Following Monday’s report on NBA Draft Combine: Five Stock Boosters here are five more winners from the Draft Combine.
Omer Yurtseven, N.C. State
First Day: 19 minutes, 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist, 6-for-8 field goals
Second Day: 22 minutes, 12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 5-for-6 field goals
Freshman year didn’t go as planned for the the Turkish native who came to the United States to play in the ACC. But while Yurtseven didn’t find his footing at N.C. State until late in the season, he seemed very comfortable scoring and rebounding his area at the Combine.
Making people remember why he was on teams’ radars with his play in Chicago, Yurtseven looked like a skilled big man who could become a positive scoring force. With a workable jumper that also could have extended range with added practice, Yurtseven could be an intriguing second-unit scoring big man or starter alongside a true rim protector.
Defensively, Yurtseven is still having issues defending ball screens and switching on quicker players and that will be something to watch for early in his career. Yurtseven told reporters he is looking for any type of guarantee from a team that wants to develop him in order to stay in the draft.
Semi Ojeleye, SMU
First Day: 25 minutes, 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2-for-4 three pointers
Second Day: 22 minutes, 10 points, 3 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks
After the combine, Ojeleye made the decision to get an agent and stick in the NBA Draft, so you can get a feel for how he did in Chicago based on that. Ojeleye did very well for himself as a productive force factor in both five-on-five games as he finished in double-figures in both while also posting solid steal numbers.
Testing well in max vertical leap at fifth overall (40.5 inches), standing vertical leap at third overall (35) and third in lane agility, Ojeleye showed that he could be a bit of a rim protecting presence while also having some versatility to maybe guard some bigger perimeter players.
Although a tad small at 6’6.75" with shoes on, Ojeleye had a solid 6’9.75" wingspan along with a strong 241-pound frame that only carries 5.5 percent body fat. That’s the type of frame and athleticism that should translate well as a potential two-way wing. If Ojeleye can consistently knock down perimeter shots then that could be what earns him huge minutes.
PJ Dozier, South Carolina
First Day: 19 minutes, 6 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Second Day: 30 minutes, 15 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 7-for-12 field goals
It was a bit of a sluggish start for the guard who left early after helping the Gamecocks to the Final Four. But Dozier slowly found his rhythm and had a strong second day while also looking solid in athletic testing.
Dozier had one of the biggest highlights of the combine when he finished a ridiculous alley-oop that displayed the athleticism that could get him selected. Finishing in the top ten max vertical leap (39 inches), no-step vertical (34 inches) and 3/4 court sprint (3.15 seconds), Dozier showed positive signs of being a versatile guard who might be able to play and defend multiple spots on the floor.
Perimeter shooting in workouts could be the key for Dozier, but he has intriguing playmaking elements about his game that are tough to teach along with good size (6’6.75" and length (6’11" wingspan) for a potential playmaking guard.
Jordan Bell, Oregon
First Day: 25 minutes, 13 points, 7 rebounds, 5 blocks, 5 assists, 5-for-7 field goals
Second Day: 26 minutes, 8 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
After being arguably the most productive player during the 2017 NCAA Tournament, Bell once again looked like a stat-stuffing force at the combine during five-on-five play.
Bell was productive all over the floor, especially as a terror on the defensive end, as Bell looked like he had the size and agility to switch onto a lot of smaller perimeter players. Also scoring a bit on hustle plays, Bell’s athleticism and combine testing translated very well, as it would be easy to see him getting selected on draft night.
The combine testing is what might have separated Bell from some of his peers. Finishing third in shuttle run (2.83 seconds) and second in lane agility (10.63), Bell looked like a guard in some of the quickness tests as he’s able to change direction very quickly for someone who is 6’8" and 223 pounds.
Frank Mason, Kansas
First Day: 22 minutes, 8 points, 4 assists, 1-for-3 three-pointers
Second Day: 21 minutes, 21 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 8-for-12 field goals, 1-for-2 three-pointers
As one of the more experienced players in the combine, Mason showed very well for himself as an immediate impact backup guard who could be productive in early minutes.
Mason scored the ball effectively when it was necessary and he also did a great job of getting others involved and controlling the game when the ball is in his hands. There’s a certain command that Mason has over the game when he’s running an offense and he was able to maintain that sense in a quicker environment during five-on-five play. If Mason can continue to hit three-pointers that bodes well for him potentially being drafted.
Defensively, Mason is on the smaller side, but he always competes when fighting screening big men and going against bigger players. Steal numbers could be low for Mason, so he might not be too big of an impact as a playmaking defensive guard.
Also finishing in the top five in max vertical leap (41 inches) and standing vertical leap (34 inches), Mason showed that he is a deceptive athlete with regards to his explosiveness around the basket.
