The athletic testing portion of the 2026 NBA Draft Combine gives teams another valuable layer of context, confirming what showed up on film for some prospects while raising questions for others. Vertical explosion, sprint times, shuttle runs, and agility drills helped separate players who merely looked athletic from those who truly tested at an elite NBA level.
Several prospects significantly boosted their stock through standout performances, while others reinforced concerns about burst, mobility, and overall functional athleticism. While athletic testing alone will never determine draft position, it can validate film, shift narratives, and help teams feel more comfortable projecting a player’s long-term upside. Here are the biggest athletic testing winners and losers from the combine.
Winners (Athleticism testing)
Cameron Carr, Baylor, Jr.
Carr (pictured) confirmed what we have been saying all season, going back to his freshman year, he is one of the premier athletes in college. The explosive wing posted a 42.5-inch max vertical, one of the best marks at the combine, while pairing it with an impressive 8’8” standing reach. Perhaps even more eye-opening was his 38-inch standing vertical, an elite no-step mark that speaks to genuine lower-body explosion rather than momentum-based leaping.
The testing validated the tape. Carr consistently flashes elite bounce, quick twitch athleticism, and above-the-rim finishing ability in live action. He has a sort of mini-Matrix (Shawn Marion) type of player profile, combining length, fluidity, explosiveness, and transition ability. As he continues to add strength and physicality, his ability to fully weaponize those tools should only improve.
AJ Dybantsa, BYU, Fr.
We already knew Dybantsa was an elite athlete, but posting one of the highest verticals at the combine still turned heads. His 42-inch max vertical reinforced his status as one of the most explosive high-end prospects in basketball, made all the more impressive when paired with his outstanding 8′10″ standing reach. Producing that level of explosion with his size and length only further highlights the uniqueness of his physical profile.
What stood out most was the comparison point. Dybantsa tested as noticeably more explosive than Darryn Peterson, Kansas, Fr., a player widely viewed as an elite athlete himself. That level of separation was somewhat surprising and further supports the argument that Dybantsa possesses one of the most unique physical profiles in recent draft classes. The testing only strengthened the case for his superstar upside.
Tobi Lawal, Virginia Tech, Sr.
Lawal may have been the biggest athletic testing winner of anyone in Chicago. His absurd 45.5-inch max vertical finished well above the field, a truly elite mark by NBA standards.
Even more impressive may have been his 40-inch standing vertical, a number that borders on outrageous for a frontcourt player. Straight-line explosiveness and vertical pop have never been questions for Lawal, but these numbers reinforced just how rare his athletic profile really is. While skill development remains key to his long-term outlook, his physical tools are clearly NBA caliber.
Amari Allen, Alabama, Fr.
Allen quietly put together one of the stronger testing performances at the combine, highlighted by a 42.5-inch max vertical that ranked among the best overall marks.
There may be some debate regarding the accuracy of his standing reach measurement, as it appeared potentially short by a few inches relative to expectations. Since max vertical is calculated in part off standing reach, an underreported reach number could slightly inflate the final vertical result by making the jump appear greater than it actually is. Even accounting for that possibility, however, Allen’s explosion remains extremely impressive. He has always flashed intriguing athletic upside, and the testing reinforced his reputation as a highly dynamic wing prospect with long-term potential.
Billy Richmond III, Arkansas, So.
Richmond confirmed everything the tape suggested about his athleticism. His 41-inch max vertical showcased elite leaping ability, but his speed testing may have been even more impressive.
He posted a blazing 3.06 three-quarter court sprint, outperforming many point guards, while also recording a 2.82 shuttle run and 10.23 lane agility time. For perspective, every one of Richmond’s speed and leaping marks tested better than Darryn Peterson, Kansas, Fr., who is a freak athlete in his own right. Richmond’s blend of speed, burst, and open-floor athleticism stood out among wings and should only help his stock.
Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville, Fr.
Brown’s 39.5-inch max vertical was one of the better marks among lead guards and served as another sign that he is fully healthy again.
After previously discussing lingering back concerns, Brown appears back to full strength physically. The testing aligned with what he has stated publicly, suggesting he is operating at full capacity again with no lingering limitations. For a player whose game relies heavily on quickness, pace, and shot creation, the numbers were encouraging.
Caleb Wilson, North Carolina, Fr.
Wilson quietly turned in one of the more impressive athletic testing performances among frontcourt prospects in Chicago, helping reinforce the upside that already had him viewed as a top 4 talent.
A fluid, mobile forward with outstanding defensive versatility, Wilson posted a strong 34.5-inch standing vertical and 39.5-inch max vertical, excellent marks for a player his size. His movement testing also stood out, recording an 11.17 lane agility time, 3.11 shuttle run, and 3.23 three-quarter sprint, numbers that reflect the mobility, coordination, and change-of-direction ability that show up consistently on tape. Combined with his length and defensive instincts, the athletic testing only strengthened the case for Wilson as one of the higher-upside frontcourt prospects in the 2026 class.
