NBA Combine: Rawle Alkins delivers stellar performance

Rawle Alkins competed in his second NBA Combine, and day two proved to be a repeat from last year, he killed it.

Arizona Basketball produces a lot of NBA players, and this year they will probably have at least three drafted in the 2018 NBA Draft. Alkins Grey team won 98-66 in game four and that wasn’t lost on the Wildcat as he and his teammates took a winning picture in the locker room.

Alkins got a lot of great feedback from NBA teams as scouts have been attending a lot of his games this season, they know what he is capable of on the court. But at the combine, they get a feel for him off the court. His infectious smile, his confidence and his knowledge about his strengths as well as what he successfully improved on over the last year would prove beneficial to his draft stock.

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Rawle has become a favorite player for Hoops Hype Writer and USA Today Editor Bryan Kalbrosky who tweeted, “Rawle Alkins is one of my favorite players in the draft. The Brooklyn-born prospect won all four high school city titles in New York and then two Pac-12 Conference championships in college.”

There were a few Pac-12 players playing in the five-on-five scrimmage including Deanthonly Melton (USC), Kris Wilkes and Jaylen Hands (UCLA testing the waters). A number of players in the draft and at the Combine did not compete in the five-on-five scrimmages, and according to Jay Bilas, that was a huge mistake.

The Lakers GM Rob Pelinka explained to the Combine Announcers that his organization takes all of the Combine into account, and the Clippers Director of Player Personel also was paying close attention. Both Allonzo Trier and Alkins, roomies at the combine, don’t shy away from a challenge. Allonzo came in third for all guards in the shuttle run at 2.96.

Alkins measured better this year. His body fat percentage decreased from 11 percent to 8.9 percent, he grew an inch from 6-feet-3.75 to 6-feet-4.75, and lost five pounds overall from 223 to 217.

Last year, Alkins scored18 points in the first game of the day, earning him lots of praise from Sports Illustrated’s NBA Draft Analyst Jeremy Woo. Granted day one wasn’t as productive for Alkins scoring four points and five rebounds, but day two was complete redemption! Woo did not miss talking about our Wildcat this year, he took notice of his blocking stat, “Not sure when the last time someone had five blocks in a Combine game, but Rawle Alkins made it happen.”

Alkins went out on a high note, his team won both games. In game two, day two, In 23.5 minutes, King Rawle scored 17 points on 7-11 FG (64%), grabbed six rebounds, blocked five shots (Wow!), dished two assists, made 1-2 from three (50%), and 2-4 free throws. On top of that, Alkins max vertical leap was the 6th-best overall (41.5″).

He outperformed the other two team leaders from the game:

• Jevon Carter (West Virginia): 29 min, 17 pts, 5 REB, 4 AST, 8-17 FG, 1-4 3pt
• De’Anthony Melton (USC): 22.5 min, 15 pts, 5 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 5-8 FG

Here is one of Alkins blocks:

Alkins spoke to the Orlando Magic and explained that his biggest strengths are his motor and his defense. He feels being a two-way player will get him court-time in the NBA. He told Bruce Pascoe that he doesn’t listen to mock drafts, that those are for the media and fans, “Even the coaches and scouts tell me they don’t look at mocks.” Pascoe also talked to the Phoenix Suns GM Ryan McDonough, who told him that he would keep his eyes on Trier and Alkins. The Suns have the first pick along with the 31st and 59th picks. Could the Suns draft two Wildcats this year? Hmm.

‘Bear Down Baby’ Indeed!

Here are last years combine Aklins highlights.

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Pre-Combine workouts? Check! Body fat reduced? Check! Higher averages in college, check! Winning attitude! Check, check, check. Tomorrow is physical check day then Sunday is back to the grind and entertains Team invites for private workouts. Still think the Cats will go higher than predicted, and as Rawle says, “Who cares about mock drafts?!”