While Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram and other top picks passed on the chance to show off their skills in front of top executives at the NBA combine over the past two days, fringe first rounders, projected second round picks, and future undrafted prospects took the spotlight and shined.
The Nuggets interviewed at least two prospects throughout the past two days, including Seton Hall point guard, Isaiah Whitehead and Oakland point guard Kay Felder.
Whitehead has met here with San Antonio, GSW, Denver, NY, Memphis, Philly, Boston, Denver. Said shaking Allan Houston's hand was a thrill.
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) May 12, 2016
#OaklandU PG Kay Felder say he hasn't met with #Pistons but has talked with #Celtics, #Nets, #Magic, #Jazz, #Nuggets and #Suns.
— Rod Beard (@ajcRodBeard) May 12, 2016
Whitehead, a 6-foot-4 sophomore out of Seton Hall, averaged 18.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Pirates this past season, and shot 36.5 percent from 3-point range. The point guard’s draft range is anywhere from the late first round to mid-second.
Felder, who’s been the most talked about prospect through two days of the combine, stands at just 5-foot-8 but recorded an incredible 44-inch vertical leap, the highest at this year’s combine and second-highest all time. Last year, Pat Connaughton also posted a 44-inch vertical, but the record still belongs to Kenny Gregory, who jumped 45.5 inches back in 2001. Felder can sneak his way into the second round with a good showing this weekend and in team workouts.
ICYMI
5'8" Kay Felder had a 44" max vertical (unofficially tied for 2nd in combine history) 📶 😳#NBACombine Vine https://t.co/Xjw5xrIAyG
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) May 13, 2016
Per Daniel Allar, the Nuggets are also interested in speaking with University of Evansville center and Lithuanian native Egidijus Mockevicius. The 6-foot-10, 23-year-old big man averaged 15.7 points and an NCAA-leading 14 rebounds last year for the Purple Aces and won five gold medals during his time with the Lithuanian national team.
Felder, Robert Carter, Georges Niang, Cheick Diallo, Gary Payton II, Joel Bolomboy, DeAndre Bembry, Pascal Siakam, Malcolm Brogdon, Chinanu Onuaku, Ben Bentil. Michael Gbinije, and Isaiah Miles are some names that have all impressed Draft Express’ Jonathon Givony throughout the week.
The Vertical’s Mike Schmitz was excited about Bembry as well and pointed out that Brogdon is in his eyes the “best pure basketball player participating in 5-on-5.” Schmitz also named Onuaku Jaron Blossomgame and Patrick McCaw as players who impressed him and discussed Kentucky big man Skal Labissiere, who had “one of the most impressive workouts DraftExpress has seen in the past few years” earlier this week. Schmitz projects Labissiere, who was once in consideration for the No. 1 pick, to rise as the draft draws closer. CBSSports.com’s Sam Vecenie also mentioned Bembrey as someone who’s excelled so far.
Kay Felder has been the story thus far through two days at the combine. Credit: Byron Hetzler, USA TODAY Sports
