David Becker/Getty Images
On Friday, the NBA revealed the list of 78 players that have received an invite to participate in the 2024 draft combine.
Notable prospects included UConn center Donovan Clingan and French center Alexandre Sarr, with the latter declaring for the draft on April 12.
Bronny James was also invited to the combine following his freshman season at USC. The son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James chose to enter the draft while maintaining his college eligibility on April 5.
Bronny being invited to the combine is “the first step required to begin the process of getting cleared to play in the NBA following his cardiac arrest episode in July and subsequent procedure to treat a congenital heart defect that sidelined him for five months,” according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.
Bronny also needs to be approved by the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel before being eligible to take part in team workouts, compete in drills or scrimmages at the combine.
NBA Communications @NBAPR
The NBA announced today that 78 players have been invited to the 2024 NBA Draft Combine, which will take place from May 12-19 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.<br><br>Additionally, a select number of standout players from the 2024 NBA G League Elite Camp, which… <a href=”https://t.co/M8FUY529ul”>pic.twitter.com/M8FUY529ul</a>
While 78 players are invited, only certain teams are permitted to access combine medical and functional movement information. Shams Charania of The Athletic noted that prospects have been ranked to determine the draft range in which a team can access their information.
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
NBA released a 78-player list for the 2024 Draft Combine in Chicago this month. Teams vote on participants, which include Bronny James. <br><br>New “Top 10 Players” ranked for which teams are able to access Combine information: <a href=”https://t.co/AoRpaSnCFw”>pic.twitter.com/AoRpaSnCFw</a>
Sarr is ranked No. 1, as he’s one of the top candidates to be selected with the No. 1 overall pick. Only teams that own one of the first 10 choices will be permitted to access his medical information.
In Bleacher Report’s latest NBA mock draft, Sarr was taken with the No. 1 pick. B/R’s Jonathan Wasserman was impressed with the center’s two-way potential.
“While the main draw to the 7’1″ Frenchman revolves around his switchable defense and shot-blocking, the ability to handle in the open floor, shoot with range and knock down pull-ups and fallaways separates him from other rim protectors,” Wasserman wrote.
Clingan should hear his name called early on June 27 as well, with the 20-year-old operating as the Huskies’ defensive anchor during their March Madness run that ended with a second consecutive championship.
He averaged 13.0 points and 7.4 rebounds while his 2.5 blocks per game represented the second-highest average in the Big East.
James struggled with inconsistency throughout his first season with the Trojans, averaging 4.8 points in 19.3 minutes each night while shooting 36.6 percent from the field and 26.7 percent on threes.
However, he could wind up impressing teams with his athleticism at the combine and earn a shot at potentially making an NBA roster.
More Stories
NBA Draft Combine 2024 winners and losers: Bronny James performs under pressure; Zach Edey is bigger, but slow
College basketball rankings: Cincinnati lands Texas’ Dillon Mitchell from transfer portal, joins Top 25 And 1
College basketball rankings: Cincinnati lands Texas’ Dillon Mitchell from transfer portal, joins Top 25 And 1
Report: Radio Host Doug Gottlieb to Be Hired For Green Bay MCBB HC Opening | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
2024 NBA Draft Combine: Reed Sheppard, Zach Edey among biggest stock-risers
Zach Edey Talks NBA Role: I’m Built to Be in the Paint, Not Going to Be Kevin Durant | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors