NBA Combine Details
The NBA Player Draft Combine is the first step most players must take to start the strenuous talent evaluation process teams go through. The process for NBA prospects starts with five-on-five games, shooting, strength and agility drills. This is usually done each year in the middle of May.
National Basketball Association coaches, general managers, scouts, and some third party evaluators take part in this event. Athletes attend by invitation only. Three are rare occasions where special uninvited players have to participate. I explain this later.
NBA Pro Combine
Athletes should take the NBA Combine seriously. They should additionally take the measurement tests with an attention to detail. Performing well not only shows your potential and athleticism but it also shows that you have worked on your body and physical development. Imagine if Kobe Bryant or Lebron James chose to just play basketball and not do weight room work, shooting drills, dribbling bills, and body recovery work. The obvious answer is they would not be the Kobe and Lebron that we now know. The longevity of LeBron’s career would likely be much shorter. Kobe Bryant’s greatness was extended because of his willingness to work on the nuances of athlete recovery and physical body development.
An athlete’s performance during the combine can impact everything. In the past, top players have chosen to bypass the combine. Get guidance in this area from evaluators, league execs, if possible, and qualified intelligent people that have a track record of excellence.
In reality, competition is always good, especially for those that are not top draft picks. If you are on the fringes, this is your opportunity to rise. If you are considered a lock, it may be wise to sit out, unless you feel it could move you to the upper realms of the lottery. The NBA Combine can impact the draft stock, draft perspective, draft salary, and your future.
The NBA athletic tests include:
- vertical jump (no steps)
- maximum vertical jump (with steps)
- bench press
- three-quarter-court sprint time
- lane agility time
Physical Combine measurements include:
- height with shoes
- height without shoes
- wingspan
- weight
- standing reach
- body fat
- hand length
- hand width
NBA Combine shooting tests include:
- spot-up
- off the dribble
- three-point field goals high school, college, and NBA distances
Why The NBA Draft Combine is Important
NBA Draft Combine is the largest pre-draft gathering for testing and drills. It is best to practice and prepare throughout your basketball development to ensure you can meet the minimum standards of NBA talent evaluation.
Visit NBA.com and you can check your shooting, physical and athletic measurable against the competition. Our AI allows you to enter your height, weight, and physical measurables to compare against the historical NBA database that contains 25 years of NBA draft picks. You can get an analytical evaluation which is where all of the sports are going. We then can provide you with insights to help you reach your goals.
The invitation list is determined by a vote of the member teams of the NBA.
What if you are not invited to NBA Combine?
The best thing you can do is to contact the league office. To see if you can get a special invitation. I only know of one situation where a player showed up without an invitation and made it work.
The reality is everything in today’s NBA sports recruiting process is systemized. The entire recruiting process is run extremely professional and attempting to break or deviate from that can often cause more problems as people may interpret that as you not following the rules.
If you do everything you are supposed to do as far as preparing, playing on a reputable team, creating videos of your play and sending that to colleges, scouts, evaluators and such. You will most likely get a shot somewhere.
The basketball opportunities are expanding worldwide and if players cannot find an opportunity in the NBA or affiliate G league, there is a wealth of opportunities overseas. Opportunites internationally if you live in the US and are willing to play outside of the US include Australian Basketball League, Italian League, Spanish League, turkey Beko and other reputable leagues that are featured in our blog about International basketball Opportunites.
In 2001 Ty Ellis out of a small school in Oklahoma failed to receive an invitation. He purchased his own ticket, showed up with a resume in hand and eventually earned his way onto a summer league roster spot with Los Angeles Lakers.
He spent the next 10 years playing professionally in the top leagues in Europe and even on a European national team. In 2017 Ty was named an assistant coach for USA Basketball led by Jeff Van Gundy. Ty Ellis is a rare story and as you can see, someone that was deserved of that invitation. I would not recommend this route because the NBA has a process of evaluation. But again there are rare exceptions.
