The NBA Draft Combine is one of the most anticipated events for college prospects. Over several days, young hopefuls undergo skill tests and body measurements, aiming to catch the attention of scouts and team executives.
Unlike the NFL Scouting Combine, the NBA Combine is not open to the press. Tryouts are conducted privately, and results are released days later. While the event may not drastically boost or derail a prospect’s draft stock, it provides a critical opportunity to generate buzz and get noticed by teams.
Each year, the NBA invites 75 college prospects and a select group of players from the G League Elite Camp to participate. The league recently announced the list of invited players, and the 2025 Draft Combine will take place from May 11-18 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.
NBA Scouting Combine schedule
On the first two days, players are grouped by position-point guards, shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards, and centers-to participate in position-specific drills and general tests such as three-man weaves, two-on-one fast breaks, and stop-and-pop shooting drills at the cone.
Prospects also take part in three-on-three half-court games, though no full five-on-five scrimmages occur. Notably, many top prospects choose not to participate in these drills to avoid any risk of performing poorly in front of team executives and recruiters.
Athletic and anthropometric testing
However, certain tests are mandatory. In the following days, prospects undergo anthropometric measurements and athletic testing-evaluations that often draw the most interest from teams.
The anthropometric measurements include:
- Height (without shoes)
- Height (with shoes)
- Weight
- Wingspan
- Standing reach
- Body fat percentage
- Hand size
The athletic tests include:
- Standing vertical jump
- Maximum vertical jump
- Bench press
- Lane agility drill
- Three-quarter court sprint
While the NBA Draft Combine isn’t a definitive measure of a prospect’s potential, it serves as a valuable opportunity for players to make an impression ahead of the draft, scheduled for June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
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