More on Draft Combine
Jeff Goodman: Former LSU guard Antonio Blakeney is an alternate for the NBA combine.
Arizona freshman Kobi Simmons has been invited to the NBA Combine.
Jeff Goodman: Valparaiso's Alec Peters has been invited to the NBA combine. Won't participate due to recovering from injury.
Jeff Goodman: As of now, Markelle Fultz plans on attending the draft combine in Chicago, source told ESPN. Likely just do a couple interviews if he goes.
Five Kentucky basketball players were invited to the NBA combine, according to reports. De'Aaron Fox, Bam Adebayo, Isaiah Briscoe, Malik Monk and Hamidou Diallo were invited to the NBA Draft combine that will take place in Chicago on May 9-14.
Former Cal forward Ivan Rabb has been invited to the NBA Scouting Combine in Chicago.
Louisville's Donovan Mitchell received an invitation to the NBA draft combine, set for May 9-14 in Chicago. His teammate and roommate, Deng Adel, is on the list of alternates who could be invited if another player pulls out of the scouting event.
According to sources, Ball won't attend, and he may be joined by Fultz and others expected to be selected high in the lottery.
Monte Morris will participate in the NBA’s draft combine next month in Chicago. Teammate Deonte Burton won’t.
Jeff Goodman: Been told that UNC will also have Isaiah Hicks at the NBA combine. He was also invited.
Jeff Goodman: BYU big man Eric Mika has been invited to the NBA combine.
Jeff Goodman: Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Josh Jackson, Jayson Tatum all invited to the combine. Question is whether their agents let them attend.
Shams Charania: Sources: Possible top pick Lonzo Ball formally informed NBA today he will skip the Draft Combine. Several top prospects expected to do same.
Jeff Goodman: Former Oklahoma State guard Jawun Evans has been invited to the NBA combine.
Jeff Goodman: Again, been told Indiana big man Thomas Bryant received an invite to the NBA combine. So did ex-Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss.
Jeff Goodman: Couple guys I am told are on the “alternate list” for the NBA Draft combine include Michigan’s Derrick Walton and Louisville’s Deng Adel.
Jeff Goodman: Add former Creighton big man Justin Patton to those I have confirmed that has been invited to the NBA Draft Combine.
Jeff Goodman: Kansas’ trio of Josh Jackson, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and Frank Mason have all been invited to the NBA combine.
Jeff Goodman: Colorado’s Derrick White has received an invite to the NBA combine. One of the coolest stories in college hoops this past year.
Jeff Goodman: Former NC State guard Dennis Smith Jr., has been invited to the NBA combine.
South Carolina’s Sindarius Thornwell is one step closer to fulfilling his NBA dream. Thornwell on Friday night reported via social media an invite to this year’s NBA Draft Combine, held May 9-14 in Chicago. The NBA Draft in June 22.
RealGM: League Office Reviewing Draft Combine Measurements: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/241983/League-Office-Reviewing-Draft-Combine-Measurements
We've reached the point where everyone -- players, agents, GMs, scouts, league officials -- is dissatisfied with the draft combine. Expect the combine itself, and the medical testing that happens there, to be a thorny little slice of collective bargaining talks.
Perhaps just as important as his athletic testing, Maker came off well in interviews, giving the impression that his journey through life has provided him a unique world view. Like Diallo, whoever selects Maker is likely going to have to wait a considerable amount of time until he pays dividends, but for a player who has spent so much time out of the conventional radar, being able to remind executives what makes him so intriguing certainly helped his stock.
Maryland sophomore guard Melo Trimble met with the Sixers and will work out with them on May 25 as he contemplates his decision to stay in the draft. During his team interview, he emphasized how he feels he could impact a turnaround. “When I got there, we went to the tournament, which hadn’t been done in a while,” Trimble said. “I feel like wherever I go, I bring a winning culture.”
A common trend at the draft combine was projected top picks foregoing media availability. Providence point guard Kris Dunn was one of the few anticipated top selections to meet with reporters. He explained his reason for participating, and it didn’t have to do with promoting himself. “I’ve been talking to you guys because I have no problem talking to the media,” said Dunn, who interviewed with the Sixers. “Whatever questions you guys have, I’m going to try to answer to the best of my ability. But the reason I am here in Chicago at the combine is to support my guys.” Players Dunn works out with were at the combine, as was college teammate Ben Bentil.