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2019-20 NBA COMBINE KEY DATES |
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UPCOMING DATES |
EVENT |
| March 1st, 2020 | Playoff Eligibility Waiver Deadline |
| April 15th, 2020 | Final Day Of Regular Season |
| April 16th, 2020 | Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2020 (3 p.m. ET) |
| April 18th, 2020 | NBA Playoffs 2020 begin |
| April 26th, 2020 | NBA Early Entry Eligibility Deadline (11:59 p.m. ET) |
| May 4th-5th, 2020 | Conference Semifinals begin (possible move up to May 2-3) |
| May 19th, 2020 | NBA Draft Lottery 2020 (Chicago) |
| May 19th-20th, 2020 | Conference Finals begin (possible move up to May 17-18) |
| May 21st-24th, 2020 | NBA Draft Combine 2020 (Chicago) |
| June 4th, 2020 | NBA Finals 2020 begin |
| June 15th, 2020 | NBA Draft Early Entry Entrant Withdrawal Deadline (5 p.m. ET) |
| June 21st, 2020 | The Finals 2020 latest possible date |
| June 25th, 2020 | NBA Draft 2020 |
Understanding NBA Combine Results
The NBA Combine will prove teams and evaluators with analytics. This will provide you with to give you a clear understanding of where you measure up to the competition. Additionally, It can point you to the right people to get you where you want to go if you are willing to work on improving measurables or sport-specific skills.
What NBA Teams are at NBA Combine
All teams will have representatives at the NBA Combine. Sacramento, Lakers, Kings, Trailblazers, Thunder, Suns, Mavericks, Spurs, Heat, Jazz, Nuggets, Pelicans, Knicks, Timberwolves, 76ers, Washington, Nets, Bucks, Bulls, Rockets, Hornets, Pistons, Hawks, Raptors, Celtics, Magic, Cavs, Clippers, Grizzlies, and Warriors.
Deeper Understanding of Combine Results Using Our AI
Our AI results can use NBA Combine data to provide an honest assessment in addition to giving you a plan of action to meet your specific goals and assist you with performance development. We have direct contact with NBA staff that can give us information that will be invaluable to you. We are not an agency, we are talent evaluators that want to make sure no athlete is left behind.
NBA Combine FAQ
What happens at the NBA combine?
At the combine, college basketball players are measured and take medical tests, are interviewed, perform various athletic tests and shooting drills, and play in five-on-five drills for an audience of National Basketball Association (NBA) coaches, general managers, and scouts. Athletes attend by invitation only.
How many players get invited to NBA Combine?
77 players invited to the combine, another 29 draft-eligibles having been to the G League event, plus international players eligible to be selected for only 60 draft spots. As such, plenty of guys will see their hopes of playing in the NBA next season dashed in the next few weeks
Where is the NBA Combine?
The NBA Player Draft Combine is the first step in the Pre Draft process for NBA hopefuls and features games as well as shooting and strength and agility drills at Quest Multisport in Chicago on Thursday, May 16 and Friday, May 17.
What was Michael Jordan's vertical?
Michael Jordan's vertical jump was officially measured at North Carolina during his time at college. There, he reached a maximum running jump of almost 46 inches and also showed a 42″ vertical or one-handed dunks.
How long is an NBA court?
94 feet Overall Court Regulation Sizes: NBA Professional and College – 94 ft long and 50 ft wide. High School – 84 ft long and 50 ft wide. Junior High – 74 feet long and 42 feet wide
Can you enter the NBA without being drafted?
Absolutely. The NBA has many examples of players who weren't drafted. However, every player who intends to play in the NBA must declare or become eligible for the draft. ... When you don't get drafted, you are still eligible to sign with an NBA team as an undrafted free agent.
How much is the NBA Combine bench press?
NFL has its obsession with the 40-yard dash, the NBA has the vertical leap. But perhaps the most questionable measurement taken at the NBA Combine is the bench press. Kevin Garnet hated it. Players are asked to bench press 185 lbs
Do NBA players squat?
Most male basketball players severely lack the mobility to squat properly in their ankles, hips, and t-spine. ... Most basketball players don't squat deep enough to get the full benefit of squats, especially when they're squatting to improve their vertical jump
How much do G League players get paid?
Average of $44,000 in NBA affiliate player bonuses – a total of more than $3 million on top of NBA G League salary. A record 50 NBA G League players earned a record 60 callups. Call-Ups to the NBA this season, of more than $11 million, or approximately $225,000 per player. NBA players will continue to enter into two-way contracts. NBA two-way players will earn $77,250, prorated for days spent on a G League roster, And the NBA rookie minimum salary, prorated for the days on NBA team, for maximum potential of $385,000