Day 1 of the combine is in the books, and after some adjustments playing with a new group of players, a lot of them showed as well, or better than expected. Sunday will be two new groups and some of the most anticipated players this weekend. Jae Crowder and Marcus Denmon highlight the first group Sunday, while the second group brings us, the big man quartet of Kyle O’Quinn, Robert Sacre, Justin Hamilton and Eli Holman, as well a 4 guards who know how to score in Dee Bost, Maalik Waayns, Orlando Johnson and J’Covan Brown. Here is a quick look at the Sunday groups – what we know about them and briefly what they should hope to show the NBA personnel in attendance. Again, I will be there watching and will bring updates during the sessions – make sure to follow me on Twitter (@NBADraftBlog) for updates.
SESSION #3 – Sunday, 5/20, 9:30 am
Player | Position | Ht/Wt. | School | Thoughts/What they need to show |
Malik Alvin | G | 6’0/175 | Shaw | Great speed and handle, can get to the basket. Needs to show control, tough defense and consistent jumper |
Larry Anderson | F | 6’5/210 | Long Beach St | Runs floor well, plays bigger than size. Needs to defend the ball on perimeter and show that he can create scoring opportunities |
D’Aundray Brown | G/F | 6’4/195 | Cleveland St | Great on-ball defender, improved shooter. Needs to more range on shot and ability to get into lane |
Jae Crowder | F | 6’6/235 | Marquette | All-around ability on both ends. Needs to show ability to take players off the dribble to basket. |
Marcus Denmon | G | 6’3/185 | Missouri | Great shooter with range, speed on both ends. Needs to show ability to defend perimeter consistently |
Donte Poole | G | 6’3/190 | Murray State | High motor, improved shooter and defender. Needs to show ability to get past defender and consistent shot. |
Xavier Gibson | C | 6’11/250 | Florida St | Good size, defends post well. Needs to show offensive ability and rebounding on both ends. |
JaMychal Green | F | 6’8/237 | Alabama | Very good defender and shot-blocker, improved offensive skills. Needs to show consistent shot and ability to face up and score |
Mike Glover | F | 6’7/220 | Iona | Strong, uses body well, very good rebounder and can score and defend around basket. Needs to show ability to play on the perimeter on both ends. |
Garrett Stutz | C | 7’0/255 | Wichita St | Skilled big-man on both ends. Needs to show more toughness and better footwork |
Casper Ware | G | 5’10/175 | Long Beach St | Great speed, can get to basket and hit open shot. Needs to show ability to run ½ court offense, defend on perimeter and create own shot |
Group Thoughts: People lament the withdrawal of France’s Evan Fournier, but this is still and intriguing group. A large group of guards, most who need to show more than the ability to score. I would love to see a matchup of Brown guarding Denmon on the perimeter. Gibson will have chance to show if he has improved in a matchup with the skilled Stutz. My feeling is Jae Crowder outshines everyone in this group and solidifies his position in front of the NBA crowd.
SESSION #4 – Sunday, 5/20, 11:00 AM
Player | Position | Ht/Wt. | School | What they need to show teams |
Dee Bost | G | 6’2/176 | Mississippi St | Good shooter, understands position well. Needs to show consistency and ability to guard on-ball in space. |
J’Covan Brown | G | 6’1/197 | Texas | Can score in bunches, runs the floor well. Needs to show ability to handle point and defend on the perimeter |
Troy Gillenwater | G/F | 6’8/238 | NMSU/Apollon Limassol BC | Athletic, can score in a variety of ways. Needs to show better defensive skill and consistent play on both ends. |
Justin Hamilton | C | 7’0/260 | LSU | Great skills in the post on both ends, can step out and hit perimeter jumper. Needs to show better foot speed on both ends |
Eli Holman | C | 6’10/260 | Detroit | Improved around basket. Needs to show better footwork and ability to use body on both ends. |
Orlando Johnson | G | 6’5/205 | UCSB | Very good all-around player. Can score in a variety of ways. Needs to show ability to create shot and tougher perimeter defense. |
Tony Mitchell | F | 6’6/210 | Alabama | Great athlete, can finish at basket in variety of ways. Needs to show consistent jumper and ability to defend on wings |
Kyle O’Quinn | C | 6’10/240 | Norfolk St | Very good athlete for size. Hits the boards and can block shots. Needs to show post skills on both ends. |
Robert Sacre | C | 7’0/260 | Gonzaga | Solid defender, offensively-skilled. Needs to show improved athleticism |
Maalik Waayns | G | 6’2/200 | Villanova | Good speed, runs offense well, improved shooter. Needs to show consistency on both ends and improved first step to basket. |
Alex Young | G/F | 6’6/212 | IUPUI | Handles ball well for size, can get to the rim or knock down mid-range jumper. Needs to show consistent shot from long-range and better on-ball defense. |
Group thoughts: The best group of the 4. Big battle of the big men, with 4 potential second rounders given the chance to separate themselves in the minds of NBA executives. Alex Young and Orlando Johnson should show their ability to score in a variety of ways. Malik Waayns may surprise some people with the chance to work with some skilled big men. Bost and Brown need to both show that they can do more than score. Gillenwater should be interesting to see after playing pro ball overseas for a season. The mid-major guys should be able to have the top showing here.