The NBA Draft Combine invites have been confirmed for four out of five Arizona Basketball players.
The NBA Draft Combine invites have gone out, and 11 Pac-12 players out of approximately 63 are smiling today. For Arizona, Kobi Simmons, Rawle Alkins, Lauri Markkanen, and Kadeem Allen all made the list.
Sophomore big man, Chance Comanche’s name is not on the list.
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The same thing happened to T.J McConnell. The only difference is T.J. was a fifth-year senior who had enough connections to be added to the Combine at the last minute. Coach Sean Miller went to bat for McConnell according to his agent Chris Emens who told Bruce Pascoe (Arizona Daily Star).
Since Miller most probably wasn’t in favor of any underclassmen except Markkanen declaring for the draft, we think that may not happen in this case. That could also potentially mean that Comanche comes back to Arizona next season. Something we all want, but would be disappointing for The Chief.
The fact that Alkins got an invite is a good sign. He will at least get to compete and show off his skills.
Impossible is not a fact, it's an opinion. 💯 #SAVAGELIFE
— Rawle Alkins (@Iam_RawleAlkins) April 29, 2017
ESPN Insider Jeff Goodman put out an unofficial list of invites today. There are at least 14 Pac-12 players on Goodman’s list of invites to take part from May 9-14 at the Quest Center in Chicago (*players who may skip the Combine, **players testing draft):
Arizona (4)
Washington (1):
Oregon (4):
UCLA (4):
Utah (1):
It was originally reported Fultz would skip the draft combine, but it seems that is not the case, while Lonzo Ball as you may have guessed, will be skipping the Combine.
As of now, Markelle Fultz plans on attending the draft combine in Chicago, source told ESPN. Likely just do a couple interviews if he goes.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 29, 2017
Sources: Possible top pick Lonzo Ball formally informed NBA today he will skip the Draft Combine. Several top prospects expected to do same.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 29, 2017
Shall we relive this moment again? Do you already miss this team?
It is worth noting that there are about 70 Combine spots which don’t include international players, so definitely tough to just get a spot. Also, during the combine, an NBA team can hold up to 18 official interviews. There are only 60 draft picks.
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The players who have not hired an agent need to decide by May 24th whether they will be returning to their respective schools for another season. Allen, Markkenan, and Simmons are definitely gone, while we wait to hear about Alkins and Comanche. A few recruits are also waiting to decide if they will commit to Sean Miller and the University of Arizona dependent upon who returns. Until then, Bear Down and be patient!