Winners and Losers of the Combine (measurements)

 Ullis weighed just 149 lbs though…that’s awfully small, he sure isn’t built like Isaiah Thomas.

Kind of how I feel about Brice Johnson. After a great college year he measured a bit taller than I expected him to (6-9 barefoot instead of 6-9 in shoes) but he weighed about 17-22 lbs less than what he was listed at for UNC. He’s about 7 lbs lighter than Skal and Thon.  

 Ullis weighed just 149 lbs though…that’s awfully small, he sure isn’t built like Isaiah Thomas.

Kind of how I feel about Brice Johnson. After a great college year he measured a bit taller than I expected him to (6-9 barefoot instead of 6-9 in shoes) but he weighed about 17-22 lbs less than what he was listed at for UNC. He’s about 7 lbs lighter than Skal and Thon.  

 My men Hayes with a 7’3 wingspan and he’s a 245 pounder tho, legit tweener.

 My men Hayes with a 7’3 wingspan and he’s a 245 pounder tho, legit tweener.

 .zhou qi is the clear winner and i think he has ensured himself in the 1st round.

.marquese chriss with his 6’10 and 7ft wingspan and jacob poetl at 7’1 and 7’3 wingspan have locked themselves as top 10.

.henry ellenson looks a lot in all aspects as nicola jokic so he should be lottery..

.thon maker at almost 7ft without shoes, 7’3 wingspan and 9’2.5 reach should ensure him a top 20..at least..

.tyler ulis has bought a ticket to 1st round.

.malachi,valentine,baldwin,finney-smith,lawson and bolomboy good wingspan measurements and big hands.. should help themselves..diallo too but only 6’7.5 w/o shoes so..who knows..

.malik beasly only 6’3.5 w/o shoes..i think he falls..

.diamond stone good measurements but really small hands..

 .zhou qi is the clear winner and i think he has ensured himself in the 1st round.

.marquese chriss with his 6’10 and 7ft wingspan and jacob poetl at 7’1 and 7’3 wingspan have locked themselves as top 10.

.henry ellenson looks a lot in all aspects as nicola jokic so he should be lottery..

.thon maker at almost 7ft without shoes, 7’3 wingspan and 9’2.5 reach should ensure him a top 20..at least..

.tyler ulis has bought a ticket to 1st round.

.malachi,valentine,baldwin,finney-smith,lawson and bolomboy good wingspan measurements and big hands.. should help themselves..diallo too but only 6’7.5 w/o shoes so..who knows..

.malik beasly only 6’3.5 w/o shoes..i think he falls..

.diamond stone good measurements but really small hands..

 I say it every year, but I wish they wouldn’t include body fat %…solely for my benefit because its depressing. 

Seriously do these guys have resting heart rates of like 160 bpm? Or do they just not eat pasta? It’s unbelieveable that the fat guys are at like 12 percent body fat. 

 I say it every year, but I wish they wouldn’t include body fat %…solely for my benefit because its depressing. 

Seriously do these guys have resting heart rates of like 160 bpm? Or do they just not eat pasta? It’s unbelieveable that the fat guys are at like 12 percent body fat. 

 I agree that Zhou Qi looks a good bet to go first round with that wingspan.

Poeltl has but up good numbers too and has legit NBA size already.

Skal has measured up very well too so has done himself no harm.

Chriss has added a lot of bulk in the last year or so and as one of the younger guys in the draft will gain a lot of attention as he could turn into a beast.

 I agree that Zhou Qi looks a good bet to go first round with that wingspan.

Poeltl has but up good numbers too and has legit NBA size already.

Skal has measured up very well too so has done himself no harm.

Chriss has added a lot of bulk in the last year or so and as one of the younger guys in the draft will gain a lot of attention as he could turn into a beast.

Thon Maker 1inch talled , longer wingspan and somehow 5inches highers standing reach is a win for him.

Can’t stand how Skal has only 8’9.5 reach.. might have something to do with his pure rebounding?

Thon Maker 1inch talled , longer wingspan and somehow 5inches highers standing reach is a win for him.

Can’t stand how Skal has only 8’9.5 reach.. might have something to do with his pure rebounding?

