NBA Draft Combine Recap
Evaluating and projecting the scrimmage performances of the 14 African prospects in the NBA Draft Combine and G League Elite Camp
Every year ahead of the NBA Draft, hopefuls gather in Chicago for the Combine, where they are tested physically and athletically, play in scrimmages against one another and participate in a rigorous interview process. As of the last three years, the NBA introduced a precursor to the Combine for fringe players called G League Elite Camp. A handful of top performers from that camp are selected to join the crop of prospects in the Combine.
For our purposes, we’ll be analyzing what we saw from African players at both the G League Elite Camp and the NBA Draft Combine. It should be noted that none of the African G League Elite Campers earned Combine invites but there was still plenty of value to draw from their performances there. As for the Combine, the coverage only showed so much of actual gameplay so we observed what we could.
NBA DRAFT COMBINE
Michael Ajayi 🇳🇬 | SF
Pre-draft team:
Pepperdine/Gonzaga
Combine measures:
6' 5.75'' Height w/o Shoes
227.8 lbs
7' 0.75'' Wingspan
34.5'' Max Vertical
NBA comparison:
Saddiq Bey
Draft range:
2nd - UDFA
Scrimmage Observations
Ajayi played a solid overall game, getting to the rim, making long distance shots as well as off the dribble mid-range shots despite a slightly unconventional form. He was solid on the defensive end even if he did not create many events on that side of the court.
Projection
Ajayi showed some good flashes and could conceivably make a roster should he stay in the draft, however, he seems all but set on fulfilling his intention to transfer to Gonzaga and compete for a national championship. He has impressive measureables and showed enough on the court to put himself squarely into first round conversations next season barring any disasters.
Adem Bona 🇳🇬 | C
Pre-draft team:
UCLA
Combine measures:
6' 8.25'' Height w/o Shoes
243.2 lbs
7' 3.75'' Wingspan
40.0'' Max Vertical
NBA comparison:
Neemias Queta
Draft range:
Late 2nd - UDFA
Scrimmage Observations
Bona put his strength and athleticism on full display, doing what he’s shown to this point at a high level. As a roller, he finished strong and through contact while chasing down rejections on the other end. Bona showed some screen diversity as well, sometimes setting hard ones, other times slipping or flipping them quickly.
Projection
Bona helped himself during gameplay by playing his game and limiting mistakes. Teams know what they’ll get with Bona and he did not show anything new, so I expect his draft range to remain unchanged.
Ulrich Chomche 🇨🇲 | C
Pre-draft team:
NBA Academy Africa
Combine measures:
6' 10.25'' Height w/o Shoes
232.4 lbs
7' 4'' Wingspan
35.5'' Max Vertical
NBA comparison:
Walker Kessler
Draft range:
Late 1st - Early 2nd
Scrimmage Observations
Chomche may be considered a project offensively, but he is more advanced than many other prospects defensively. He pressured on the perimeter, contained ballhandlers in screening actions, knowing just how much time to hold in order to deter a shot while still getting back to his man. Chomche’s shooting formed looked improved once again, leaving his hands more smoothly, while he liberally took threes whenever he was left open (despite the low shooting percentage). His passing keeps improving too, as he seems to throw a flashy assist every game, flashing hub potential.
Projection
A mystery to many ahead of this, Chomche helped his case by emphasizing his defensive readiness and willingness to improve every aspect of his game. A team will likely take a swing on him mid to late first round.
N’Faly Dante 🇲🇱 | C
Pre-draft team:
Oregon
Combine measures:
6' 10'' Height w/o Shoes
260.2 lbs
7' 6'' Wingspan
33.0'' Max Vertical
NBA comparison:
Al Horford
Draft range:
Mid - Late 2nd
Scrimmage Observations
Dante looked slower and a bit more lost in this context than at Oregon. Without being consistently fed the ball, he tried to find other ways to impact gameplay. When he got opportunities, he scored in the post and in transition. Defensively, he was reacting a lot to what the offense was doing instead of dictating.
Projection
Despite the poor combine showing, I don’t see Dante slipping too far from his range. His collegiate production and big time measureables should be enough for a team to give him a chance by late in the second round.
Oso Ighodaro 🇳🇬 | C
Pre-draft team:
Marquette
Combine measures:
6' 9.50'' Height w/o Shoes
222.0 lbs
6' 11'' Wingspan
39.5'' Max Vertical
NBA comparison:
Isaiah Hartenstein
Draft range:
Early - Mid 2nd
Scrimmage Observations
Ighodaro looked light on his feet, rolling to the rim hard and catching lobs. He showed a lot of unselfish off-ball activity, setting screens for teammates, re-screening if necessary and generally making room for them. He occasionally brought the ball up and his passing popped as well, acting as a legitimate playmaker for his squad.
Projection
Ighodaro did a good job rehabbing his stock after a subpar NCAA tournament showing. A smart, plug-and-play big man, he should have few issues fitting right in. He may have solidified himself as an early second-rounder.
Jonathan Mogbo 🇳🇬 | PF
Pre-draft team:
San Francisco
Combine measures:
6' 6.25'' Height w/o Shoes
217.2 lbs
7' 2'' Wingspan
37.5'' Max Vertical
NBA comparison:
Draymond Green
Draft range:
Mid-1st - Early 2nd
Scrimmage Observations
Mogbo put on a smooth display of rebounding and facilitating through both days of the combine, solidifying the advanced stat excellence he showed at USF. He has a keen nose for the ball and the skill to bring it up and give it up early. His vision is real, finding guys in the halfcourt, transition, out of the post or from the perimeter. He doesn’t shoot from the perimeter but makes up for it by creating mismatches and driving them to the rim.
