The early consensus at this week’s NBA Draft Combine is that four prospects — AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson — have separated themselves, but executives stopped short of naming a unanimous No. 1 pick, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic.
Multiple team officials told Hollinger that Dybantsa, who spent last season at BYU, is the current favorite to be taken first overall in next month’s draft. Still, none of the executives characterized that outcome as certain, with several comparing the fluid race to 2017, when Boston slid from No. 1 to No. 3 and selected Jayson Tatum while Philadelphia took Markelle Fultz first and the Lakers chose Lonzo Ball second.
The uncertainty has heightened speculation around the Utah Jazz, who own the No. 2 pick. Jazz governor Ryan Smith reportedly spent millions to help lure Dybantsa to his alma mater, and Utah recently contacted Washington about moving up to the top spot, Hollinger noted.
Combine standouts
Houston guard Kingston Flemings posted modest measurements but excelled in athletic drills, earning praise from college teammate Emanuel Sharp. “He’s very humble… a better person than he is player,” Sharp said, adding that any franchise landing Flemings is “getting a star.”
Baylor wing Cameron Carr emerged as one of the week’s biggest winners, per Hollinger and Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports. The 6’4.5″ guard registered a 7’0.75″ wingspan, a 43-inch max vertical and the fastest pro lane agility time before dominating the first scrimmage. “I feel like I’ve been overlooked,” Carr said. “I can just step on the court and give y’all my best, and that’s what I did today.”
Other players spotlighted by Hollinger and/or O’Connor as combine risers include Trevon Brazile (Arkansas), Morez Johnson (Michigan), JaKobi Gillespie (Tennessee), Baba Miller (Cincinnati), Luigi Suigo (Italy) and Aaron Nkrumah (Tennessee State).
Source: Hoops Rumors
