For every player that impressed NBA scouts at the NBA Draft Combine with their measureables, there were those who disappointed, coming in shorter or heavier than expected.
Here are five prospects who hurt themselves on Day One of the NBA Draft Combine:
Dakari Johnson, Center, Kentucky: When the entire country scoffs at your decision to enter the NBA Draft, mostly noting your lack of explosion, wouldn’t you want to show up to the combine in the best shape of your life, hoping to show scouts and everyone else that you’re serious about your professional dreams? Well, rather than take that approach, Johnson showed up with the highest body fat, at 14.9%, of anyone there. Not exactly the first day he was needing.
Chasson Randle, Point Guard, Stanford: Randle was far from a pure point guard in college, being let loose by coach Johnny Dawkins to play hero ball at every opportunity. At just 6’1.5″ at the combine, Randle looks like a guy who could legitimately slip from the mid-second to out of the draft entirely. He’s not an explosive athlete either, so Randle is really a shooting guard stuck in a small point guard’s body.
Michael Qualls, Shooting Guard, Arkansas: Another guy who people questioned leaving college. Qualls measured in at just 6’5 in shoes, something that wasn’t entirely surprising, but certainly reinforced the idea that Qualls is a power forward playing at a shooting guard’s height. His ridiculous athleticism helps his cause, but who can he guard at the NBA level at his size?
Stanley Johnson, Small Forward, Arizona: Who else was expecting, or hoping, that Johnson would measure in at nearly 6’8 with shoes? Instead, he comes in at just 6’6.5″ with shoes, which makes him much more of a shooting guard without the shot than the bruising small forward he was able to be in college.
Cliff Alexander, Power Forward, Kansas: Rumors about Alexander’s real size picked up early on during his freshman season, but 6’8.5″ with shoes isn’t enough to overcome his serious lack of skill. Sure, the wingspan is ridiculous, but being under 6’9 is going to hurt him.
