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Takeaways from the NBA Draft Combine
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Takeaways from the NBA Draft Combine

While the NBA Combine isn't quite the NFL Combine in terms of hype, it's still entertaining as hell. Not entertaining from a normal basketball standpoint, but entertaining because it's absurd how athletic and gangly some of the prospects are. We see guys every year with vertical leaps of more than 40 inches and players who have wingspans that are sometimes more than seven inches greater than their height. This year's combine was no different. Let's run through some of the more entertaining measurements and biggest takeaways from the 2019 NBA Combine.

 
1 of 15

Tacko Fall might be the largest human to ever play in the NBA

Tacko Fall might be the largest human to ever play in the NBA
Williams Paul/Icon Sportswire

Fall broke the database at the NBA Combine. He measures 7-foot-7 with shoes on, has an 8-foot-2 wingspan and a standing reach of 10-foot-2. By comparison, Yao Ming was 7-foot-6 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and 9-foot-6 standing reach. It’s hard to even comprehend how much space Fall can occupy on the court. His wingspan at plus-seven inches of his height is preposterous. In a league where giants like Boban Marjanovic can be a player efficiency rating monster in short stints, Fall could carve out a niche, especially after seeing how effective he was against Duke’s future NBA prospects in the NCAA Tournament. Any team selecting in the middle of the second round should think about rolling the dice on Tacko.

 
2 of 15

Bol Bol is also absurdly large...and skinny

Bol Bol is also absurdly large...and skinny
Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sports

Once he signs an NBA deal, Tacko Fall will tie the late Manute Bol and George Mureșan as the tallest players in NBA history. And how cool is it that he's in the same draft class as Manute’s son? Bol Bol’s draft status is basically going to come down to his medical evaluations. He has had foot issues, and drafting big men with foot injuries is an anathema for GMs. Bol’s combined height and wingspan measurements certainly didn’t hurt his stock. Measuring 7-foot-2.25 with a 7-foot-7 wingspan and 9-foot-7.5 standing reach, Bol is a unique talent. His game is perimeter-oriented on offense, and he should be effective on defense. Bol's insanely thin frame — he weighed just under 210 pounds — could scare teams.

 
3 of 15

Tyler Herro has T-Rex arms

Tyler Herro has T-Rex arms
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Most humans are as long as they are tall (meaning their wingspan usually is the same as their height). NBA players aren't like most humans — they tend to be longer than they are tall. Having long arms allows players to play better defense, grab more rebounds and finish at the rim. Kentucky's Herro is not a typical NBA player in that regard. He measured 6-foot-6 in shoes but only has a 6-foot-3 wingspan. For a guard, this is one of the more interesting height-to-wingspan ratios. JJ Redick has had a great career despite having a negative wingspan, but there aren't a ton of other successful two-guards built like that. While it shouldn't drop him out of the first round, Herro is going to face challenges from a physical standpoint in the league. 

 
4 of 15

Brandon Clarke's wingspan was an issue until he started jumping

Brandon Clarke's wingspan was an issue until he started jumping
Boyd Ivey/Icon Sportswire

In a league where nearly every player has a wingspan that’s a couple of inches longer than his height, it’s rare to see a top-flight prospect with an equal wingspan and height. Clarke measures 6-foot-8.25 in both. Those measurements immediately call into question whether he could be an effective, versatile wing defender and rim-protector. Fortunately for Clarke, he reminded people that his short wingspan shouldn’t matter. He has supreme athleticism, tying for third-highest standing vertical (34 inches) and max vertical (40.5 inches).

 
5 of 15

Nassir Little does not have T-Rex arms

Nassir Little does not have T-Rex arms
Kevin Jairajj-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into this season, Little was supposed to be the North Carolina foil to Duke’s fabulous freshman class. His freshman season didn’t exactly play out the way he or draft scouts were expecting. His top-five draft stock coming into the season plummeted to the point where, before a couple of redeeming late-season performances, many  wondered whether he should declare for the draft. Little's combination of measurements — he has a 7-foot-1.25 wingspan — and reputation coming out of high school are going to get him drafted in the teens.

 
6 of 15

Coby White's height justifies drafting him in the top 10

Coby White's height justifies drafting him in the top 10
William Howard/Icon Sportswire

White played below the rim for the most part in college but had an Afro that left you uncertain whether he was 6-foot-1 or 6-foot-4. I assumed he was closer to 6-foot-1, but the North Carolina standout measured 6-foot-4.75 without shoes on at the combine. This is huge for his draft stock, as it means he could theoretically guard ones and twos and shouldn't be a train wreck on defense because of physical limitations. It also means he can play alongside other point guards as opposed to always needing a bigger guard in the backcourt with him. White seemed to trend toward top-10 status before the combine. His measurement should justify any point guard-needy team selecting him from No. 6 on.

 
7 of 15

It's too bad the top guys don't participate

It's too bad the top guys don't participate
Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Most top draft prospects decline measurements or participation in combine drills or scrimmages. Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, RJ Barrett, Darius Garland — all considered top-five prospects — met with teams but didn’t participate in activities. While it’s understandable for agents to hold out top guys for fear of injury or an unfortunate measurement, it kind of sucks that we may never know the standing verticals and max verticals for Williamson and Morant. Williamson famously outjumped Duke’s vertical leap measuring device last summer. Does that mean he’s flirting with a 50-inch max vertical? These are the answers the people need to know!

 
8 of 15

The first day of 5-on-5 scrimmages U-G-L-Y

The first day of 5-on-5 scrimmages U-G-L-Y
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Besides Grant Williams, who had a rough shooting performance (2-of-13) during his first scrimmage, hardly any scrimmage participants were first-round prospects…and it showed. Three of the four teams in the first day of scrimmages shot under 38 percent from the field. Only two players (Cody Martin and Quinndary Weatherspoon) had more than five assists. The neatest stat line came from potential late-first-rounder Nic Claxton, who had seven points, seven rebounds, seven blocks and a plus-minus of plus-seven!

