For all of those who left with positive feedback, there were plenty of NBA Combine losers that might have left the combine regretting signing with an agent, or calling their college coaches immediately to make sure there’s still room for them in school. Either way, here are our NBA Combine losers.
Daniel Hamilton, UConn, SF
No one struggled more than Hamilton, who couldn’t find a way to make any real positive impacts in the scrimmage portions of the combine. He’s always struggled to get by defenders, forcing bad shots maybe more than anyone else in college basketball. He’s not strong enough on the defensive end, though he’s certainly capable, to make up for those issues. Hamilton, who has already hired an agent, looks destined for Europe right away, unless someone in the late-second round decides to take a flyer on him.
Melo Trimble, Maryland, PG
A disappointing sophomore campaign carried over into a disappointing NBA Combine for the Terps’ point guard. Not only did his measurements reassure teams that he’s completely average physically, but he couldn’t find his shot, playmaking ability, or moxy in scrimmages. For Trimble, the only logical choice at this stage would be to return to College Park and have a bounce back junior season while leading Mark Turgeon’s squad.
Nigel Hayes, Wisconsin SF
Right now, Hayes still has his measurements going for him, but a difficult junior season (and the reasons for it) flashed its ugly head in front of NBA personnel once again. His shot wasn’t falling in scrimmages and he still doesn’t have much ability while driving to the rim. Until he can round out those parts of his game, he remains a difficult case to make for an NBA team drafting in the first round, and most of the second round as well.
Marcus Lee, Kentucky, C
This is disappointing, because it’s hard to find a better young man in the world of college basketball. Still, it must be said that Lee hasn’t improved his game in the least since he arrived on the college basketball scene. Now, as an upperclassman, he’s in the difficult situation of being completely recruited over at Kentucky and not being nearly good enough for the NBA.
