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NBA Draft Combine Doesn’t Matter To These Players

By Ryan Blackburn

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 21, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins forward Robert Carter (4) shoots the ball as Michigan Wolverines guard Zak Irvin (21) defends during the second half at Xfinity Center. The Terrapins won 86-82. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins forward Robert Carter (4) shoots the ball as Michigan Wolverines guard Zak Irvin (21) defends during the second half at Xfinity Center. The Terrapins won 86-82. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Robert Carter Jr. – Vertical Jumps And Lane Agility

Playing next to Diamond Stone and Melo Trimble, two guys who need the ball, could be seen as difficult, but for Robert Carter Jr. made it work very smoothly last season.

He will likely play power forward at the next level, but one of the skills necessary for being a big man is to protect the rim. The vertical jump tests usually provide a good indicator for the ability of a big man to apply “quick twitch,” a concept that appears in games regularly.

The quick twitch allows the player to get off the round quickly, something players can utilize to protect the rim.

Carter posted a 24.5-inch standing vertical jump, third-worst at the combine currently, and a 30.5-inch max vertical leap, currently fourth-worst. These numbers don’t speak to the athleticism needed for Carter to play the position well.

Another test to help gauge the quickness of the player is the lane agility test. Carter posted a time of 11.97 seconds, just faster than his teammate Stone, a center by trade.

In order to stick at the power forward position, Carter will need to be smart to combat his lack of athleticism, and he will also need to shoot well.

In the 5-on-5 scrimmage session, he just so happened to be one of the best performers. On Thursday afternoon, Carter put up 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including seven rebounds and four steals. He looked like the best player on the floor, and sometimes, the best player isn’t the most athletic.

Overall, Carter will continue to improve his shot, but if he can continue to improve his strength and be smart about jumping passing lanes, then he will continue to be successful, even without the best jumping ability on the court.

Next: Mr. Basketball IQ