn't during the season.
Kostas Antetokounmpo (Dayton, F, Freshman)
1 of 13
Pre-combine projection: Undrafted
Most to gain: General NBA interest
Key portions of combine to impress: Scrimmage, shooting drills, athletic testing, measurements, interviews
Agent: Yes
After averaging just 5.2 points as a freshman, it's possible Kostas Antetokounmpo's name helped earn him an invite to the combine. But Dayton's coaching staff didn't do him any favors in 2017-18, and in Chicago, he'll be placed on an equal playing field with other second-round prospects, where he'll have the chance to prove he's further along and more effective than he showed in 15.1 minutes per game in college.
Younger brother of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis, Kostas is still physical tools and athleticism over skill. His main draw remains potential defensive versatility as a 6'10" forward who can block shots and guard the perimeter. But shooting drills and scrimmaging present him with the opportunity to surprise scouts and executives.
It's not far-fetched to think teams will be looking for reasons to bet on the Antetokounmpo genes with a pick in the 40s or 50s.
Brian Bowen II (South Carolina, SF, Freshman)
2 of 13
Pre-combine projection: Undrafted
Most to gain: General NBA interest
Key portions of combine to impress: Scrimmage, shooting drills, athletic testing, measurements, interviews
Agent: No
Tied to the FBI's pay-for-play investigation, Brian Bowen II didn't suit up in 2017-18 after being named a McDonald's All-American and co-MVP of the 2017 Jordan Brand Classic. He transferred from Louisville to South Carolina midway through the season, only to watch from the bench.
With questions over his eligibility, it made sense for Bowen to test the waters, and the NBA was intrigued enough to grant him an invite to the combine.
He'll be a main attraction, given how little information teams have on him, both as a player and person.
Shooting drills present Bowen with an opportunity to first draw attention. A smooth, effortless-looking jumper is arguably his biggest selling point, particularly for a 6'7" wing, a measurement he'll also want to confirm.
Bowen will then be expected to participate during the scrimmage, where he'll have the chance to showcase his signature perimeter scoring ability.
He's unlikely to impress during athletic testing because he doesn't have standout speed, strength or explosiveness, but scouts will be looking to see how good of shape he's kept himself in, since he didn't play a minute in college.
Teams will also have plenty of questions to ask during interviews, which he must be prepared for.
Overall, Bowen will be looking to generate enough NBA interest to either land in the second round or earn a training camp invite. Developing in the pros or G League seems like a more desirable option than taking his chances with the NCAA.
Bruno Fernando (Maryland, C, Freshman)
3 of 13
Pre-combine projection: 2019 first-round pick
Most to gain: 2018 first-round interest
Key portions of combine to impress : Scrimmage, athletic testing, measurements
Agent: No
Bruno Fernando physically looks the part of an NBA player with monster tools and athleticism that translated to a 57.8 percent field-goal mark and 17.5 rebounding percentage. With pedestrian scoring production (10.3 points), room to grow and long-term potential, Fernando could have come back to school, taken another step and emerged as a 2019 lottery-caliber prospect.
That said, testing the waters makes sense to gain experience and feedback from teams. But there is also the possibility that a team recognizes a future NBA big man and shows a willingness to reach and wait on Fernando's development.
He can improve the chances of that happening during scrimmages by showing he's sharpened his offensive skill in the post and mid-range.
There is no question he'll impress during athletic testing and measurements, given his chiseled, powerful frame currently listed at 6'10", 245 pounds. If he can make a significant impact and impression in five-on-fives, teams may be more convinced to buy into his development and ultimately look to persuade Fernando to stay in the draft.
Austin Wiley (Auburn, C, Sophomore)
4 of 13
Pre-combine projection: Second round
Most to gain: First-round interest
Key portions of combine to impress: Scrimmage, shooting drills, measurements, interviews
Agent: No
Ineligible for 2017-18 after being tied to the FBI investigation, Austin Wiley has thrown his name into the NBA draft ring. And despite sitting out the year and only averaging 8.8 points as a freshman, teams will have close eyes on Wiley in Chicago, including those with late first-round picks.
He generated buzz over the summer by averaging a double-double in 19.9 minutes per game at the FIBA U19 World Cup. Wiley is an old-school interior-oriented center, valued for his ability to score down low, clean the glass, put back misses, provide energy and bring an overall physical presence to the paint.
He won't fare well during athletic testing, but scrimmaging, measurements (body fat percentage) and interviews will be key, and though not known for shooting, Wiley would help himself by looking somewhat competent with his jumper during drills.
Regardless, five-on-fives will be the important event where he can re-establish and ultimately strengthen his image as a specialist for his around-the-basket activity.
