2025 NBA Draft Combine: Measurement & Athletic Testing Winners and Losers
2025 NBA Draft Combine PIT and G League Elite Measurement & Athleticism Testing
While most projected first-rounders opted out of scrimmage play, the 2025 NBA Draft Combine still offered tremendous value through interviews, team meetings, and, most notably, measurement and athletic testing. Several prospects saw their draft stock shift based on how they stacked up physically—some standing out for elite length, bounce, or frame, while others had key concerns magnified. Here are some of the biggest winners and losers from the week in Chicago.
Winners
Drake Powell, North Carolina Fr.
Delivered the most impressive athletic testing performance of the week. He led the entire Combine in both no-step vertical (37.5”) and max vertical (43.0”), while measuring 6’5.25” barefoot with a 7’0” wingspan, a 10” hand width, and an excellent 8’8” standing reach—outstanding for his height and well above average for a wing. That rare blend of vertical explosiveness and elite length solidifies him as a high-level two-way prospect. Already praised for his defensive versatility, intangibles, and motor, Powell’s tools offer a clear translation to guarding multiple positions and impacting the game above the rim. The numbers only reinforced what scouts saw during the season—he’s a premium athlete with real NBA wing intrigue.
Cedric Coward, Washington St. Jr.
Measured 6’5.25” barefoot with a staggering 7’2.25” wingspan and 8’10” standing reach. His +9 inch ape index ranked among the highest at the event, and he backed it up with a 32.5” no-step and 38.5” max vertical. Physically, Coward checks every box as a long, bouncy wing. However, he played just six games this past season, and his choice to sit out scrimmages raised some quiet eyebrows—fueling tongue-in-cheek remarks about his surname and perceived hesitation. But apparently when you interview this well and measure even better, who needs to play? His articulate, thoughtful media sessions combined with elite physical tools and shooting left a strong impression about his potential.
Tamar Bates, Missouri Sr.
Impressed with a +6.5” wingspan differential (6’10.25” wingspan at 6’3.75” barefoot) and a 9.75” hand length—the same size as 7-footer Khaman Maluach. Those numbers reflect big-guard measurables. Combined with his fluidity and solid frame, Bates looked the part of a potential two-way NBA contributor—even if his current offensive role has been modest. He built momentum as the week progressed, turning in a very strong second day and delivering the dunk of the camp, rising up and flushing over a big in traffic—an emphatic exclamation point on an impressive all-around Combine showing.
Carter Bryant, Arizona Fr.
Helped himself by posting a 39.5” max vertical and a 30.5” no-step at 6’6.5” barefoot. His 6’11.75” wingspan and large 9.5” hands further elevate his profile. Few wings at the Combine brought his blend of size, leaping ability, and length.
Rasheer Fleming, St. Joseph’s Jr.
Fleming stood out as one of the biggest physical winners at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. Measuring 6’8.25″ barefoot and confirming a massive 7’5.25″ wingspan and 9’1″ standing reach, he displayed elite length to go along with a strong 232-pound frame. His quickness also showed up in testing, where he excelled in the agility drills—an impressive blend of size and mobility. Add in a solid 27.0″ no-step and 32.5″ max vertical, and Fleming showcased the kind of tools that can translate to versatile, switchable defense and rebounding and rim running dominance at the next level.
Sion James, Duke Sr.
Quietly had one of the most explosive vertical performances—32.0” no-step and 39.5” max—while measuring 6’4.5” barefoot with a 217.6-pound frame, 8’4” standing reach, and +2” wingspan. He also recorded the fastest three-quarter court sprint at the Combine (2.97 seconds), showing surprising top-end speed for his size. He’s a physically imposing wing who plays above the rim, defends with force, and continues to boost his case as a strong two-way contributor.
Chaz Lanier, Tennessee Sr.
Tested better than expected with a 39.0” max vertical and a +5.25” wingspan differential (6’9” wingspan at 6’3.75”). That level of bounce paired with his shooting enhances his standing in late first- to early second-round conversations.
Khaman Maluach, Duke Fr.
