The NBA draft combine takes place Sunday through May 18 at Wintrust Arena. The combine is vital for aspiring players to show their skills to scouts before the NBA draft on June 25-26.
The NBA draft lottery will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at McCormick Place, with ESPN televising. The Chicago Bulls’ pre-lottery position is No.12, which gives them a 1.7% chance for the No. 1 pick and an 8% shot at moving into the top four. The Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets have the best chance (14%) to be on the clock first.
The NBA invited 75 players to the combine, and the league’s collective bargaining agreement requires all of them to attend and participate, barring an excused absence by the league. Here are 11 names to know.
Top prospects
Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
All but certain to be the No. 1 pick, Flagg wowed observers as a freshman with his poise, confidence and ability to shoot from anywhere on the court. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 38% from 3-point range, and analysts see him as the total package and someone to build a franchise around.
Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
One of two projected top-five picks from the Scarlet Knights, Harper can pass as well as he scores and has all the tools to be a lead playmaker in the NBA. He averaged 19.4 points on 48.4% shooting as a freshman. Harper is the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, who played for the Bulls from 1994-99.
Ace Bailey, G/F, Rutgers
The 6-foot-10 Bailey impressed on both ends of the court as a freshman, averaging 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds and leading the team with 38 blocks and 30 steals. Having played with an elite guard in Harper, Bailey would be a solid addition to a guard-heavy roster such as the Hornets.
VJ Edgecombe Jr., G, Baylor
Drawing early comparisons to guards such as Russell Westbrook, Edgecombe sports an explosive style of play. He loves driving to the rim and is lethal in transition. Edgecombe averaged 15 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 steals and shot 34% on 3s as a freshman for the Bears.
Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
The 7-2 Maluach was a traditional center during his one season at Duke, but recent film shows him improving his 3-point shot while moving with increased speed. Adding those aspects to his game while keeping his aggressive rim presence could see him rise on some teams’ draft boards.
Derik Queen, C, Maryland
Queen outmuscled opponents throughout his freshman season, posting impressive averages of 19.5 points and 10.8 rebounds. A large question mark is his production behind the arc, where he shot just 20% (7 of 35). Despite those numbers, he makes it look easy at the rim and could provide a boost for teams with a need in the post.
Local prospects
Kasparas Jakučionis, G, Illinois
After leading the Illini with 15 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game as a freshman, the 6-6 Jakučionis is an intriguing player in this draft class. His off-ball skills helped open scoring opportunities for Illinois up until their second-round loss to Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament.
Will Riley, F, Illinois
Despite coming off the bench for most of his freshman season, Riley was third on the Illini in scoring (12.6 ppg) and was awarded as the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year. While shot-making is a concern, he has no problem with his off-ball movement and creating shooting opportunities.
Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma
The Joliet native is one of the most confident players in the draft class. An aggressive, score-first type of player, Fears averaged 17 points for the Sooners as a freshman. The court vision is there, but he should look to share the wealth more at the next level.
Danny Wolf, F/C, Michigan
A Glencoe native, Wolf built his skills at Lake Forest Academy before finishing his high school career at Northfield Mount Hermon in Massachusetts. After two seasons at Yale and a third at Michigan, Wolf could be one of the biggest sleepers in this draft. At 7 feet, he has both playmaking ability and great post-up skills. Put some high-volume shooters around him, and the team that takes a swing on Wolf could be transformed.
Kam Jones, G, Marquette
Jones didn’t disappoint as the Golden Eagles’ lead playmaker, averaging 19.2 points, 5.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds as a senior. The Marquette offense lived in Jones’ hands, and his experience fits the mold for a team looking for leadership.