Billy Preston (Kansas, PF, Freshman)
5 of 13
Pre-combine projection: Undrafted
Most to gain: General NBA interest
Key portions of combine to impress: Scrimmage, interviews
Agent: No
This past year couldn't have gone worse for Billy Preston. Kansas' top recruit never played a game (following a one-car accident that led to a confusingly long NCAA investigation) before heading overseas in January only to log 47 total minutes, injure his shoulder and return to the United States.
NBA teams remained intrigued enough to grant him an invite to the combine, a major opportunity for Preston to win back supporters and show what fueled all the hype out of high school.
While scrimmages will be important, since scouts have barely seen him play, interviews will be equally as crucial.
He'll measure and jump like an NBA athlete. Outplaying the top college prospects and demonstrating maturity when meeting with teams will help revive NBA interest in the athletic power forward.
De'Anthony Melton (USC, PG/SG, Sophomore)
6 of 13
Pre-combine projection: Fringe first round
Most to gain: First-round assurance
Key portions of combine to impress: Scrimmage, shooting drills, measurements, interviews
Agent: Yes
Held out for the season by USC for ties to the FBI's pay-for-play investigation, De'Anthony Melton sensibly left the program to train for the NBA draft.
Back in October, he'd been viewed as a breakout prospect to monitor after averaging 5.1 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.5 blocks per 40 minutes, unique numbers for a guard that reflect two-way playmaking and versatility.
This was the year scouts were hoping to see him take a leap as a scorer and shooter. He'll have the chance to show teams he's improved his overall skill during scrimmages (should he participate) and jumper (21-of-74 3PTM-A in 2016-17) in drills.
It wouldn't be shocking if he's advised to sit out five-on-fives, however, to create the perception he's already a first-rounder and doesn't have anything to prove.
Otherwise, he should fare well during athletic testing and impress with his measurements, which will highlight strength, length and size for both backcourt positions.
If he excels in interviews and convinces teams he has made (and will continue making) progress as a shooter, Melton should see his stock rise, possibly into the mid-first-round discussion.
Jarred Vanderbilt (Kentucky, PF, Freshman)
7 of 13
Pre-combine projection: 2019 second round
Most to gain: 2018 first-round interest
Key: Scrimmage, shooting drills, athletic testing, measurements
Agent: No
From a draft-stock perspective, Jarred Vanderbilt may have been better off missing the season instead of returning from a foot injury midway through to play 17.0 minutes a game and average 5.9 points on 42.6 percent shooting. More questions popped up once he took the floor.
He'll want to answer them in Chicago by convincing teams his struggles were the result of getting a late start. Since the end of the year, he's had time to make fixes, sharpen his skill level and improve his conditioning.
Vanderbilt brings an intriguing mix of athleticism, length, high-level rebounding instincts (18.5 per 40 minutes) and passing ability. He wouldn't have received an invite if NBA teams weren't curious.
Flashing the versatility scouts saw at the 2017 Nike Hoop Summit (19 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals, two blocks) could help remind them of what made him a top recruit out of high school. They'll be watching him closely during scrimmages and drills. A quiet showing will likely result in Vanderbilt's returning with something to prove as a sophomore.
Donte DiVincenzo (Villanova, SG, Sophomore)
8 of 13
Pre-combine projection: Fringe first round
Most to gain: Mid-first-round interest
Key portions of combine to impress: Scrimmage, shooting drills, athletic testing
Agent: No
Donte DiVincenzo wasn't likely thinking about the 2018 draft until he erupted for 31 points in the national title game and earned an invite to the NBA combine.
Teams are still assessing the legitimacy of DiVincenzo's breakout performance and ultimately his entire body of work at Villanova. And they'll use the combine as one of the final scouting chances to gather information and complete their evaluation.
Torching the competition during scrimmages would help DiVincenzo validate his strong NCAA tournament play. And given his valuable versatility as an energetic playmaker (3.5 assists), shooter (40.1 percent 3PT) and defender, there could be plenty of enticed potential suitors—even in the mid-first round—once all the high-profile prospects are gone.
Viewed as a fringe first-rounder entering the combine, DiVincenzo, who's yet to hire an agent, has the opportunity to make a serious push up draft boards in Chicago.
Devon Hall (Virginia, SG, Senior)
9 of 13
Pre-combine projection: Undrafted
Most to gain: Second-round interest
Key portions of combine to impress: Scrimmage, shooting drills, interviews
Agent: Yes
Just like Derrick White in 2017, Devon Hall earned himself an invite to the combine after impressing at the Portsmouth Invitational in April. He's a sleeper senior similarly capable of strengthening his draft case even further in Chicago.
