The NBA Draft Combine started yesterday, which means we got some important information regarding various prospects athletic measurements. Here’s how some of the prospects in the projected range the Kings will be picking stood out:
Keaton Wagler – 6’5 barefoot, 6’7.75 wingspan, 8’4 standing reach
Kingston Flemings – 6’2.5 barefoot, 6’3.5 wingspan, 8’2.5 standing reach
Darius Acuff Jr. – 6’2 barefoot, 6’7 wingspan, 8’2.5 standing reach
Mikel Brown Jr. – 6’3.5 barefoot, 6’7.5 wingspan, 8’4.5 standing reach
Nate Ament – 6’9.5 barefoot, 6’11.5 wingspan, 9’1.5 standing reach
Brayden Burries – 6’3.75 barefoot, 6’6 wingspan, 8’2.5 standing reach
Labaron Philon – 6’2.5 barefoot, 6’6.25 wingspan, 8’3.5 standing reach\
Kingston Flemings measurements in particular stood out, as he had by far the shortest wingspan of any of the guards, which could be considered a big detriment at the next level and cause his stock to drop. While Flemings is considered one of the best two-way guards in the draft and was known for his defensive intensity in college, his lack of reach isn’t going to help at the next level on either end of the floor and bigger and longer competition. Keaton Wagler also didn’t jump off the page with his wingspan to height ratio, and it makes sense that both Flemings and Wagler dealt with struggles finishing at the rim as a result. Wagler notably didn’t have a single dunk in his entire college season. The other guards all measured reasonably well, including Acuff and particularly Mikel Brown Jr. Nate Ament also has great measurables for a wing, but he will need to fill out as he’s only 210 pounds.
Some other standouts from the combine measurements include Michigan’s Aday Mara, who measured 7’3 barefoot and has a standing reach of 9’9, tying Mark Williams for the highest standing reach ever recorded (Victor Wembanyama notably did not attend the draft combine). Houston’s Chric Cenac measured at 6’10.25 with a 7’5 wingspan and 9’0.5 standing reach, great for a big man, and Baylor’s Cameron Carr measured 6’4.5 with a 7’0.75 wingspan and 8’8 standing reach.
The full results for the measurements will eventually be posted here, and more results for other tests like speed and shooting drills will be added as the combine continues, although not every prospect will participate. Athletic measurements are just one part of evaluation, but outlier results one way or the other can definitely affect draft stock. Still we’ve seen time and time again that sometimes players don’t make the full use of their athletic gifts, while others make the most of it. Only time will tell, and it will be up to Scott Perry and the Kings front office to parse the data and film and decide for themselves who they think will help the Kings the most. For all our sakes, hopefully they get it right.