NBA Draft Combine: Scrimmages top performers
Chicago, Illinois – The NBA Draft Combine started on Monday and will go through the week. Selected players will go through interviews, five-on-five play, medicals, skill sessions, individual workouts, and more. Wednesday and Thursday are two days where the five-on-five portions are televised.
Prior to the start of the first day of scrimmages, Draft Express’s Jonathan Givony put out a list of 37 players who declined to play in the five-on-five portion of the event. He added that only one projected first rounded, UConn’s Andre Jackson, is currently projected to participate in the scrimmages.
This is not necessarily which players are the top NBA Draft prospects, but players who performed the best on this day, in this setting. On3 fired up the app and took in the scrimmage. Here are Wednesday’s scrimmage top performers from the NBA Draft Combine.
NBA Draft Combine roster and testing
On3 MVP: F Jordan Miller, Miami
Surprise, surprise, Jordan Miller finishes with a double-double. While teammate Isaiah Wong won ACC Player of the Year, Miller may have been the league’s most valuable player. His ability to affect the game across multiple areas is simply too hard to ignore.
Miller finished the scrimmage with 18 points in just over 18 minutes played. He knocked down 2-of-3 from three and 6-of-10 from the field. His game is never rushed, and his decisions are always precise. Three of his ten rebounds were on the offensive end. He proved to be the ultimate connector piece, simply making everyone’s job on the floor easier.
At 6-foot-4.5 without shoes, Miller measured 6-foot-11.75 wing span. He had an 11-foot-8 max vertical reach.
2. F Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Marquette
Olivier-Maxence Prosper has been building some momentum heading into NBA Draft Combine week. He started the week off measuring 6-foot-6.75, but then he had a 7-foot-1 wing span and a 40.5 max vert. The athletic profile checked off.
Prosper led all scorers in the first scrimmage with 21 points, and you would like to see him shore up the efficiency of his scoring; 5-of-11 from the field and 1-of-5 from three, he was able to get to the free throw line. Prosper was 10-of-12 from the line. However, where he really shined was on the defensive end. Through the course of this scrimmage, Prosper had no problem guarding wings but also guarded fives. His motor ran hot on the boards, his length worked in the passing lanes, and his understanding of defensive positioning had him affected by plays around the basket.
For someone currently sitting in the 25-40 range of the draft, things have gone about as well as they could to this point.
3. G Isaiah Wong, Miami
Isaiah Wong earned this season’s ACC Player of the Year, so the fact he comes into the combine playing full of confidence comes as no surprise. At his heart, Wong is a bucket-getter. Wong measured 6-foot-2.5 without shoes
It was the craft of his handle that got him to his spots. He was able to manipulate screens and work angles to get to his spots in the half-court. Wong easily rose up in the mid-range, keeping great balance throughout to hunt his shots. He finished 6-of-8 from the field, 1-of-2 from the three-point line with 16 points and 4 assists.
4. G Brandin Podziemski, Santa Clara
It is fascinating to think that Brandin Podziemski could not get on the floor last season at Illinois. This season he was the WCC Player of the Year, finishing top five in the conference in points, rebounds, assists, and three-point percentage.
Podziemski played on the ball in this setting and was setting up his teammates with ease. Throughout the first day, he made the game look easy with the ball never sticking, always moving. Podziemski measured at 6-foot-3.75 and almost 204 pounds. The shot-making was there, he came in with that reputation, and it was expected. His ability to make decisions in real-time and play calmly under pressure was impressive. He was picking up some steam heading into the draft; On3 even talked about him as a first-round draft pick in January. On day one, he looked the part.
5. G Amari Bailey, UCLA
Amari Bailey was a central figure of his team, despite being down by 20 to 30 points for much of the fourth quarter. Bailey did not stop competing. He played primarily on the ball as a primary initiator in this setting. He looked comfortable with the ball in his hands in the half-court, and he was confident in making decisions and playing with pace.
Bailey measured 6-foot-3.25 with a 6-foot-7 wing span. His comfort on the ball could go a long way in envisioning what he could be as he moves forward in his career. I like that he knew his spots in the mid-range and even made a couple of tough-angled shots. This was a good start for Bailey, I am going to be interested to see how he does in the second scrimmage, as a lot of his production came when the game was already out of hand here.
6. C Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky
Board man gets paid. Oscar Tshiebwe is the career rebounds per game leader in the SEC with 14.4 over his two seasons at Kentucky. Tshiebwe continued that trend and finished with a scrimmage-high 16 rebounds in 17-plus minutes played.