Trevon Brazile, Arkansas, Sr.
Brazile once again reinforced his reputation as one of the more freakish frontcourt athletes in college basketball.
His 36-inch standing vertical and 41.5-inch max vertical are extremely rare numbers for a player with his size and length. Few big men can combine elite vertical explosion with mobility the way Brazile does, and the testing only strengthened his athletic profile. While consistency has been an issue throughout his college career, the physical tools remain undeniable.
Chris Cenac, Houston, Fr.
For a true seven-footer, Cenac posted legitimately elite numbers.
A 33-inch standing vertical paired with a 37-inch max vertical is exceptional for a player his size. Those marks support the flashes of mobility, rim running, and vertical finishing he has shown and further reinforce his upside as a modern athletic big. The testing suggested a higher-end athlete than many expected entering the week.
Cameron Boozer, Duke, Fr.
We previously featured Boozer among the losers in the measurements portion of the combine analysis, due to his 6’8.25″ barefoot measurement, and received some pushback, fairly so, due to his solid standing reach.
While his 28.5-inch standing vertical did reinforce concerns about his need for momentum to play athletically, his overall athletic testing was more encouraging than expected. His 35-inch max vertical was solid, and perhaps more notably, his lane agility time came in faster than Caleb Wilson, North Carolina, Fr., a player generally viewed as the quicker athlete. Boozer may not be an explosive leaper off two feet without momentum, but the testing suggested he is more functionally athletic than some narratives imply.
Morez Johnson, Michigan, So.
Johnson significantly helped his draft stock in Chicago.
A player we were high on entering the season, Johnson backed up the optimism with one of the more impressive all-around measurement profiles at the combine. First, he measured extremely well at effectively 6’10” in shoes with a 7’3.5” wingspan and a 9’1” standing reach, giving him ideal center dimensions. He then followed it up with an elite 39-inch max vertical, one of the best marks among frontcourt players. Lottery consideration no longer feels out of the question, and long term, Johnson may ultimately emerge as the best Michigan prospect from this draft class.
Kingston Flemings, Houston, Fr.
While Flemings struggled in the measurement portion of the combine, he emphatically reminded evaluators that he is an elite athlete at the lead guard position.
His 40.5-inch max vertical ranked among the better marks for guards and reinforced the explosive downhill burst and pop he consistently shows on film. Flemings has long relied on pressure at the rim and physicality to create offense, and the testing confirmed that his athletic profile remains a major strength. While his lack of length and average size create some concerns for teams projecting him at the next level, his elite explosiveness helps offset those drawbacks. He plays with exceptional pop, gets off the floor quickly, and has the type of burst and power that can allow him to overcome less-than-ideal measurements and still impact the game as an attacking lead guard.
Nate Ament, Tennessee, Fr.
Ament continued to build momentum in Chicago and did little to hurt his standing as a likely top-10 pick.
Already viewed as one of the more intriguing long-term bets in the class due to his combination of size, skill, and perimeter fluidity, Ament tested well athletically and helped reinforce the upside. His movement testing stood out for a player his size, posting an impressive 11.27 lane agility time, 2.85 shuttle run, and 3.26 three-quarter sprint, numbers that highlight his mobility and coordination. He also recorded a strong 31-inch standing vertical and 37-inch max vertical, helping confirm the athleticism and fluidity seen on tape. The combination of movement skills, mobility, and athletic tools only added to his momentum as a player firmly in the top 7–10 range of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Biggest Surprises
Bennett Stirtz, Iowa, Sr.
Stirtz continued to quietly help himself in Chicago and belongs firmly in the winner category after another encouraging set of athletic numbers.
Already mentioned for turning in solid measurements, Stirtz followed that up with a surprisingly strong 37.5-inch max vertical, a number that stood out considering he is not typically viewed as a high-level athlete. His 30.5-inch no step vertical also reinforced solid functional explosiveness. Combined with his 6′ 6.00” wingspan and strong feel for the game, the testing suggests a better athletic profile than many expected. If Stirtz can continue adding strength to his frame, he may be able to better maximize those tools and further elevate his effectiveness as a lead guard at the next level.
Meleek Thomas, Arkansas, Fr.
Thomas quietly helped himself in Chicago with a solid overall athletic profile, highlighted by a better-than-expected vertical performance.
His measurements checked in well for a scoring guard, as he measured 6′ 3.00” barefoot, 189.6 lbs, with a solid 6′ 6.75” wingspan and 8′ 4.00” standing reach, giving him respectable positional size and length. The bigger surprise, however, may have been his athletic testing. Thomas posted a strong 31.5-inch no step vertical and an impressive 38.0-inch max vertical, a mark that stood out for a player more commonly known for his shot-making and scoring instincts than elite explosiveness. The results reinforced that there may be more athletic upside in his profile than initially assumed.
