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The 2024 NBA draft is still about six weeks away, but the combine is taking place through May 19 as NBA scouts, GMs, and analysts get an in-depth look at the prospects hoping to get picked this year.
Prospects were measured, athletic testing was done, and shooting performances were evaluated on the first few days of drills – and while it’s no match for the data accrued during the season or even in upcoming scrimmages, it’s still a valuable way to learn about future NBA stars.
Quite a few players boosted their draft stock thanks to strong measurements and/or athletic testing, including the two players widely considered the best in college basketball last season: Purdue’s Zach Edey and Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht.
They are included among our five biggest stock risers after the first two days of the NBA draft combine:
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Edey was the most dominant player in college basketball the past two seasons, but concerns about his lack of shooting and defensive mobility persisted heading into the draft combine.
Edey put many of those concerns to rest, shooting 90% on free throws, 60% from the midrange, and knocking in 56% of his three point shots on day one. He measured 7’3.75 without shoes, had a 7’10.75 wingspan and was 299 pounds, all while posting excellent times in the lane agility and even edging out UConn big Donovan Clingan in the 3/4 court sprint.
Edey now seems like a lock to go in the first round and could be off the board during the lottery when the draft rolls around in June.
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Bona is a defensive big man prospect out of UCLA, but the Bruins bad season and concerns about his size have led to a lot of mocks projecting him as a mid second round pick.
However, while Bona measured 6’8.25 without shoes at the combine, his ridiculous 7’3.75 wingspan was third among all players, only behind Edey and Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner. Additionally, Bona’s mid-range shot looked better than anticipated, and the feeling that he can be a more impactful NBA player from day one is growing among scouts and analysts.
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Knecht is known almost exclusively for his shooting ability, but his testing and measurements at the combine really showcased a player who can be more dynamic at the next level. Knecht measured at 6’5.25 and 212 pounds without shoes, while also posting a 39 inch max vertical jump and a 6’9 wingspan.
As for the shooting? Well, he more than lived up to the billing with his spot shooting and pull up shooting at the combine, further emphasizing his immediate impact at the next level. The positive measurements and high level shooting could vault Knecht all the way into the top five on draft day.
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Carrington will be just 18 years old on draft night, and his raw upside already had him squarely on the draft radar coming into the combine. After measuring at 6’3.75 with a 6’8 wingspan, and with a 36.5 inch vertical jump, Carrington continued to turn heads with a lights out shooting performance.
The Pitt point guard knocked down 20 out of 25 spot shots and did well in the pull-up shooting drill, pushing his stock back into the middle of the first round.
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Carter pushed his way into the first round conversation thanks to his versatility and toughness at Providence last year, but what really turned heads on Monday was his athleticism.
The 6’2.25 guard tied for the top max vertical at 42 inches, posted a 35 inch standing leap, a 6’8.75 wingspan, and if that wasn’t enough he broke the NBA draft combine record with his 3/4 court sprint time.
An elite athlete with long arms, physical toughness on defense, and strong navigation skills in the pick and roll should make Carter an easy first round pick in June, and he may not make it out of the lottery.
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/zach-edey-dalton-knecht-stock-risers-2024-nba-draft-combine/