Notable combine performances from potential Hornets targets – At The Hive

The NBA converged on Chicago for a busy draft related weekend. The G League combine was held over the weekend leading up to the draft lottery on Sunday afternoon. That was immediately followed by the NBA Combine at the beginning of this week. The NBA implemented new rules and conditions for the combine this year to ensure that even the top prospects measured and went through athletic testing. That means we have some data on potential lottery picks and targets for the Charlotte Hornets that we wouldn’t have gotten in previous years.

Alexandre Sarr

Height: 6’11.75″
Wingspan: 7’4.25″
Standing reach: 9’2″
Weight: 224 pounds
Standing vertical: 30.5″
Max vertical: 37.5″

Sarr is widely considered to go before the Hornets selection at 6th overall, and nothing about his testing changed that. He had some of the better athletic testing numbers among centers to go with his massive wingspan and standing reach.

Donovan Clingan

Height: 7’1.75″
Wingspan: 7’6.75″
Standing reach: 9’7″
Weight: 282 pounds
Standing vertical: 25.5″
Max vertical: 29″

Clingan is becoming a more popular mock to Charlotte despite the Hornets drafting a similar-ish prospect in Mark Williams a couple of years ago. Clingan measured out with the same standing reach as Zach Edey (despite both being shorter and having shorter arms somehow). He was among the slowest players at the combine in the running drills, but teams probably won’t be too concerned about that considering his defensive production at UConn.

Stephon Castle

Height: 6’5.5″
Wingspan: 6’9″
Standing reach: 8’6″
Weight: 210 pounds
Standing vertical: 28.5″
Max vertical: 37″

Castle turned in ideal measurements for the defense-oriented combo guard he’s projected to be. Apparently he shot well in drills, which is a big test for him considering how poorly he shot from three during his lone college season.

Reed Sheppard

Height: 6’1.75″
Wingspan: 6’3.25″
Standing reach: 7’9.5″
Weight: 182 pounds
Standing vertical: 32.5″
Max vertical: 42″

Sheppard’s measurements are all over the board. He tied for the highest max vertical and seventh highest no step vertical at the event. He also had the shortest hands and second lowest standing reach. Part of his appeal is his defensive play making, but teams will surely question how transferable that is given how small he is.

Rob Dillingham

Height: 6’1″
Wingspan: 6’3″
Standing reach: 7’11”
Weight: 164 pounds
Standing vertical: DNP
Max vertical: DNP

Dillingham sprained an ankle in training a couple of weeks ago and was unable to participate in the athletic testing. His size measurements were underwhelming to say the least. He came in as the lightest and fifth shortest player in Chicago. That’ll be a lot to overcome if he’s going to be a big time scorer in the NBA like he was in college.

Ron Holland

Height: 6’6.5″
Wingspan: 6’10.75″
Standing reach: 8’8″
Weight: 197 pounds
Standing vertical: 30″
Max vertical: 38″

Holland measured a little shorter than the 6’8″ he’s typically been listed at, but he has a decent wingspan to make up for it. He didn’t shoot that well in drills, which is a red flag considering how bad of a shooter he was in the G League. He’s always been projected as a defensive minded slasher, but he at least needs to be a respectable shooter to be a key piece on a competitive team.

Matas Buzelis

Height: 6’8.75″
Wingspan: 6’10”
Standing reach: 8’9.5″
Weight: 197 pounds
Standing vertical: 31″
Max vertical: 38″

Buzelis measured really athletically, including some above average times in the sprint and shuttles. He’s thin at 197 pounds, but that’s not a terrible starting point for him.

Dalton Knecht

Height: 6’5.25″
Wingspan: 6’9″
Standing reach: 8’7.5″
Weight: 212 pounds
Standing vertical: 31″
Max vertical: 39″

If there was a winner of the combine, it might have been Knecht. On top of having good vertical leap numbers, Knecht had the fastest shuttle run time and second fastest lane agility time. It’s a little surprising considering how bad of a defender he was as a fifth year senior in college. Still, teams are going to see those numbers and think that he might have more in the tank on that end than he showed in college.