Michigan basketball at the NBA Combine: Kobe Bufkin measurements, testing numbers
Michigan Wolverines basketball has two NBA Draft hopefuls this summer in guards Kobe Bufkin and Jett Howard. Both were invited to the NBA Combine, but Howard appears to have opted against participating. He was one of a handful of prospects who did not go through measurements Monday.
There were multiple positives coming out of Bufkin’s day, though. Bufkin, who declared for the draft after two seasons at Michigan, was listed at 6-foot-4 for the Wolverines. He measured in at 6-4.25 without shoes, meaning he’s around 6-5 in shoes.
“6’5″ in shoes is a big deal for Kobe Bufkin,” wrote Draft Deeper’s Nathan Grubel. “Legitimate combo guard who got great developmental reps at PG this past season for Michigan in the 2nd half of the year. Rising up my board as he has everyone else’s.
Bufkin’s max vertical leap was also impressive. He posted 38.5 inches, the ninth-best among all prospects. That mark would’ve ranked tied for fifth among guards at last year’s combine.
Here’s a look at the Michigan guard’s full list of testing numbers from Monday:
• Height without shoes: 6-4.25 inches (listed at 6-4 at Michigan)
• Weight: 186.8 pounds (listed at 195 at Michigan)
• Hand length: 8.00 inches (23rd of 26 guards)
• Hand width: 9.25 inches (11th of 26 guards)
• Standing reach: 8 feet and 6.50 inches (ninth of 26 guards)
• Wingspan: 6 feet and 7.75 inches
• Max vertical leap: 38.5 inches (fourth among guards)
• No-step vertical jump: 29.0 inches
Bufkin has been one of the fastest rising prospects during the pre-draft process. Once considered a late-first-round selection, he’s pushing into lottery territory.
The Ringer‘s Kevin O’Connor released his NBA Draft Guide ahead of the combine and listed Bufkin as the No. 10 overall prospect. Howard — once a projected lottery pick — slotted No. 23.
The top four attributes O’Connor assigned to Bufkin are feel for the game, on-ball defense, pull-up threat and hustle.
“Versatile half-court talent who can thrive with or without the ball,” O’Connor wrote of Bufkin. “Michigan used him in pick-and-rolls and handoffs, and he showed potential for improvising as a cutter and relocator. Pairing him with an offensive hub would be ideal.
“Excellent, ambidextrous at-rim finisher who can hit flip shots without even leaving his feet. But when he does elevate, he glides through the air for acrobatic at-rim touch finishes, and he doesn’t need a ton of space to get above the rim for dunks.
“Dramatically improved his efficiency as a shooter during his sophomore season, showcasing reliable ability off the catch and smooth, consistent mechanics.
“Flashes upside as a dribble-jumper scorer who can get super hot from midrange. He has pull-ups, side steps, and stepbacks all in his bag. He looks especially comfortable dribbling laterally to get into his shots, a valuable tool when facing pressure.”
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