Christian Anderson, Texas Tech, Fr.
Anderson’s 40.5-inch max vertical was one of the more surprising results from the combine.
He flashes athleticism in games but does not consistently play above the rim, making the testing number somewhat unexpected. It raises the possibility that added strength and continued development could unlock even more athletic upside than previously expected. For a smaller guard, showing this type of explosion certainly helps.
Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State, So.
Fears posting a 39-inch max vertical was another one of the more surprising outcomes of the combine.
The number almost feels like a typo considering how his game is typically perceived. While he has always been quick and shifty, that level of vertical explosion suggests there may be more untapped athleticism than generally assumed. If he becomes more aggressive offensively, there may be more physical upside to unlock than expected.
Ryan Conwell, Louisville, Sr.
Conwell’s 39.5-inch max vertical quietly became one of the bigger surprises of the week and was among the more eye-opening marks posted by perimeter players at the combine.
He is not commonly viewed as a high-level athlete, making the number particularly noteworthy. Conwell has generally been seen as more of a skill and shooting-based prospect, relying on feel and shot-making rather than burst or vertical pop. However, the testing suggested better explosiveness than expected and should help his draft profile, giving evaluators more confidence in his functional athleticism.
Kylan Boswell, Illinois, Sr.
Boswell was one of the surprises of the athletic testing portion of the combine, posting numbers that measured considerably better than he often looked on film.
His 33-inch standing vertical and 38-inch max vertical were both strong marks for a lead guard, while his 10.82 lane agility time and 3.22 three-quarter court sprint reinforced solid overall movement skills. Boswell has often been viewed more as a steady, physical guard than an explosive athlete, making the results somewhat eye-opening. Despite possessing solid physical tools, he often struggled to fully utilize those gifts and did not consistently live up to expectations during his time at Arizona. The testing suggested better burst and athletic ability than commonly perceived, which should help his cause as he looks to hear his name called on draft night.
Losers (Athleticism testing)
Aday Mara, Michigan, Jr.
Mara struggled more than perhaps any player in the athletic testing portion of the combine.
He posted just a 24-inch standing vertical and 28-inch max vertical, both among the lowest marks recorded. While Mara has shown he can rim protect and finish around the basket without needing elite lift, the numbers still raise legitimate concerns for a player receiving lottery-to-mid first-round consideration.
Adding to the concerns, Mara also recorded the slowest three-quarter court sprint at 3.61 seconds. The testing reinforced long-standing questions surrounding his mobility, especially when projecting him into modern NBA defensive schemes where bigs are increasingly required to cover space.
Henri Veesaar, North Carolina, Jr.
Veesaar impressed from a size standpoint, particularly with a 9’3” standing reach, one of the best marks among bigs.
However, the athletic testing itself was less encouraging. His 28-inch standing vertical and 32.5-inch max vertical both landed below average for an NBA frontcourt prospect, raising some concerns about overall explosiveness. Veesaar’s feel and skill level remain appealing, but the testing did little to ease concerns about his physical upside.
Malachi Moreno, Kentucky, Fr.
Moreno entered the combine viewed as a fairly solid athlete for a seven-footer, making his results somewhat surprising.
A longer-term developmental prospect and second-rounder at best entering the process due in part to questions surrounding his shooting and offensive upside, Moreno did little to significantly boost his stock through the athletic testing. He posted a 25.5-inch standing vertical and 29-inch max vertical, both underwhelming marks for a young big man, while his 3.52 three-quarter court sprint ranked near the bottom among centers and was not much better than Aday Mara’s.
The combine testing painted a far less explosive picture than many expected heading into the week. Moreno still offers intriguing size, feel, and long-term upside, but the athletic testing likely raised more questions than answers regarding his overall ceiling.
Emanuel Sharp, Houston, Sr.
Sharp falls into the loser category from a draft perspective when combining his age, physical profile, and athletic testing.
Already an older prospect, Sharp’s measurements did little to ease concerns about his NBA upside. He measured 6′ 2.75” barefoot, 208.4 lbs, with just a 6′ 3.00” wingspan and 8′ 2.50” standing reach, modest numbers for a shooting guard at the next level. The athletic testing also proved underwhelming, as his 27.5-inch no step vertical and 33.0-inch max vertical reflected limited burst and below-average explosiveness. While Sharp remains a proven college scorer and tough shot-maker, the combination of age, average size, lack of length, and limited pop could make it difficult for him to significantly improve his draft positioning. At the same time, he still brings maturity, experience, and a reputation for clutch shot-making, traits that could help him carve out a role and keep him on the radar as a potential second-round or two-way target.
