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Draft Combine: Athleticism Results

Harrison Barnes: 38" no-step vert, 39.5" max vert, 15 bench, 10.93 agility, 3.16 sprint
 
Barnes really wasn’t ever considered an elite-level athlete, but he managed to put up some very impressive numbers at the combine. He had a no-step vert of 38" (the highest at the combine by a significant amount) and a max vert of 39.5". He also managed to record above-average times of 10.93 seconds in the lane agility drill and 3.16 seconds in the 3/4 court sprint, and then benched 185 lbs 15 times for good measure. His impressive all-around numbers can only help his draft stock.
 
Andre Drummond: 31.5" no-step vert, 33.5" max vert, 10 bench, 10.83 lane agility, 3.39 sprint
 
None of Drummond’s numbers rank among the best in this year’s draft class, but his overall results are still very impressive for a player with his immense size. Some may scoff at his 33.5" max vert, but keep in mind that DeAndre Jordan is considered one of the most athletic centers in the NBA, and his max vert was only measured at 30.5" in 2008. In any case, Drummond is still an elite physical specimen at his position.
 
Darius Johnson-Odom: 41.5" max vert, 17 bench, 10.76 lane agility
 
Johnson-Odom’s size is underwhelming, but his combine results are anything but. He registered the highest max vert at the event, clearing 41.5". He also showed off his impressive upper-body strength, benching 185 lbs 17 times. Johnson Odom’s strong showing here should help him secure a spot somewhere in the second round of this year’s draft.
 
Perry Jones: 33" no-step vert, 38.5" max vert
 
Jones’ production this season didn’t blow anybody away, but his reputation as one of the draft’s top athletes has kept him in lottery discussions. He reminded us just how intriguing he is as a prospect; measuring over 6’11" in shoes and then recording a 38.5" vertical. Athletes like Jones aren’t exactly common, and he’ll get a lot of attention from teams drafting in the teens.
 
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: 32" no-step vert, 35.5" max vert, 6 bench, 11.7 lane agility, 3.18 sprint
 
Kidd-Gilchrist’s numbers were only modest, but don’t expect this to hurt his stock. After all, there aren’t many players that use their athletic tools as well as Michael does. It’s too bad there’s no combine drill that measures energy.
 
Jeremy Lamb: 31.5" no-step vert, 38" max vert, 3.25 sprint
 
Lamb’s results are about where most people expected them to be, and that’s not a bad thing. His 38" max vert and his near 7’0" wingspan will give him a very nice advantage finishing around the rim in the NBA, provided he develops the aggressive mentality needed to complement it in the future.
 
Meyers Leonard: 30" no-step vert, 32.5" max vert, 19 bench, 11.34 lane agility, 3.41 sprint
 
Leonard’s stock has been on the rise lately, and his performance at the combine can only help. His 30" no-step vert will help him compete on the glass and finish lob passes from teammates. Benching 185 lbs 19 times is a testament to his strength and we already know he runs well for somebody that recently measured over 7’1" in shoes. Athletic centers are always a commodity in the NBA draft, and Leonard satisfies that criteria and then some.
 
Damian Lillard: 34.5" no-step vert, 39.5" max vert, 13 bench
 
Lillard dominated the Big Sky conference, but some question whether he has the athleticism to translate his scoring ability to the NBA. Well, his combine results suggest that he’ll fit right in at the next level. His no-step vert (34.5"), max vert (39.5") and bench results (pressed 185 lbs 13 times) are all above average for his position, and bode well for his draft stock.
 
Kendall Marshall: 37" max vert, 3.23 sprint
 
I watched a lot of ACC basketball this year, yet I’m shocked to my core to learn that Marshall is capable of jumping 37" in the air. I must have missed the games where he displayed that kind of athleticism. In any case, Marshall’s game doesn’t rely on leaping ability, so I’m not sure this affects his stock much.
 
Darius Miller: 33" no-step vert, 37" max vert, 14 bench, 11.72 lane agility, 3.31 sprint
 
Miller has all the makings of a solid role player, and I think his combine numbers adequately reflect that. Though not flashy, his results were strong all-around and shouldn’t suggest he’ll be a liability defending his position in the NBA.
 
Tony Mitchell: 40" max vert, 14 bench
 
If Mitchell gets drafted this season, it’ll be for his impressive athletic profile. His combination of speed, strength, and explosive 40" vert makes him one of the more exciting players to watch in transition. He also uses his athleticism well on the defensive end.
 
Arnett Moultrie: 33.5" no-step vert, 37.5" max vert, 10 bench, 3.22 sprint
 
Moultrie was another player that made a positive impression at the combine. The power forward that recently measured just under 6’11" in shoes scored a 37.5" max vert and ran a 3.22 second 3/4 court sprint. His well-balanced skill-set combined with his nice physical profile should earn him a few looks in the lottery.
 
Miles Plumlee: 34" no-step vert, 40.5" max vert, 15 bench, 10.64 lane agility
 
The eldest Plumlee brother hasn’t always been taken seriously as a prospect, but after measuring just under 7’0" in shoes and recording a shocking 40.5" max vert, many are predicting a few all-star games in his future. Okay, nobody’s confusing Miles for an all-star, but he may have raised his projected stock from "Undrafted" to "Potential Second Round Pick".
 
