[BothTeamsPlayedHard-Participant]

https://www.nba.com/news/2025-nba-draft-combine-list-of-invites

[OhCanada-Participant]

Interesting. Thierry Darlan didn’t get an invite. Hansen Yang got in represented by Klutch. Kobe Sanders is in. Neoklis Avdalas.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Imo Treysen Eaglestaff was snubbed.

[BothTeamsPlayedHard-Participant]

Isn’t Eaglestaff going to West Virginia?

The G-League Elite Combine list will probably come out shortly. I would think the G-Leaguers like Darlan and Isaac Nogues get in that one. With a decent number of the international players likely having to miss it because their teams are still in-season, a few more guys than usual might get bumped up.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

He’s committed to West Virginia – yes like Coward is committed to Duke… but they’re both testing technically. Eaglestaff showed some game this year.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Ithink Bruce Thornton got snubbed. Not sure how Jevon small got in but Bruce Thornton didn’t. Both very similar players, playstyle, size, rankings.

[JazzPParticipant]

I think Thierry Darlan is a 1st round pick, and at the very least worth intrigue in this kind of scenario, so that seems like the biggest snub to me. Bruce Thornton feels pretty egregious, too.
I’m a bit surprised Mohamed Diawara and Kadary Richmond didn’t make it, either.

I am utterly not surprised that Thijs de Ridder and Lefteris Mantzoukas (auto eligible foreign players) didn’t make it, but I would have liked to have seen how de Ridder matched up with the draft class in scrimmages.
Mantzoukas I think is perhaps a more likely candidate for the draft than he seems to be mocked but I’m not sure the combine is really the scene for him anyways. He’s pretty one-dimensional as a shooting specialist (even though he’s power forward sized), not really much else there I don’t think. But he’s pretty dang good at shooting. Could’ve been nice to see him show off at the shooting drills at least.

[BothTeamsPlayedHard-Participant]

And the G-League Elite Camp Invites
https://x.com/MikeAScotto/status/1918849828051673133/photo/1

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

There’s some deep sleepers on that list… Amazing Eaglestaff not only not at the combine, but not the GLeague either… Maybe he’ll score more 40 point games at a bigger school in West Virginia in more consistent spotlight… Ultimate snub! Plays 3 positions, can dribble/pass/shoot well. I think he’ll be selected someday even in a tough draft.

There is a lot to like about this list though… Kobe Johnson is crazy athletic, Viktor Lahkin I think’s better than Vladislav Goldin – he’s pretty good. Lots of solid guards including Chase Hunter, Keshon Gilbert, Chucky Hepburn, Caleb Grill, Jaron Pierre Jr., Chris Youngblood, Tamar Bates, Curtis Jones… I’m wondering who is going to play their way up in stock at this event… Thierry Darlan I’m curious about – haven’t seen a ton of him. Kadary Richmond and Miles Kelly I can see making the league. I like most of these guys actually… It would be fun to watch more scrimmages at the combine and extend the list to 100 or something… I get why they don’t though. Almost forgot, Sanon probably has the most upside on the list, although he needs to improve his defense.

Who’s your best bet(s) and biggest snub(s)?

[BothTeamsPlayedHard-Participant]

Jonas Aidoo is still someone who I think can make a roster and develop. He was really raw early in his time in college, and has grown quite a bit. The season at Arkansas was a mess because Calipari didn’t know what worked. The team was better with more Nelly Davis and Aidoo, and less Boogie Fland and Zvonimir Ivisic. That showed itself when they were actually able to win games down the stretch. Plus, he measured out with a 7’5.5″ wingspan and 9’4″ standing reach at Portsmouth. Coleman Hawkins had a rough run at K-State, but that wasn’t stunning given the odd roster construction. Still, not getting a G-League Elite Camp invite kind of seals it as a year to forget. I would have though Chigbuzo Agbo and Jamiya Neal would be there as they have the size and style of play teams like for two-ways. Some of the international guys are still in season, so that might explain a bit, but Eli N’Diaye is on the list. Thijs De Ridder and Bassala Bagayoko would seemingly be guys teams would want to see. Mouhamed Faye would too. With a few traditionally 4th year eligible international prospects committing to colleges (Ilias Kamardine to Mississippi, Sananda Fru to Louisville, Mihailo Petrovic to Illinois, and possibly Musa Sagnia to NC State), it is a bit difficult to know who is in that pool.

[OhCanada-Participant]

I’m interested to see how Joan Beringer measures out. The NBA playoffs has proven there are ways around being a 7’foot Center. Jalen Duren, Naz Reid, Alperen Sengun and Al Horford all proving that in different ways. So even if he does only measure at 6’10 his 7’5 wingspan should more than make up for it and the real coincern should be how he deals with physicality and how much he can bulk up without losing his explosiveness and agillity.