A convincing shooter (43.2 percent 3PT) and tough defender who passes well (3.1 assists) and makes good decisions (1.0 turnovers in 32.1 minutes), Hall checks boxes that point to role player potential, even though he's not an advanced athlete or creator.
He comes off as a mature player whose strengths can translate if given a role and chance to play to them. The right team could view Hall as a fit, and a standout performance during scrimmages could ultimately make it easier to envision.
Tony Carr (Penn State, PG/SG, Sophomore)
10 of 13
Pre-combine projection: Fringe first round
Most to gain: First-round assurance
Key portions of combine to impress: Scrimmage
Agent: Yes
Tony Carr averaged 19.6 points and 5.0 assists and then declared for the draft with an agent. A 6'5" scoring point guard who shot 43.3 percent from three, he has a chance to go first round, but he isn't in a lock with questions over his 39.5 two-point percentage, and therefore he's likely to participate during five-on-fives.
Carr will be one of the most talented offensive players in the scrimmage, and by showing up second-rounders and a handful of others looking to draw first-round love, he can push himself over to the right side of the fence.
At worst, Carr could find himself falling into the mid-40s, though he'll be playing for guaranteed money in Chicago.
Sagaba Konate (West Virginia, C, Sophomore)
11 of 13
Pre-combine projection: 2019 first round
Most to gain: 2018 first-round interest
Key portions of combine to impress: Scrimmage, shooting drills, measurements
Agent: No
Rarely mentioned during the season in the 2018 draft discussion, Sagaba Konate entered anyway without an agent and wound up receiving an invite to the combine.
He'll have a shot to establish himself as a first-round sleeper during scrimmages by dominating defensively. Konate is a rim-protection specialist whose 15.6 block percentage was higher than those of projected top-10 picks Mohamed Bamba and Jaren Jackson Jr.
But he's only listed at 6'8" at West Virginia. Measuring closer to 6'9" with a giant wingspan will make it easier for scouts to picture him succeeding at center.
And despite his offensive limitations, he did shoot 79.0 percent from the free-throw line on 100 attempts. Showing surprising touch on his jumper during drills could help Konate build more intrigue and earn extra workouts following the combine.
Jerome Robinson (Boston College, PG/SG, Sophomore)
12 of 13
Pre-combine projection: Second round
Most to gain: First-round interest
Key portions of combine to impress: Scrimmage, shooting drills, measurements, athletic testing, interviews
Agent: Yes
Arguably the most overlooked prospect from the ACC, Jerome Robinson is a candidate to flip the projections from second round to first in Chicago.
He'd likely have earned more respect during the season had Boston College (19-16) won more games. But a standout showing at the combine after averaging 20.7 points on 48.5 percent shooting (53.3 percent 2PT, 40.9 percent 3PT) could help legitimize his stats and diminish concerns tied to his college record.
Physically, teams should see an NBA body and athlete during measurements and testing, when he could come in around 6'6" and put up strong vertical jump numbers.
An explosive scorer and articulate speaker, Robinson is built to impress during every portion of the combine.
Prospects B/R Projects as 1st-Round Picks Who Will Skip Scrimmages
13 of 13
Those projected as strong first-round bets typically skip scrimmages because of having more to lose than gain. Sometimes, older players scouts have already seen plenty of will also sit out. We expect the following prospects to only participate in interviews, measurements and/or drills and athletic testing, which will make it difficult for them to move the draft-stock needle in Chicago.
Michigan State's Jaren Jackson Jr.: Projected top five
Duke's Marvin Bagley III: Projected top five
Texas' Mohamed Bamba: Projected top 10
Oklahoma's Trae Young: Projected top 10
Missouri's Michael Porter Jr.: Projected top 10
Villanova's Mikal Bridges: Projected lottery
Duke's Wendell Carter Jr. Projected lottery
Michigan State's Miles Bridges: Projected lottery
Alabama's Collin Sexton: Projected lottery
Kentucky's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Projected top 20
Kentucky's Kevin Knox: Projected top 20
Miami's Lonnie Walker IV: Projected top 25
USA's Mitchell Robinson: Projected top 25
Missouri's Jontay Porter: Projected first round
Texas Tech's Zhaire Smith: Projected first round
USA's Anfernee Simons: Projected first round
Ohio State's Keita Bates-Diop: Projected first round
Boise State's Chandler Hutchison: Projected first round
UCLA's Aaron Holiday: Projected first round
Villanova's Jalen Brunson: Projected first round
Oregon's Troy Brown: Projected fringe first round
Duke's Grayson Allen: Projected fringe first round
USC's Chimezie Metu: Projected early second round