Thomas Robinson: 35.5" max vert, 15 bench, 3.17 sprint
 
I think Robinson’s results measure up to what we’ve seen from him on the court. He displayed his leaping ability (35.5" max vert), strength (15 bench press reps) and speed (3.17 3/4 court sprint) as the above-average to plus tools that they are. He definitely didn’t do anything to hurt his stock at this year’s combine.
 
 
Jeffery Taylor: 33.5" no-step vert, 40" max vert, 15 bench, 10.87 lane agility, 3.29 sprint
 
Taylor used the combine to validate his standing as one of the top athletes in the draft. Not only can he get up with the best of them with his 40" max vert, but he also demonstrated some strength, benching 185 lbs 15 times. His athleticism and defensive prowess should find him a place in the first round.
 
Marquis Teague: 40.5" max vert, 8 bench, 10.65 lane agility, 3.19 sprint
 
The appeal in Teague as a prospect lies with his athleticism and his ability to penetrate, which puts a little bit more pressure on him to perform well at events like the combine. As it went, I doubt anybody can be disappointed with his recorded 40.5" max vert, 3.19 second 3/4 court sprint and 10.65 second result in the lane agility drill.
 
Losers
 
J’Covan Brown: 26" no-step vert, 29.5" max vert, 3 bench, 11.68 lane agility, 3.47 sprint
 
Brown was never considered a dynamite athlete, but I think most folks were surprised to see his recorded max vert was only 29.5" (which ties him with center Henry Sims as the worst in the class). His underwhelming performance here is likely related directly to his recently-measured 12.5% body fat and could severely affect his chance at getting drafted.

John Henson: 25" no-step vert, 30" max vert, 5 bench
 
Henson’s jumping numbers are shocking enough, but was anybody else flabbergasted that he managed to bench press 185 lbs FIVE times with those spaghetti arms? Anyway, Henson claims he hurt his knee at the event, which would account for his poor results.
 
William Buford: 27.5" no-step vert, 32.5" max vert, 8 bench, 11.4 lane agility, 3.43 sprint
 
Buford’s numbers did not meet expectations, and could hurt his stock a bit. Like Brown, his body fat percentage (11.3%) was a lot higher than you’d prefer from a potential draftee and it clearly hindered his leaping ability, only recording a 27.5" no-step and a 32.5" max vert. He’s still a likely second round pick, but he definitely didn’t help his situation at the combine.

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10 Comments

  1. how about Drummond’s agility?

    dude put up a better time than most of the guards and wings in the agility drill…he beat Beal, Barnes, Lillard, MKG…not bad for 280 lbs.

  2. Given the weights of both
    Given the weights of both Lenoard and Robinson are approx 240 and 250 pounds respectively… I find their bench press #’s pretty disappointing. Lillard by comparison, who only weighs approx 185 pounds, showed out with a 13 rep session on the 185 pound bench… which is stellar for a ball player.

    Lillards results were “above average” for his position, but Robinson “showed off” his strength among other things and Leonard’s bench of “19 times is a testament to his strength”. I know ball players aren’t body builders but Lillards bench results sound very good, not “above average” as this review suggests.

    They should switch the bench press weight to the bodyweight of the player performing the reps. It would be a much better indicator of who’s making the most of what they have.

    • Arm Length

       Lilliard’s numbers are very impressive, however one thing to keep in mind, which is often brought up at the NFL combine, is that the arm lengths of the bigger guys also puts them at a disadvantage as they have to lift the weight a longer distance up and down. 

      Not taking away anything from Lilliard’s fantastic number of reps, nor you point about how bodyweight should be taken into account, but it is something to remember and keep in mind.

  3. @HotSnot; having longer arms

     @HotSnot; having longer arms makes bench-press more difficult, Lillard’s compact frame would have counteracted some of the advantage their extra weight gives them.

  4. @omphalos and
    @omphalos and @bapper

    Lillards arm length was measured at 6ft8 on his 6ft2 frame. That six inch wingspan/height difference is just as hard to overcome on someone 6ft2 as it is on someone 7ft2.

    I feel Lillard had the most impressive bench at the combine.

  5. Tony Wroten had fastest sprint time

    • Wroten measured at 6’4 3/4 with no shoes on and 6’6 with shoes. That is taller than many expected him to be because basketball players are usually referenced with shoes on. He weighed 203, with a 6’9″ wingspan, and 8’5″ reach.
    • Ross measured at 6’6″ without shoes and 6’7″ with shoes on. This is about an inch higher than expected though as the season went on last year, people were noticing that he was just barely shorter than Darnell Gant. He weighed 196.6, with a 6’7 1/2″ wingspan, and a 8’5″ reach.
    • Wroten also was the fastest in the sprint. This is great for his stock as he not only was the fastest at his position but the fastest at the combine.

    http://thehuskyhaul.com/2012/06/09/huskies-in-the-2012-nba-draft-combine/

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