Carr’s big night headlines first day of scrimmages at 2026 NBA Draft Combine
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Chicago, May 13, 2026 — The NBA Draft Combine shifted from measurements to competition on Wednesday as the first of two 5-on-5 scrimmage sessions unfolded at Wintrust Arena.
Top-30 talent embraces the floor
Only two players ranked inside ESPN’s current top 30 suited up. Baylor wing Cameron Carr seized the spotlight, pouring in 30 points on 6-for-12 three-point shooting. The 6-4½ guard, who owns a plus-8¼-inch wingspan and posted a 42½-inch max vertical earlier in the week, scored 19 before halftime and strengthened his case as a potential late-lottery pick.
Ohio State’s Dailyn Swain, the other top-30 prospect in action, also participated, though his line was overshadowed by Carr’s outburst.
Other scrimmage standouts
Matt Able (North Carolina) finished with 15 points in fewer than 20 minutes, hitting 3-of-5 from deep. The 18-year-old freshman, projected No. 39 before the combine, said he remains “back and forth” on staying in the draft.
Baba Miller (Cincinnati) showed perimeter versatility at 6-11, totaling 20 points and six rebounds while knocking down two triples.
Jaden Bradley (Arizona) added 10 points, five boards and seven assists, again displaying the poise that earned him Big 12 Player of the Year honors.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie (Tennessee) erupted for 24 first-half points, blending deep shooting with drives despite measuring under 6-0.
Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State) recorded 17 points and five assists, flashing the playmaking that could anchor an NBA second unit.
Decisions on returning to school
Several prospects clarified their draft intentions during media availability:
Staying in draft: guard Ebuka Okorie (Stanford), center Henri Veesaar (North Carolina) and guard Isaiah Evans (Duke) each confirmed they are fully committed to turning pro.
Still weighing options: Michigan power forward Morez Johnson Jr., Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic and Santa Clara forward Allen Graves said they could return to college if draft guarantees do not materialize.
Early-week measurement notes
The combine opened Monday with testing that produced eye-catching numbers from three projected top-four picks who will not participate in scrimmages:
- AJ Dybantsa: 6-8½ without shoes, 7-0½ wingspan, 42.0-inch max vertical.
- Darryn Peterson: 6-4½ height, 6-9¾ wingspan, 37.5-inch max vertical.
- Cameron Boozer: 6-8¼ height, 7-1½ wingspan, 35.0-inch max vertical.
Other winners from drills included UConn forward Alex Karaban, who led multiple shooting exercises; Baylor’s Carr, whose athletic testing matched his in-season production; Michigan’s Johnson, whose 7-3½ wingspan drew notice; and Houston center Chris Cenac Jr., who measured a 7-5 wingspan and 9-0½ standing reach.
Quiet on potential top-pick trade
League chatter in Chicago touched on whether the Utah Jazz, owners of the No. 2 pick, might seek to move up, but team executives characterized any such scenario as premature. Evaluators see a tightly bunched top four — Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer and forward Caleb Wilson — reducing the incentive to trade.
The combine continues Thursday with a second day of scrimmages as fringe first-rounders attempt to solidify their positions ahead of the May 27 withdrawal deadline.
Source: ESPN