 
9 of 15

Jordan Bone made himself some bones with his testing

Jordan Bone made himself some bones with his testing
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

At every combine, several prospects flash a level of athleticism that hardly anyone knew they possessed. A couple of years ago it was Pat Connaughton. Last year it was Donte DiVincenzo. This year it was Kyle Guy — just kidding. It was actually Tennessee point guard Jordan Bone, who finished first in basically every testing category. He had the quickest shuttle (2.78 seconds), fastest three-quarter court sprint (3.03 seconds), best lane agility (9.97 seconds), highest standing vertical leap (36-inches) and second-highest max vertical leap (42.5-inches). Is that good? Bone was probably a fringe second-round pick heading into the combine. He likely guaranteed himself a spot somewhere in the second round.

 
10 of 15

Just what is Talen Horton-Tucker?

Just what is Talen Horton-Tucker?
Stephen Spillman-USA TODAY Sports

In a draft that includes two of the planet's tallest humans, Horton-Tucker of Iowa State stood out with his physical characteristics. THT is 6-foot-4 with a 7-foot-1.25 wingspan and weighs about 260 pounds. He’s basically a shorter PJ Tucker with Draymond Green's wingspan. Nobody seems to know what to make of him as a prospect. He has guard skills but a pretty ineffective shot. His body would suggest that he could possibly play small-ball five, like Tucker did when the Warriors played Durant at center. But he’s shorter than Coby White. He's just a bizarre-looking player. I can’t wait to see what happens with him in the NBA.

 
11 of 15

Jalen Lecque can jump out of the gym

Jalen Lecque can jump out of the gym
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

You've probably never heard of Lecque, who wasn't on the draft radar for most until recently. He was expected to enroll at NC State, but is draft-eligible because he played an extra year of prep school this past season. Then he showed up at the combine and jumped out of the gym with a combine-best 43-inch max vertical. This apparently got him some sort of promise from a team or multiple teams — he pulled out of the second day of scrimmages. While there's a good chance Lecque never develops into a great NBA player, he'll get plenty of opportunities to catch on because of his crazy athleticism. Just ask Derrick Jones Jr. what a huge vertical can do for your career. 

 
12 of 15

Who else made themselves some money?

Who else made themselves some money?
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

In no particular order, here are players who benefited most from their performances at the combine:  

  • Luka Samanic, a 6-foot-11 Croatian who struggled overseas this past season, impressed scouts. He probably played himself back into the first round.
  • Dewan Hernandez (pictured) is back on the radar for scouts. He didn't play for Miami this past season because he was named beneficiary in the NCAA-Adidas FBI scandal. He put up big numbers in both of his scrimmages.
  • Isaiah Roby, a forward from Nebraska, was impressive in scrimmages.
  • Nic Claxton, a versatile big man from Georgia, displayed an ability to defend multiple positions and protect the rim at a high level. 
  • Tremont Waters, a freshman point guard from LSU, showed off three-point range and an ability to run a team.
 
13 of 15

These guys are who we thought they were

These guys are who we thought they were
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

For some prospects, the combine was all about confirming they're as tall, lengthy and, in some cases, athletic as we thought they were. That list included: 

  • Jaxson Hayes, who is 6-foot-11 with shoes, has a 7-foot-3.5 wingspan and a 9-foot-2.5 standing reach. 
  • Jarrett Culver (pictured) is 6-foot-6.75 with shoes and has a 6-foot-9.5 wingspan.
  • Kevin Porter, who is 6-foot-5.5 with shoes on, has a 6-foot-9 wingspan and displayed decent numbers in most every drill.
  • PJ Washington measured 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan.

All four all but guaranteed they'll be selected in the top 20. 

 
14 of 15

The Cam Reddish and Romeo Langford hype is regaining some traction

The Cam Reddish and Romeo Langford hype is regaining some traction
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Touted freshmen Cam Reddish (Duke) and Romeo Langford (Indiana) largely disappointed this past season. The combine was an opportunity for them to remind scouts why they were originally held in high regard. Both had impressive measurements. Reddish is 6-foot-8 and has a 7-foot-0.5 wingspan. He's more than just a spot-up shooter — he played point guard in high school — so perhaps Reddish will get more ball-handling opportunities in the NBA. Langford measured 6-foot-6 and has a 6-foot-11 wingspan. At the combine, he mentioned how his torn thumb ligament affected his shooting in college. He said he kept playing because of a sense of duty to his teammates. Reddish could be in play as early as No. 4, where the Lakers pick. Langford could be in play at the back half of the lottery. 

 
15 of 15

Brian Bowen II and Darius Bazley are going to be sweating out draft night

Brian Bowen II and Darius Bazley are going to be sweating out draft night
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Two former McDonald's All-Americans, neither of whom played college basketball last season, will sweat out draft night. Both were unspectacular at the combine. Bowen, who was the early centerpiece of the NCAA-Adidas FBI probe and played sparingly in the Australian league, scored well in scrimmages (10 per game) but didn't do anything to leap into the late first or early second round. Same goes for Bazley, who passed up a chance to play for Syracuse or overseas. He opted instead for a $1 million internship with New Balance. Bazley has a multi-faceted game, but it's unclear if he's an NBA-level player. 

Pat Heery began his sports writing career in 2016 for The Has Been Sports Blog. He practices real estate law during the day and runs pick & rolls at night. Follow him on Twitter: @pheery12

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