There are a couple of prospects who entered the combine on the bubble but are likely to stay in the draft. Kansas center Cheick Diallo, who played sparingly during his freshman season, flourished during five-on-five play and is expected to hire an agent. Maryland guard Melo Trimble, who struggled toward the end of last season, could also be eligible for the draft. The best player at the combine has been Saint Joseph’s swingman DeAndre Bembry, who already has hired an agent after leaving the Hawks following his junior season. Bembry was considered a likely early second-rounder before the combine but has impressed scouts with his versatility. Oakland guard Kay Felder, who has interviewed with the Celtics, measured as the shortest player at the combine, at 5-8¼ without shoes.
Pistons general manager Jeff Bower, without addressing Maker specifically, said the team might be more willing to take a boom-or-bust chance with a high-ceiling prospect because of improved roster stability after a 44-win season. "I think we could," Bower said. "I think the strength of the draft is such that picking at 18, you're going to look for some ways to make a difference and that's one avenue that we've looked at."
Stephen Zimmerman, the 7-foot center who played one year at UNLV, was another player the Pistons interviewed. Stan Van Gundy, Detroit's president of basketball operations and head coach, may have his eye on a floor-stretching center and noted late last season that about 40 percent of NBA teams have one. "It was real cool to have him (Van Gundy) in there," during the interview, Zimmerman said, "and they gave me a lot of good feedback on stuff that I need to work on. I think I did well in that interview." The Las Vegas native averaged 10.5 points and 8.7 rebounds in his only college season.
Jim Eichenhofer: FYI on combine interviews with teams: NBA has final determination on which players a team interviews. Teams only submit list of preferences
Aran Smith: Ben Bentil one of the winners of the NBA Draft Combine according to scouts. Considered likely in 25-35 range now.
A number of GMs told me that Diallo -- more than any other prospect -- moved the needle significantly Thursday. Another strong day on Friday and Diallo may move from bubble first-rounder to a late lottery or mid-first-round pick. Diallo has been testing the draft waters, preserving his college eligibility. Most teams assumed he'd return to Kansas for his sophomore season. While most agree he might be better off long-term returning to Kansas, he looks like a lock for the first round if he can continue to play well.
Jon Rothstein: Official NBA Draft measurements from Chicago: http://on.nba.com/1WslBAE
Skiles was not a part of the Magic's delegation that interviewed eight draft prospects Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday evening in Chicago. The delegation included Hennigan, assistant general managers Scott Perry and Matt Lloyd, scout Anthony Parker and lead assistant coach Adrian Griffin. Magic officials said a search for a new coach will begin immediately.
Ian Begley: Kurt Rambis is in Chicago with the Knicks at the NBA's draft combine with GM Steve Mills & other front office members, per league sources.
Yet, Demps is conducting business as usual in getting the franchise prepared for the upcoming NBA Draft. Demps and several members of his basketball operations staff are in Chicago for the five-day NBA Draft combine, which is set to begin on Wednesday afternoon in Chicago. Although the combine workouts won't start until Thursday and Friday, Demps was expected to concentrate his efforts on interviewing a number of targeted prospects on Wednesday, sources say.
As of Tuesday, Duke small forward Brandon Ingram, Oklahoma shooting guard Buddy Hield, Providence point guard Kris Dunn, and Kentucky point guard Jamal Murray were still scheduled to attend the combine. "It's hard to walk out of Chicago with a whole lot of basketball evaluation," Colangelo said. "Most of the basketball evaluation has already been done."
Ira Winderman: ESPN reporting that Miami's Sheldon McClellan has been added to the field at the NBA's pre-draft combine, the lone Cane invited.
Adam Zagoria: The #Knicks are expected to have Steve Mills, Allan Houston&Kristian Petesic at the NBA Combine, source tells @SNYtv.Want to add 2nd-rounder
Jeff Goodman: Former Miami wing Sheldon McClellan will attend the NBA draft combine. Was previously on the alternate list.