 Caris Levert measuring at 6’7 in shoes is taller than I expected. 

Buddy being 6’3.75 barefoot and 6’5 in shoes bodes well. I thought he might get a Gary Harris 6’2.5 barefoot so happy to see that. 

Malcom Brogdon measuring at only 6’3.75 barefoot would have scared me away if it weren’t for his 6’10.5 wingspan. 

Caleb Swanigan 6’7.5 barefoot doesn’t bother me due to 7’3.5 wing span. His foot speed is now my biggest question with him. (Really wish he had stayed with MSU commitment.) 

 Caris Levert measuring at 6’7 in shoes is taller than I expected. 

Buddy being 6’3.75 barefoot and 6’5 in shoes bodes well. I thought he might get a Gary Harris 6’2.5 barefoot so happy to see that. 

Malcom Brogdon measuring at only 6’3.75 barefoot would have scared me away if it weren’t for his 6’10.5 wingspan. 

Caleb Swanigan 6’7.5 barefoot doesn’t bother me due to 7’3.5 wing span. His foot speed is now my biggest question with him. (Really wish he had stayed with MSU commitment.) 

 Diallo 7"4" wingspan is legit(esp considering the somewhat disapointing 6’7.5" barefoot measurement)

Lawson legit 6’7", 7’2"ws and monster mitts

Early 1st & lottery prospects:Dunn,Poetl,Davis,Brown,Chriss and Richardson all were confirmed legit for their positions as well as Whitehead,Stone and McCaw likely to get drafted mid-late 1st.

2nd round prospects like Trimble hurt himself the most with a 6’2" ws ; unlikely to be able to defend at the next level.Where as Siakam,Bolomboy and Payton all measured solid.

the biggest winners here by confirming the expectations were Ellenson,Onuaku,Qi,Maker,Baldwin ,Brogdan and English.

Looking forward to the results from athletic testing

 Diallo 7"4" wingspan is legit(esp considering the somewhat disapointing 6’7.5" barefoot measurement)

Lawson legit 6’7", 7’2"ws and monster mitts

Early 1st & lottery prospects:Dunn,Poetl,Davis,Brown,Chriss and Richardson all were confirmed legit for their positions as well as Whitehead,Stone and McCaw likely to get drafted mid-late 1st.

2nd round prospects like Trimble hurt himself the most with a 6’2" ws ; unlikely to be able to defend at the next level.Where as Siakam,Bolomboy and Payton all measured solid.

the biggest winners here by confirming the expectations were Ellenson,Onuaku,Qi,Maker,Baldwin ,Brogdan and English.

Looking forward to the results from athletic testing

Ulis basically measured what he is. He’ll go in the second round. I think Bentil is fine because he has a nice midrange game and even a 3-point game. Especially if he gets better at that stuff, there is no reason he can’t be the same as some of these stretch four.

Ulis basically measured what he is. He’ll go in the second round. I think Bentil is fine because he has a nice midrange game and even a 3-point game. Especially if he gets better at that stuff, there is no reason he can’t be the same as some of these stretch four.

I have never understood why everyone gets measured in sneakers and bare feet. WTF. your height is your height. players were never measured with sneakers in my day.

I have never understood why everyone gets measured in sneakers and bare feet. WTF. your height is your height. players were never measured with sneakers in my day.

Dunno why people arent getting more hypped about Maker.

Third tallest guy.  Huge standing reach to go along with way above average athleticism.

People are saying its a risk….but tell me a draft pick that isnt.

Id say getting a team full of high floor/ low ceiling guys is a bigger risk.

Dunno why people arent getting more hypped about Maker.

Third tallest guy.  Huge standing reach to go along with way above average athleticism.

People are saying its a risk….but tell me a draft pick that isnt.

Id say getting a team full of high floor/ low ceiling guys is a bigger risk.

Skal Labissiere’s absolutely stands out. You have to use some logic to see that a guy who is damn near 7-feet tall is not going to have a 8’9.5 standing reach. His being measured 9’0.5 at Hoop Summit and 9’0 at the UK combine kind of tell me his is at the very least a couple inches off. Thon was only a half inch off of his Hoop Summit one, and obviously has a longer reach than Skal, which is not surprising given he is taller and longer than he is. However, 2-3 inches, or 5 inches? I just think it is obviously a botch.

