Prospects OKC Thunder fans should pay attention to at upcoming NBA combine

The OKC Thunder front office will be busy at next weeks NBA Combine deciding what to do with the 21st overall pick. Here are some names to watch next week.

The NBA invited 65 players to next weeks NBA Combine in Chicago. The OKC Thunder will have an even busier time than last years combine as they hold the 21st overall pick.

Here is the full list of players invited to next weeks combine where they will be measured officially by the NBA, run through a plethora of drills, and close the week with a few scrimmages.

The three day event will help teams define who they should focus on (although scouting will have clarified already). Also of note, the combine has historically been an event where players can take a leap up team’s lists. For example, the performances of Kevin Huerter and Donte DiVincenzo likely moved up in the draft selection based on their performances at the Combine. Additionally, teams utilize this time to conduct one on one interviews with prospects which is a key tool in the selection process as it helps determine the player’s character.

As per the NBA.com official site:

"The NBA Draft Combine is the first step in the Draft process for NBA hopefuls and features five-on-five games as well as shooting and strength and agility drills at Quest Multisport in Chicago on Thursday, May 16 and Friday, May 17.  ESPN 2 will provide coverage both days from 3-7 p.m. ET.A select number of draft-eligible players will be invited to participate in the 2019 NBA Draft Combine based on their performance in the NBA G League Elite Camp, which will take place May 12-14 at Quest Multisport."

Key Invitees:

Multiple invitees from:

From Duke:

• Zion Williamson
• R.J. Barret
• Cam Reddish

From Kansas:

• Devon Dotson
• Dedric Lawson
• Quentin Grimes

From Kentucky:

• Tyler Herro
• Keldon Johnson

From Virginia:

• Kyle Guy
• Ty Jerome
• De’Andre Hunter

From Michigan:

• Ignas Brazdeikis
• Charles Matthews
• Jordan Poole

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

From UCLA:

• Moses Brown
• Kris Wilkes
• Jaylen Hands]

From Gonzaga:

• Brandon Clarke
• Zach Norvell Jr.
• Killian Tillie

From UNC:

• Cameron Johnson
• Nassir Little
• Cody White

From Tennessee:

• Jordan Bone
• Grant Williams
• Admiral Schofield

Other key invitees:

• Ja Mourant (Murray State)
• Carsen Edwards (Purdue)
• Jarrett Culver (Texas Tech)
• Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Virginia Tech),
• Charles Bassey (Western Kentucky),
• Darius Bazley (Princeton HS, Ohio),
• Bol Bol (Oregon), Louis King (Oregon),
• Brian Bowen (Sydney Kings, Australia),
• Ky Bowman (Boston College),
• Nicolas Claxton (Georgia).

3 Players to watch for:

Bol Bol: The Stretch big from Oregon was hurt early into the season and was sidelined following the Ducks start of the season tournament.  Bol could be just what the OKC Thunder need if he clears all the medical red flags.

Admiral Schofield: The forward from Tennessee University was worked out by the OKC Thunder last offseason before returning to school for his senior season. While pick 21 is likely too high for Schofield, and the OKC Thunder do not hold a second round pick as of now, as we saw last year with Hamidou Diallo second round picks are easily acquired and Sam Presti seems to like Schofield.

Dedric Lawson: Another stretch the floor big man with a good offensive game could create spacing and another shooting threat for the OKC Thunder. Lawson was one of the lone bright spots of the Kansas Jayhawks this past season and could fall around the 21-30 range in this year’s draft, so if Presti and company think he is their guy, pick 21 would not be that big of a reach.

The NBA Combine will start on Tuesday, May 14th.