Miami senior Sheldon McClellan will now attend the combine as a replacement, sources told The Vertical.
Del Harris, a longtime NBA coach, explained. Cauley-Stein and his agent were aware that NBA types wondered about the ex-Cat’s devotion to basketball. So, an interest in art was a bad thing. To prove his love of basketball, he turned his back on art. Or as Cauley-Stein told reporters at the Combine, “My life revolves around the ball.” This story made Harris chuckle. “Let’s face it,” he said. “The good agents are going to prep the good players just as a lawyer — and many of the agents are in fact lawyers — would prep a witness in a trial. “Because this is a form of a trial. You’re put on the witness stand.”
Jeff Goodman: Again: Ben Simmons and Dejounte Murray (both repped by Rich Paul) as well as Domantas Sabonis declined invite. RT: NBA Draft: The 2016 #NBACombine Participant List Released: http://on.nba.com/1SS6KsA
Adam Zagoria: Kansas freshman Cheick Diallo was invited to the NBA Combine but hasn't yet hired an agent.
Adam Zagoria: Damion Lee was not invited to the NBA Combine, source tells @SNYtv. Only Onuaku from Louisville
Jeff Goodman: Brice Johnson and Marcus Paige have both been invited to the NBA combine, source told ESPN.
Adam Zagoria: Chinanu Onuaku and Michael Gbinije also invited, sources confirm. Plus Josh Hart per @GoodmanESPN
Jeff Goodman: Former Syracuse guard Michael Gbinije has received an invite to the NBA Combine, agent Rich Kleiman told ESPN.
The NBA Draft Combine runs May 11-15 in Chicago and invitations have begun to go out. Below is a list of players invited. This will be continually updated and was combined via sources and media reports. The NBA announced Monday that 162 players -- 117 players from colleges/post-graduate institutions and 45 international players - have filed as early entry candidates for the 2016 NBA Draft presented by State Farm.
Jeff Goodman: Alex Poythress and Marcus Lee both on the alternate list for the NBA combine, a source close to the Kentucky program told ESPN.
Adam Zagoria: Jaylen Brown invited to the NBA Combine, Cuonzo Martin tells @SNYtv
Jeff Goodman: Purdue’s Caleb Swanigan has been invited to the NBA combine, Roosevelt Barnes told ESPN.
Adam Zagoria: Troy Williams invited to the NBA Draft combine, per the legendary Boo Williams
Jeff Goodman: Former Utah big man Jakob Poeltl has been invited to NBA combine, his agent Michael Tellem confirmed to ESPN.
Jeff Goodman: Kansas guard Wayne Selden has been invited to the NBA combine, his agent Neal Rosenshein told ESPN.
Adam Zagoria: St. Joe's DeAndre' Bembry invited to NBA Combine. @ColderThan_Fire
Jeff Goodman: Former Florida forward Dorian Finney Smith has been invited to the NBA combine, source told ESPN.
Jeff Goodman: Daniel Hamilton has been invited to the NBA combine, agent Sam Goldfeder told ESPN.
Jeff Goodman: Former Maryland forward Jake Layman has been invited to the NBA combine, source told ESPN.
Adam Zagoria: Jamal Murray, Thon Maker and Malachi Richardson invited to NBA Combine, sources tell @SNYtv
Adam Zagoria: Denzel Valentine invited to NBA Combine, source tells @SNYtv
Adam Zagoria: Gonzaga's Kyle Wiltjer and Domantas Sabonis both invited to the Combine, per source
Adam Zagoria: Jarrod Uthoff invited to NBA Combine, source tells @SNYtv
Jeff Goodman: Buddy Hield and Marquese Chriss have been invited to the NBA Draft Combine, agent Rob Pelinka told ESPN.
Jeff Goodman: Seton Hall's Isaiah Whitehead told ESPN he has been invited to the NBA Draft Combine. Has not signed with agent.
Jeff Goodman: Kansas forward Cheick Diallo has been invited to the NBA combine, source told ESPN.
Jeff Goodman: NBA Draft Combine invites going out. Two guys who got invites: DeAndre' Bembry and Jarrod Uthoff, agent Adam Pensack told ESPN.