Beringer has been playing well as of late in the Adriatic League and his minutes have increased. Its worth noting that KK Cedevita is one of the best teams in the league and their games are very competitive. I think he has moved firmly into the top 20 of the draft. Once again his abillity to move his feet and overall athletisism is extremely rare at his size. Only guys his size really doing that in the NBA are Evan Mobley, Anthony Davis, Victor Wembanyama, and maybe you can throw in Bam Adebayo.

He is the third youngest player in the draft and he has only been playing basketball for 3 years. I feel like any team interested in Khaman Maluach will also be taking a serious look at Joan Beringer.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

I’m pretty sure his wingspan is 7’5″. I think it would depend on team how high he gets drafted… Someone who definitely wants a swing and has great coaching staff. He seems very coachable. He does land a little funny sometimes, but you’re right, his feet on the defensive end are quick for switch ability. Does he get picked ahead of CMB? It’s funny, neither of us are incredibly high on CMB (I like him but not as high as I’ve seen) but I’ve seen the guy in the top 5!!! And I even saw Carter Bryant 4th on a big board… smh. I like Bryant – But 4th overall!!? I guess I’m wondering since you bring up Beringer, who’s your top 10 big men in the draft? Where would Beringer stack up atm?

[OhCanada-Participant]

Yeah I’m not sure. Thats kind of why I haven’t been doing the (vs.) threads just yet. I think the tiers are still playing themselves out. The rankings are still being established. The combine should show us where these guys really stack up. Like Hansen Yang, was he just beating up on poor competition? Same with Joan. The Adriatic League is not a very good league overall. Then theres Thomas Sorber who I had in the lottery before he got injured and now I see him mocked in the 2nd round in some drafts. Are teams going to forget about how versatile he was and his playmaking and will he get a chance to workout or is he still injured? Theres still alot of question marks.

CMB is a weird prospect to me. I think he will be a good pro, I’m not sure he has star potential. Without a legit jumpshot I’m worried he will fall into that Rondae Hollis Jefferson kind of space. Or the long list of Kentucky tweener forwards who were supposed to develop a jumpshot but never did.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

With Hansen Yang, it’s a little bit of both. He beats on bad competition but also beat up on Alex Sarr in the beginning of the last draft cycle. That’s actually what first wowed me about him. Then there’s some good footage that makes him look like an even slower Jokic if that’s possible… He’s a tough one too. I don’t think your drafting Yang for his quick defensive feet like you would a Beringer. Yang’s also lost some weight since last summer. Beringer I think could be a poor man’s Jarrett Allen which isn’t bad if his measurements check out. I think you’ve seen my Anthony Mason comp for CMB, that’s a close impact comp too imo. (Whereas my Philon to Rondo is more strictly stylistic) I’m not sold on CMB’s shooting range and what he would do against the Mobley and Wembys of the world. Otherwise, he’s a solid play likely.

[OhCanada-Participant]

As for Eaglestaff love it or hate it a guy like that who is probably not going to test well athletically is probably going to have a difficult time getting an invite without playing for a sponsored school. They would probably wanna funnel him into their system of advertisements and commercials before giving him his shot to prove himself as a pro. Hate to be that guy but its just how it is.

Over or under 7’7 for Rueben Chinyelu’s wingspan?

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

I’ll say even – or exactly on the wingspan!

There are guys like Ryan Nembhard – good college player, but really? Eaglestaff any day of the week. Payton Sandfort. Idk, I think there’s a spot for him in the league someday.

[HitsterParticipant]

The draft combine list from the NBA would cover pretty much everyone I’d want it to. Wouldn’t the colleges have fairly accurate measurements and weights of their guys? We know Rasher Fleming has a very good wingspan despite being a couple of inches shorter in height than other guys in his position.

The likes of Yang, Beringer and Zikarsky will be interesting for me.

I guess the guys have to get into almost game level fitness for the combines as some NCAA guys might have been having some down time after play offs or if they didn’t make it. Would Ace and Harper be expected to be at their game weight if they have been away for a bit. Guys have combine, work outs, draft, summer leagues so could have had a short break.

I guess it depends on what guys metabolisms are like some might keep to their fighting weight pretty much all year round others could put on 20lbs in the off season and lose it during training camp.

Nice point about Rueben Chinyelu by Oh Canada as a member of the title winning team I feel he deserved an invite to the main combine unless he is testing the water. But he has an NBA ready build at over 250lbs and if his wingspan is good I can see teams having a good look at him given his defensive potential and title winning pedigree.