Makes the winner list for sheer physical intrigue. At 7’0.75” barefoot with a 7’6.75” wingspan, 9’6” standing reach, and 10.25” hand width, his measurables were elite. Though his 30.0” max vertical was just average, he remains projected as a lottery pick in most media mock drafts—highlighting how strongly the hype around his size and long-term potential continues to influence public boards, even amid questions about polish and feel. However, his three-quarter sprint time of 3.50 seconds ranked as the fourth-slowest at the Combine, adding to concerns about his foot speed and fluidity in transition.
Javon Small, Oklahoma St. Sr.
Measured 6’1” barefoot with a 6’4.75” wingspan and 8’0” standing reach, then turned heads by posting a 33.0” no-step and 40.5” max vertical—the third-best max vertical of the entire Combine. He paired that athleticism with strong showings in scrimmage play, where he showcased vision, poise, and sharp passing reads. Though slightly undersized, his decent length for a lead guard and explosive leaping ability helped boost his profile. After a full week of productive testing and competitive play, Small’s odds of hearing his name on draft night have meaningfully improved.
Note:
Three wings—Alijah Martin, Florida Sr. (6’1.5” barefoot), Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois Fr. (6’4.75” barefoot), and Liam McNeeley, UConn Fr. (6’6.75” barefoot)—each posted a standing reach of 8’3.5”, highlighting how wingspan and frame can effectively neutralize height gaps. Despite being separated by over five inches in raw height, all three measured identically in standing reach, showcasing how height and standing reach can vary significantly across prospects.
Losers
Derik Queen, Maryland Fr.
Measured 6’9.25” barefoot with a 7’0.5” wingspan, but posted a 23.5” no-step and 28.0” max vertical. He also recorded the slowest lane agility time of the Combine at 12.45 seconds and the second-slowest three-quarter sprint at 3.52 seconds, underscoring major concerns about his lateral quickness and mobility. Queen’s offensive skill level and feel remain appealing, but the athletic testing painted a worrying picture regarding his ability to defend or move in space at the NBA level.
Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga Jr.
May have helped himself in scrimmages, but the measurements were less favorable. At just 5’11” barefoot with a 7’10” standing reach, he was among the smallest at the event. Still, his 9.5” hand length stood out for his size. While he’s proven to be efficient and composed, his defensive ceiling and ability to finish inside remain in question against NBA length.
Koby Brea, Kentucky Sr.
Measured 6’5.75” barefoot with a 6’5.25” wingspan and an 8’5” standing reach. While his wingspan was one of the few negative differentials at the Combine, Brea actually performed better than expected in other areas. His 34.0” max vertical was respectable, and his height and frame held up well among wings. Still, without plus length or standout athleticism, he’ll need to continue proving he can shoot at an elite level to carve out a role at the next level.
Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina So.
Measured just 6’6.5” barefoot—undersized for a frontcourt player—but offset that with a strong 8’10” standing reach, a 7’0.75” wingspan, and a sturdy 239.2-pound frame. He posted a 29.5” no-step vertical and 34.5” max vertical, showing solid functional athleticism. While he’s been mentioned in some circles as a possible lottery-level talent, his perimeter shooting remains the primary concern—his college shooting splits were inconsistent, and his performance in Combine drills didn’t ease doubts about his ability to become an efficient jump shooter. Without reliable floor-spacing ability, questions persist about his offensive fit at the NBA level despite his physical strength and scoring ability.
Danny Wolf, Michigan Jr.
Measured 6’10.5” barefoot with a solid 7’2.25” wingspan and 9’1” standing reach—excellent size for a center. However, his vertical testing was disappointing: 24.0” no-step and 30.0” max vertical. He also posted the third-slowest three-quarter sprint time (3.51 seconds) among all participants, compounding concerns about his ability to rebound in traffic or make plays around the rim against NBA-level athletes.
Alex Toohey, Australia (INTL)
Measured 6’7.75” barefoot with a 6’10.75” wingspan and a solid 8’8.5” standing reach, but his vertical numbers were underwhelming—just 26.5” no-step and 31.5” max. Toohey offers intrigue as a potential stretch-four with size and a smooth shooting stroke, but questions persist about his lateral mobility, defensive foot speed, and overall athletic ceiling. While his frame and feel remain intriguing, the limited explosiveness could cap his versatility, especially if he struggles to stay in front of quicker forwards or defend in space at the NBA level.