Which is not to say he is alone, at all. Jakob Poeltl, I mean, come on!! No way he has an 8’9.5 standing reach either. It is clearly a ploy to give him a higher vert number. What happens is, they measure ones standing reach and than just subtract that from whatever height you touch on the vertec (that contraption you see them jumping and hitting). In the end, you do not get a false number as far as the height you can reach (though it is indeed, just one day and a few jumps, in an atmosphere that does not necessarily mimic the activity one does during a basketball game). However, if you say "damn, that guy jumped way higher than I thought", make sure that standing reach number actually makes sense for their body.

I have not kept a running tally of past years, but here is a list of guys who I would add at least a couple of inches to their standing reach and hence subtract a couple from their vert:

• Ron Baker
• Joel Bolomboy
• Malcolm Brogdon
• Jaylen Brown (who had a documented 8’8.5 at multiple USA tryouts)
• Perry Ellis
• AJ English
• Kahlil Felder
• Dorian Finney-Smith (this one is GLARING. Like, 4-5 inches. 8’3.5!? No way. Which would still give him good vert numbers. Just not INSANE vert numbers.)
• Nigel Hayes
• Demetrius Jackson
• Skal Labissiere
• Jake Layman
• Patrick McCaw
• Sheldon McClellan
• Malik Newman
• Jakob Poeltl
• Taurean Prince
• Malachi Richardson (only an inch and a half off of 2014 USA measurements, so not that bad)
• Wayne Selden
• Melo Trimble
• Tyler Ulis
• Kyle Wiltjer
• Stephen Zimmerman (9’0.5 in 2014 at USA Basketball Junior Mini Camp. 8’8.5 now. Right.)

I think I am being a bit generous with this list, but these are the ones that stand out as having short changed their standing reach a tad. Some absolutely have data to support it, others just obviously make little to no sense. Now, I am 5’8 without shoes. My wingspan is probably less than 5’10. I can touch the rim if it is at 7’6 flat footed. How in the world are the two mighty mites, who have much longer wingspans than myself and are taller, have 7’4.5 standing reaches? I know Ulis measured at 7’4 standing reach at the Kentucky comnbine, but they are notorious for botching standing reach to enhance their guys vert numbers, so hard to believe that one. Plus it is pretty hilarious if you check that their weights are always what they have listed in their profile. Especially given what their dudes just measured at the combine.

By the way, despite Zhou Qi still having an insane standing reach, how do you gain an inch and a quarter of wingspan and lose two in standing reach? Again, probably to add a couple inches to your vertical. Still, Nate Robinson, measured shorter than Kay Felder and Tyler Ulis, with a slightly shorter 6’1 wingspan, and was at 7’7.5 for his standing reach. This people, makes sense. Those two other dudes being at 7’4.5, does not really add up. And even if he was at Nate’s standing reach, Kay Felder still has a near Nate Robinson vertical leap. Just not a "better than Nate Robinson" vertical leap.

So, before we go off on how poor a guys standing reach is or on the contrary, the otherworldly hops they possess, I would look to make sure the numbers add up. Odds are, if it is too good to be true, it might not be true. So, Dorian Finney-Smith’s no-step vert, likely 33.5 inches, maybe 34.5. Not 38.5. And subtract at least a couple inches off the runners-up, Joel Bolomboy and Demetrius Jackson at 37.5. They are still great athletes, if Bolomboy has a 35.5 inch no-step vert that is excellent. Just not necessarily as absurb as the 37.5 he was credited as having. Jackson I am guessing has to be at least 8’0 standing reach (you know, the one he measured at the Hoop Summit). Oh, and I thought about putting Marquese Chriss on the list, but I think he might be only an inch less than listed. He remains a freakish athlete, regardless.

Just wanted to give a "buyer beware" breakdown before we get all of the athletic testing. Because I am guessing we are going to be seeing some crazy vert numbers that are not necessarily as impressive as one might believe. Impressive, just not insane, Pat Connaughton having the highest vertical in NBA Draft combine history, numbers. Connaughton lost 3.5 inches of reach from Portsmouth to the combine. 40.5 inches max vert is still awesome! Just not 44 inches awesome. So, moral, if someones standing reach looks like it does not make sense, it might not be their actual standing reach.

