NBA Draft Combine 2026 Overview
The NBA draft combine for 2026 is taking place in Chicago, where players have begun to showcase their skills. On Monday, all participants underwent anthropometric measurements, while around 25 to 30 players concluded their athletic testing and shooting drills. This set the stage for the remainder of the invitees, who were put through similar assessments the following day. Fans can catch highlights and analysis on the NBA draft combine show, airing on ESPN2 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
Standout Prospects
Prominent prospects have already made their final displays of the week. AJ Dybantsa, standing at an impressive 6 feet 8.5 inches without shoes, boasts a wingspan of 7 feet 0.5 inches and achieved a remarkable 42-inch vertical leap. Darryn Peterson, with measurements of 6 feet 4.5 inches and a 6 feet 9.75 inch wingspan, hit a max vertical of 37.5 inches. Cameron Boozer is also notable, measuring 6 feet 8.25 inches and having a 7 feet 1.5 inch wingspan, alongside a vertical leap of 35 inches. This trio, esteemed as top first-round picks, will not participate in the upcoming 5-on-5 scrimmages scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
Initial Observations
While the initial days of the combine may not drastically affect a player’s draft status, the scrimmages are anticipated to provide greater clarity on prospects’ standings. Nonetheless, the first day at Wintrust Arena yielded significant observations worth discussing.
Notable Performances
In terms of standouts, Alex Karaban from UConn is making headlines, especially as he is considered a borderline first-round pick, ranked at No. 32 in ESPN’s latest mock draft. Karaban excelled in shooting drills, recording 22 successful shots out of 30 off the dribble and performing well across various drills, reinforcing his status as a reliable 3-point shooter with a 37.4% accuracy over his college career. Impressively, he has also increased his standing vertical leap by 5.5 inches since last year’s combine.
Another noteworthy attribute is Cameron Carr from Baylor, who emerged as a breakout star this past season, averaging almost 19 points per game. His performance at the combine, which includes a remarkable vertical jump of 42.5 inches and impressive drafting numbers, is likely to elevate him significantly from his current projection at No. 18.
Morez Johnson Jr. from Michigan showed promising attributes as well, measuring 6 feet 9 inches barefoot, which surprised many in attendance, along with a 7 feet 3.5 inch wingspan. Despite being considered somewhat undersized for the center position, Johnson showcased potential with his drills, hinting at a development in his shooting skills.
Chris Cenac Jr., a center from Houston, also turned heads with his fluid movement and size at 6 feet 10.25 inches, complemented by a notable wingspan. Although his college statistics weren’t particularly eye-catching, his rebounding skills and physical play demonstrate his potential value.
Trade Speculations and Future Decisions
On the trade front, anticipation surrounds the possibility of the Utah Jazz, who have the second overall pick, potentially moving up for the top pick to select Dybantsa, given the connections between key figures in the Jazz organization and BYU. However, speculation remains just that, as the draft positions are still fresh and speculative trading in the top four slots is rare.
Lastly, Koa Peat from Arizona faces a challenging decision regarding his future, particularly after a disappointing season in which he saw his draft position slip from a projected top 10 selection to rank No. 24 in recent mock drafts. Despite his athletic tests being impressive, his shooting performance has raised eyebrows, as he struggled significantly in shooting drills, indicating potential adjustments may be needed in his shooting mechanics.
