The top prospects in the 2011 NBA Draft are gathering in Chicago for the annual draft combine. Players will be measured, will undergo athletic tests, meet with teams and -- with some exceptions -- will run drills to test skill levels. A few of the best prospects, including presumptive No. 1 pick Kyrie Irving, will skip the drill portion, reports Chad Ford.
2011 NBA Draft Combine Begins In Chicago; Top Prospects Meet With Teams, Get Measured
But the measurements are one of the main attractions; expect to hear about Bismack Biyombo’s crazy wingspan (measured at 7’7 at Nike Hoop Summit) and any number of players who will turn up a few inches shorter than listed in college. Much ado will be made about the measurements, but in the end, how it translates on the court is something teams will have to figure out.
Teams get a chance to interview 18 of the prospects at the combine; this is most notably a chance to talk to the top prospects to begin to get a read on how they handle pressure and what their personalities are like. Players can raise red flags in these sessions; Hassan Whiteside hardly needed help raising red flags last year, but his combine claims -- apparently dead serious -- that he should be the No. 1 pick furthered the big man's reputation as an overconfident kid.
ESPNU and ESPN3.com will carry live coverage of the draft combine on Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET. Stay tuned to this StoryStream for updates throughout the combine.
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