The 2026 NBA Combine has wrapped up, and the results are in. But what does it all mean? As an expert, I'm here to break down the winners and losers, offering my insights and analysis. Let's dive in.
The Standout Performers
Baba Miller (Cincinnati): Miller's measurements were impressive, but it was his performance in the scrimmage that truly stood out. His inside-out versatility and big-man finishing skills were on full display. I think Miller's a second-round pick who's fallen off the radar, but his performance here could change that. He's a 4-man with handles, passing, and strong rebounding and finishing skills. Miller's a player who's ready to make an impact at the next level.
Jaden Bradley (Arizona): Bradley was a Swiss Army Knife in the first scrimmage, showcasing his slashing, mid-range game, setup ability, and physicality. He's a point guard who's selling himself as a versatile player. I think Bradley's helped himself move up a tier, and his late-second-round projections could be too low. He's a player who can do a little of everything, and that's a valuable asset in the NBA.
Ja'Kobi Gillespie (Tennessee): Gillespie's shotmaking production and playmaking skills were on full display in the first half of the scrimmage. He's a small player, but he's selling himself as an instant-offense weapon. Gillespie's maximized his chances of hearing his name called on June 24, and I think he's a player who could go earlier than expected.
Cameron Carr (Baylor): Carr's athletic testing and measurements were already impressive, but his performance in the scrimmage was even more so. His ease at separating and shooting over defenders, as well as his ability to elevate above the rim, were obvious. Carr's a shotmaker with defensive tools, and I think he's locked into the mid-first round.
Dillon Mitchell (St. John's): Mitchell showed how he can impact games without needing creation or shooting. He was a game-high +17 with seven points, 10 boards, and eight assists, playing a Swiss Army Knife role. Mitchell's a player who can do a little of everything, and I think he's a second-round pick who's worth looking at.
Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan): Johnson's physical tools and movement were on full display, and his results in Chicago backed up the tape. He's a player with the size, weight, length, and reach of players like Naz Reid, Wendell Carter Jr., and Bobby Portis, but with far more functional athletic traits. Johnson's a player who's ready to make an impact at the next level.
Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas): Acuff's measurements were a top priority for lottery teams, and his 6'2" height, 185.8-pound weight, and 6'7" wingspan should be very reassuring. He's a player who very closely mirrors Damian Lillard's measurements from the 2012 NBA Combine, and I think Acuff's a player who could avoid teams red-flagging his size.
Alex Karaban (Connecticut): Karaban's measurements look strong for a wing or small-ball 4, and they mostly align with the listings from the 2024 NBA Combine. His standing vertical was particularly impressive, as he got up 5.5 inches higher this week than he did two years ago. Karaban's a player who's ready to make an impact at the next level.
Kingston Flemings (Houston): Flemings made up for some average measurements on Monday with one of the best all-around showings during athletic testing and shooting drills. He surprised by leading the NBA combine in the three-point star drill and finishing top five in several athletic tests. Flemings' all-around performance reinforced the idea that he's a very complete player.
The Disappointing Performances
Koa Peat (Arizona): Peat's measurements didn't present any new possibilities, and his shooting drills were underwhelming. Despite some strong athletic-testing numbers, NBA teams don't sound excited about a forward with wing height who doesn't create, shoot, or possess big-man defensive traits. I think Peat's a player who needs to work on his shooting and creating skills.
Amari Allen (Alabama): Allen's positional size has been considered a significant selling point, but there was a noticeable discrepancy between his listed NCAA measurements and his official NBA measurements. His 6'8" wingspan isn't overwhelming, and I think Allen's a player who needs to work on his shooting and creating skills.
Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt): Tanner's measurements under 5'11" won't help his cause, and I think he's a player who needs to work on his shooting and creating skills. While he has outlier potential, his unique dunk and block rates aren't enough to make up for his measurements. Tanner's a player who's still looking like a fringe first-round pick.
Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State): Jefferson didn't test well athletically, and his shooting drills were middle-to-bottom-of-the-pack. I think Jefferson's a player who needs to work on his shooting and creating skills. His decision to skip scrimmaging hasn't helped his cause, and I think he's a player who's more vulnerable as a prospect.
The Takeaway
The 2026 NBA Combine has provided some insights into the players who are ready to make an impact at the next level. Miller, Bradley, Gillespie, Carr, Mitchell, and Johnson Jr. are all players who have shown they're ready to contribute in the NBA. On the other hand, Peat, Allen, Tanner, and Jefferson are all players who need to work on their shooting and creating skills. As an expert, I think the Combine has provided some valuable insights into the players who are ready to make an impact in the NBA, and I'm excited to see how they perform in the draft.