Projection
Mogbo helped himself immensely against greater competition than what he saw consistently in college. His advanced rebounding and assist numbers jumped off the page in school and he continued along that path at the combine. Don’t be surprised to see his stock rise even more as he could be picked late lottery to middle of the first round.
G LEAGUE ELITE CAMP
Adama Bal 🇲🇱 | SG
Pre-draft team:
Santa Clara
Combine measures:
6' 5.5'' Height w/o Shoes
197.2 lbs
6' 10'' Wingspan
Draft range:
Late 1st - 2nd
Scrimmage Observations
Bal was a microwave scorer, boasting a quick release, and an ability to make a transition opportunity out of nothing. He also rebounded very well throughout scrimmage days and facilitated for others on the second day.
Projection
Bal has already committed to returning to school in an effort to build his stock even more. He is aiming to become a surefire first rounder in next year’s NBA Draft.
Thierry Darlan 🇨🇫 | SG
Pre-draft team:
G League Ignite
Combine measures:
6' 6.25'' Height w/o Shoes
205.6 lbs
7' 2'' Wingspan
Draft range:
Late 2nd - UDFA
Scrimmage Observations
Darlan looked confident attacking within the flow of the offense. He played aggressive yet under control, knocking down catch-and-shoot opportunities, turnaround post jumpers and off the dribble pull-ups. His perimeter defense looks much improved as he sinks lower into a stance and contests everything.
Projection
Since the end of the Ignite season, Darlan has played a lot of official basketball, allowing him to showcase his individual skills instead of sacrificing for a team. His improved skill and comfort are noted and now he at least has a chance at becoming a second round pick. Look for Darlan to earn a two-way contract when the draft concludes.
Garwey Dual🇸🇸 | PG
Pre-draft team:
Providence
Combine measures:
6' 3.5'' Height w/o Shoes
185 lbs
7' 0'' Wingspan
Draft range:
Late 1st - Mid 2nd
Scrimmage Observations
Dual showed all of his positive traits in this context. He facilitated and made plays on both sides of the ball with heady passes, close-range jumpshots and crafty layups. He pressured opposing guards full court and used his quick hands to garner steals and deflections.
Projection
Depending on the feedback Dual receives, he could easily end up returning to school. However, he did play well enough for teams to consider him in the second round should he keep his name in the draft.
Tristan Enaruna 🇳🇬 | PF
Pre-draft team:
Cleveland State
Combine measures:
6' 8.25'' Height w/o Shoes
216.2 lbs
7' 1'' Wingspan
Draft range:
Late 2nd - UDFA
Scrimmage Observations
Enaruna found ways to impact the game in far less usage than what he was used to in college. He proved to be a solid energy guy and athletic play-finisher.
Projection
Enaruna’s resume and intangibles will get him to the league and have him stick, even if he isn’t able to become a draft pick this cycle. As an older prospect, teams will value the fact that he knows just what to do.
Arthur Kaluma 🇺🇬 | PF
Pre-draft team:
Kansas State
Combine measures:
6' 6.75'' Height w/o Shoes
221.4 lbs
7' 1'' Wingspan
Draft range:
Early - mid 2nd
Scrimmage Observations
Kaluma showed virtually no holes in his game attacking any way he could, distributing, crashing the glass and defending tenaciously.
Projection
In a toss-up draft like this one, there are a lot of players vying for the same spots. Kaluma may end up slipping through the cracks on draft night but it won’t be the end for him. We see him being able to choose his destination as a two-way contract signee.
Baye Ndongo 🇸🇳 | PF
Pre-draft team:
Georgia Tech
Combine measures:
6' 8.25'' Height w/o Shoes
226.2 lbs
7' 2.75'' Wingspan
Draft range:
Late 1st - Mid 2nd
Scrimmage Observations
Ndongo was two steals shy of recording a 5 x 5 in his very first outing. Defensive instincts ruled the weekend for him as he swatted any shot that was near him and got quite a few steals and deflections as well. Offensively, nothing looked smooth or expected, but when he found his spots, he knocked them down.
Projection
Ndongo is ready defensively but would absolutely be a project in the NBA. Going back to school would be wise, as he could refine his offensive skillset in time for the 2025 NBA draft.
Ugonna Onyenso 🇳🇬 | C
Pre-draft team:
Kentucky
Combine measures:
6' 10.75'' Height w/o Shoes
232.2 lbs
7'5'' Wingspan
Draft range:
Late 2nd - UDFA
Scrimmage Observations
Onyenso was more passive than expected, especially after announcing that he would forego remaining eligibility and go all-in on professional options. He boasted about an ability to shoot the ball that he did not show in this setting.
Projection
Onyenso has a lot of ground to make up in the pre-draft process. A good pro day and a summer league invitation could help change his fortunes, but he will likely end up on a two-way contract or definitively in the G League.
Babacar Sane 🇸🇳 | PF
Pre-draft team:
G League Ignite
Combine measures:
6'6.75'' Height w/o Shoes
232.2 lbs
7'2.5'' Wingspan
Draft range:
Late 2nd - UDFA
Scrimmage Observations
Athleticism always stood out for Sane and it continued to in this setting. Decision-making and defensive attention were the areas that needed the most improvement and there were a few good moments throughout the weekend. Sane’s dazzling dunks stole the show when he took over to end the second day of scrimmages.
Projection
Sane will likely battle for a two-way contract to prove he belongs in the league. Being able to think the game and change gears will be a large determinant for him.