How many if any out of Zikarsky, Beringer and Yang end up in the first round?

I’d only say Beringer with any confidence but all three could do if some teams take a punt.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Alot to take from this post.

I think teams prefer to get their own official measurements rather than rely on unknown staff with varying expertise. If you ask the Toronto Raptors Scottie Barnes is 6’10 but official measurements have him at 6’8 and ESPN has him at 6’7. Same with Jaren Jackson. He and Memphis has claimed he is 7’0 now but he measured at 6’9 if I’m not mistaken.

Fleming is an odd case. It’s still hard to project him as a Center. The bulk of the actual Center minutes were shared at St Joe’s this year. He got alot of blocks and steals mostly by being a stay at home defender but for someone with all those “stocks” his reaction time and anticipation can seem to by a step behind at times in the games I’ve watched him. He kind of reacts instead of anticipates. He also compared himself to Jaden McDaniels a guy who is 30 or 40 pounds lighter than him. Does he truly want to play that position and is he really prepared to get banged up by Nikola Jokic one night and Zach Edey the next? If he says he is willing to in combine and workout interveiws is he telling the truth or just saying what teams wanna hear, and is he being homest with himself?

I’m pretty sure this year all combine invitee’s are obligated to participate in scrimmages. Although they also released this in the statement “The NBA may excuse an invited player’s attendance or participation at the Draft Combine and require the player to complete Draft Combine activities at a later date.”. So who knows how that will work. I expect alot of fake injuries to be in play.

Theres alot of mixed opinions on Hansen Yang. The consensus seems to be that he won’t be able to defend anybody in the NBA at this point. He also cannot shoot and lacks a certain level of competitiveness you want to see from your Center position. An NBA C needs to have alot of presence on the floor. But then you know he’s Chinese and he is signed by Klutch and backed by the powerhouse Tencent and to be honest even I’m a little bit scared to say anything bad about Tencent… To his credit the CBA’s schedule is extremely difficult and it seems he may have decided to take a night of every now and again due to their grueling schedule, that could have just been the night Danny Ainge showed up with sunglasses on and a fake moustache to scout him.

[HitsterParticipant]

Players would be measured in college so to lie about their height and weight would be hard unless some heights are without trainers on. I’d take the height listed to be the height of the guy in trainers as they don’t play barefoot. If guys were lying about their height then they would soon be noticed next to someone who was bigger but was the same listed height as has often happened in wrestling over the years.

The reach, wingspan and fat percentage I take close note of. But teams have such advanced training and diets they can pretty much bulk a guy up if needed.

I wonder who could be the guy who gives a “wow” set of measurement statistics and might move up the board. There is usually one guy each year.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

I think we already said them – Joan Beringer/Rocco Zikarsky if it’s a measurement thing. I’m really wondering how Coward does at the combine. I’m not sure if he’s clear yet for everything. Maluach is an obvious measurement choice though.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Noa Essengue maybe an example of a botched measurement. They had him with a 6’11 wingspan and a 9’3 standing reach which seems incorrect.

Myles Byrd could be this years combine winner. He’s supposed to have a 7’0+ wingspan.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Cedric Coward’s is rumored to be 7’2″ wingspan. He could be a winner.

[HitsterParticipant]

Crawford for Miami at 20 could be an option. That wingspan would be great on defence. T-Wolves looking for depth and Orlando could be landing spots for him too.

[OhCanada-Participant]

I wanna get a little bit more in depth on Miles Byrd because I think the success of Amen and Ausar Thompson really helps his stock. He kind of has the same build and defensive versatility as those two players and depending on how he tests athletically we could see some teams take serious interest in Byrd. I’ve seen 7’0 and 7’1 as his wingspan, he looks all the part of 6’7. His build kind of has been hidden a bit because he wears those longsleeves but he averaged 2 steals and 1 block this year. He shot poor percentages from three but on high volume and that will likely keep him out of the lottery but he has a pure shooters form and shot 83% on free throws in 68 games.

I think he’s a steal if he gets picked outside of the lottery and I feel like he is a player that can help a winning team right away. My comparison for his immediate role would be Aaron Wiggins of OKC but longterm his potential is very high.

[HitsterParticipant]

Miles has a huge amount of defensive potential and teams can work on his shot. I’d have had him down as a second rounder but if he measures out as well as has been suggested he could sneak into the first round. He is the sort of player a contender likes to have on their roster for certain match ups.

Brooklyn with those first rounders might look to fill various roster needs and someone like him fills up several.

[Author]

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