Skal Labissiere’s absolutely stands out. You have to use some logic to see that a guy who is damn near 7-feet tall is not going to have a 8’9.5 standing reach. His being measured 9’0.5 at Hoop Summit and 9’0 at the UK combine kind of tell me his is at the very least a couple inches off. Thon was only a half inch off of his Hoop Summit one, and obviously has a longer reach than Skal, which is not surprising given he is taller and longer than he is. However, 2-3 inches, or 5 inches? I just think it is obviously a botch.

Which is not to say he is alone, at all. Jakob Poeltl, I mean, come on!! No way he has an 8’9.5 standing reach either. It is clearly a ploy to give him a higher vert number. What happens is, they measure ones standing reach and than just subtract that from whatever height you touch on the vertec (that contraption you see them jumping and hitting). In the end, you do not get a false number as far as the height you can reach (though it is indeed, just one day and a few jumps, in an atmosphere that does not necessarily mimic the activity one does during a basketball game). However, if you say "damn, that guy jumped way higher than I thought", make sure that standing reach number actually makes sense for their body.

I have not kept a running tally of past years, but here is a list of guys who I would add at least a couple of inches to their standing reach and hence subtract a couple from their vert:

• Ron Baker
• Joel Bolomboy
• Malcolm Brogdon
• Jaylen Brown (who had a documented 8’8.5 at multiple USA tryouts)
• Perry Ellis
• AJ English
• Kahlil Felder
• Dorian Finney-Smith (this one is GLARING. Like, 4-5 inches. 8’3.5!? No way. Which would still give him good vert numbers. Just not INSANE vert numbers.)
• Nigel Hayes
• Demetrius Jackson
• Skal Labissiere
• Jake Layman
• Patrick McCaw
• Sheldon McClellan
• Malik Newman
• Jakob Poeltl
• Taurean Prince
• Malachi Richardson (only an inch and a half off of 2014 USA measurements, so not that bad)
• Wayne Selden
• Melo Trimble
• Tyler Ulis
• Kyle Wiltjer
• Stephen Zimmerman (9’0.5 in 2014 at USA Basketball Junior Mini Camp. 8’8.5 now. Right.)

I think I am being a bit generous with this list, but these are the ones that stand out as having short changed their standing reach a tad. Some absolutely have data to support it, others just obviously make little to no sense. Now, I am 5’8 without shoes. My wingspan is probably less than 5’10. I can touch the rim if it is at 7’6 flat footed. How in the world are the two mighty mites, who have much longer wingspans than myself and are taller, have 7’4.5 standing reaches? I know Ulis measured at 7’4 standing reach at the Kentucky comnbine, but they are notorious for botching standing reach to enhance their guys vert numbers, so hard to believe that one. Plus it is pretty hilarious if you check that their weights are always what they have listed in their profile. Especially given what their dudes just measured at the combine.

By the way, despite Zhou Qi still having an insane standing reach, how do you gain an inch and a quarter of wingspan and lose two in standing reach? Again, probably to add a couple inches to your vertical. Still, Nate Robinson, measured shorter than Kay Felder and Tyler Ulis, with a slightly shorter 6’1 wingspan, and was at 7’7.5 for his standing reach. This people, makes sense. Those two other dudes being at 7’4.5, does not really add up. And even if he was at Nate’s standing reach, Kay Felder still has a near Nate Robinson vertical leap. Just not a "better than Nate Robinson" vertical leap.

So, before we go off on how poor a guys standing reach is or on the contrary, the otherworldly hops they possess, I would look to make sure the numbers add up. Odds are, if it is too good to be true, it might not be true. So, Dorian Finney-Smith’s no-step vert, likely 33.5 inches, maybe 34.5. Not 38.5. And subtract at least a couple inches off the runners-up, Joel Bolomboy and Demetrius Jackson at 37.5. They are still great athletes, if Bolomboy has a 35.5 inch no-step vert that is excellent. Just not necessarily as absurb as the 37.5 he was credited as having. Jackson I am guessing has to be at least 8’0 standing reach (you know, the one he measured at the Hoop Summit). Oh, and I thought about putting Marquese Chriss on the list, but I think he might be only an inch less than listed. He remains a freakish athlete, regardless.