As expected, Tshiebwe tested smaller than his listed height, 6-foot-7.25. However, he was 256.6 pounds with a 7-foot-3.5 wing span and 10.25″ hand width. Now that the elephant is out, the production can shine. Rebounding is something that translates as you move up levels. Tshiebwe seemingly grabs everything off the rim. Can he continue to develop his offense and move his feet on defense are the questions. He is a force.
7. C Adama Sanogo, UConn
Fresh off of a national championship with UConn, Adama Sanogo settled in and played confidently on both ends of the floor. Sanogo finished with 18 points in 20 minutes played. He caught the ball on the block with patience and showed a go-to, getting over his left shoulder around the rim.
Sanogo measuring at 6-foot-7.25 without shoes, was a little disappointing, but his 7-foot-2.25 wing span and 9-foot-0.5 standing reach helped ease the blow a little. Eight of his ten rebounds were also on the offensive end of the floor, extending possessions. 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 20 minutes is what we have come to expect from Sanogo.
Other notables
Hunter Tyson, Clemson – Hunter Tyson’s shooting translated. The measured over 6-foot-7 without shoes, and he came into the day with a ton of confidence. He played 13 minutes, took nine shots, and made four threes.
Emoni Bates, Eastern Michigan – Emoni Bates had a lot of eyes on him, and he showed some very impressive flashes. Bates is a shot maker. He has consistent form and release at each level on the floor. He played with a good motor, showing some chops on defense. Bates was 4-of-9 from the field with 9 points. It was a solid to good showing.
Adam Flagler, Baylor – Adam Flagler played a smooth game, inserting himself in the spots that were not forced, and he finished plays. He finished with 10 points and 3 assists, going 2-of-5 from three in the scrimmage.
Mojave King, G-League Ignite – Mojave King opened some eyes when he came in at the NBA Draft Combine with a max vert over 40 inches. He translated his 6-foot-8 wing span and explosion into 15 points and some good transition play.
Drew Timme, Gonzaga – Drew Timme’s footwork was impressive. That is something we have come to see from him over his college career. He measured 6-foot-8.75 without shoes but had a 7-foot-1.75 wing span. There are still footspeed questions, and you want to see him expand that range.
Seth Lundy, Penn State – Shooting travels. Seth Lundy showcased a smooth, confident jump shot, knocking down 4-of-5 shots during the first scrimmage. He also showed an ability to read the game with four assists. Lundy measured 6-foot-4 without shoes and had a 6-foot-10.25 wingspan at 214.4 pounds.
Kendric Davis, Memphis – The interesting part of Kendric Davis’ game was his ability to pressure on the opposing team at the point of attack. He measured 5-foot-10.25 without shoots and 181.2 pounds. It was important to show he could defend the point of attack, touch the paint, and make shots. He was 3-of-6 from the field with 10 points in just over 12 minutes played.
Dillon Jones, Weber State – Dillon Jones is a state sheet stuffer, no matter the level or the setting he is playing. He showed the passing with some nice reads in traffic. He also displayed that defensive presence that got people talking during the G-League Elite Camp. Jones makes winning plays. 17 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals.
Dillon Mitchell, Texas – Dillon Mitchell came in with a reputation for explosion. The athleticism and the length were not a surprise, along with the defensive upside. In the scrimmage, the jump shot did not fall; however, in the drill portion, you saw improved form and a lot of makes off the catch. Day two will be interesting for him.
Tosan Evbuomwan, Princeton – We talked about it with the G-League Elite Camp, Tosan Evbuomwan game isn’t necessarily what shines in these types of settings. However, the length, the movement, and some of the finishes in transition were quite impressive. He finished with 10 points on 4-of-5 from three and showed upside on the defensive end.
Ben Sheppard, Belmont – Ben Sheppard is an older player, having spent four years at Belmont. He has good size, and he showed the ability to make a shot. It was an overall positive showing.
Tristan Vukcevic, Real Madrid – The size is real, 6-foot-11.25 without shoes. He showed that he can make shots off the catch from three and score on the block with a go-to and counters. The athleticism will be a question with him. Can he guard? But there is a skill set there that opened eyes.
Johni Broome, Auburn – Johni Broome was far and away the most productive player at the G-League Elite Camp, and he showed during the first scrimmage his presence around the basket could be a factor. He measured 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-0 wing span at 247.2 pounds. 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists. The production continues.
Jalen Pickett, Penn State – Jalen Pickett has a big frame and a unique skill set. I was curious to see how he would fit in with this setting. He showed passing ability and comfort in making decisions in the half-court. He also showed a solid rebounder. Intangibles.