The NBA held its annual combine on May 12, Thursday in Chicago for upcoming rookies to showcase their talents in front of scouts, coaches and front office executives. A total of 61 prospects participated in many different events such as 5-on-5 scrimmages, shooting drills, athletic measurements and team interviews.
According to USA Today, Cheick Diallo of the University of Kansas and Thon Maker from Orangeville Prep in Ontario, Canada were very impressive during the NBA combine and might have improved their draft stock. Diallo, the 6-foot-9 center, averaged 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in two games at the combine.
The Mali native showed his touch around the rim, as well as his defensive potential. On the other hand, the 7-foot-3 Maker did not participate in any 5-on-5 drills but impressed people with his measurements.
The 19-year-old player from Sudan had a 36.5-inch running vertical jump which was the record for players 6-foot-11 or taller. His most striking skills: maturity and competitive nature were revealed during the interviews which left many teams impressed.
Nonetheless, both Diallo and Maker are seen as project players who will need patience and time to develop properly. They both possess raw talent and athleticism that could translate well in the NBA under the right team.
According to the latest Draft Express mock draft, Diallo is expected to be a late first round pick while Maker is still a second rounder. However, there will be teams that will take a boom-or-bust chance with those two young players.
Some of the prospects that were also impressive at the NBA draft combine are DeAndre Bembry of Saint Joseph's University, Chinanu Onuaku of the University of Louisville and Jaron Blossomgame of Clemson University. Bembry is a 6-foot-6 small forward is a projected late first round pick but his performance may get him selected in the middle of the first round.
Onuaku, a 6-foot-10 center, impressed teams with his energy, hustle and defensive rotations. However, he has not hired an agent and could go back to Louisville for his junior season.
Blossomgame, who is expected to go late in the second round, helped his stock rise with a very good performance at the combine. His main weakness was shooting but he was perfect from the three-point line and put up good numbers in the shooting drills.
The 2016 NBA draft lottery will be on May 17, Tuesday with the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers having the best chance to land the first overall pick. The top prospects this year are Brandon Ingram of Duke University and Ben Simmons of Louisiana State University.
Check the video below for some of the highlights of the 2016 NBA Draft Combine.