Just wanted to give a "buyer beware" breakdown before we get all of the athletic testing. Because I am guessing we are going to be seeing some crazy vert numbers that are not necessarily as impressive as one might believe. Impressive, just not insane, Pat Connaughton having the highest vertical in NBA Draft combine history, numbers. Connaughton lost 3.5 inches of reach from Portsmouth to the combine. 40.5 inches max vert is still awesome! Just not 44 inches awesome. So, moral, if someones standing reach looks like it does not make sense, it might not be their actual standing reach.

Buddy Hield is one of the winners for me . he is listed 6’4 but that is almost his barefoot measurement .just quarter of an inch shorter than Tyreke Evans barefoot measurement (and he is listed 6’6 in the NBA) and James Harden (probably the top SG in the NBA right now) so he basically remove any doubts at his size for a SG IMHO

Buddy Hield is one of the winners for me . he is listed 6’4 but that is almost his barefoot measurement .just quarter of an inch shorter than Tyreke Evans barefoot measurement (and he is listed 6’6 in the NBA) and James Harden (probably the top SG in the NBA right now) so he basically remove any doubts at his size for a SG IMHO

I think Henry Ellenson, when factoring in that he is skillful and moves reasonably well for his size (he did take on the task of guarding Ben Simmons), came out well. At 19, I think 242 lbs is good base to start so that there are not long-term worries about whether he will get pushed around inside. At 6′ 11" and a 7′ 2" wingspan, you can also envision him eventually playing center. Also, while he was not the most efficient outside shooter this past year, it is a good looking shot so that will be a huge asset if he can be big enough to hold his own inside while also keeping a defense honest when he steps out on the perimeter.

A decent number of the name "bigs" just are not that big. Diallo is the size of a small forward with the skillset of a backup center. Actually, he is smaller than every starting small forward left in the playoffs (Carroll, Deng, Barnes, and Durant). If Skal’s big long-term asset is that he is a big man that can shoot, then he has to be able to make defenses put a big man on him. Even if you can parry the concern over how he played last year and readiness to deal with being a first round pick on a rebuilding team, 7’0" and 216 is just not ideal. I’m surprised by how small Perry Ellis check out. 

I think Henry Ellenson, when factoring in that he is skillful and moves reasonably well for his size (he did take on the task of guarding Ben Simmons), came out well. At 19, I think 242 lbs is good base to start so that there are not long-term worries about whether he will get pushed around inside. At 6′ 11" and a 7′ 2" wingspan, you can also envision him eventually playing center. Also, while he was not the most efficient outside shooter this past year, it is a good looking shot so that will be a huge asset if he can be big enough to hold his own inside while also keeping a defense honest when he steps out on the perimeter.

A decent number of the name "bigs" just are not that big. Diallo is the size of a small forward with the skillset of a backup center. Actually, he is smaller than every starting small forward left in the playoffs (Carroll, Deng, Barnes, and Durant). If Skal’s big long-term asset is that he is a big man that can shoot, then he has to be able to make defenses put a big man on him. Even if you can parry the concern over how he played last year and readiness to deal with being a first round pick on a rebuilding team, 7’0" and 216 is just not ideal. I’m surprised by how small Perry Ellis check out. 

 I see some articles have Ulis as a loser. I don’t understand how? His weight? His size? What about heart and the fact he went toe to toe with some of the best PG’s. I think he recorded either the 3rd or 4th best vertical at 38 inch.

 I see some articles have Ulis as a loser. I don’t understand how? His weight? His size? What about heart and the fact he went toe to toe with some of the best PG’s. I think he recorded either the 3rd or 4th best vertical at 38 inch.

I guess for me a HUGE College Basketball fan and just a fan of sports period, I would like to know how come when a kid proves he can do all the things that we put into question we as people still have more doubts?

I guess for me a HUGE College Basketball fan and just a fan of sports period, I would like to know how come when a kid proves he can do all the things that we put into question we as people still have more doubts?