2025 NBA Draft Combine Recap
Evaluating and projecting the scrimmage performances of the five African prospects in the NBA Draft Combine
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.
This year, the G League opted not to make film for their camp available, so we will only analyze performances from players of African backgrounds during the main event. As with every year, the Combine’s coverage only showed so much of actual gameplay so we evaluated the footage we could actually observe.
NBA DRAFT COMBINE
Khaman Maluach 🇸🇸 | C
Pre-draft team:
Duke
Combine measures:
Height w/o shoes: 7'0.75''
Weight: 252.8 lbs
Wingspan: 7'6.75''
Standing reach: 9’6”
Combine testing:
Max vert: 30''
Standing vert: 24”
Lane agility: 12.05s
Total shooting percentage (drills): 42.8%
Scrimmage stats:
N/A
NBA comparison:
Brook Lopez
Draft range:
Top 5 - Lottery
Scrimmage Observations
N/A
Projection
Already regarded as a top-10 prospect, Maluach didn’t have much to gain from fully participating in the full Combine. He participated in testing, but naturally opted out of the scrimmage portions of the combine. Coming off a season where he was exclusively a rim runner, Maluach has shown the ability to diversify his offense before college and during workouts, leading to a wide range of potential outcomes for him as a high-risk, high-reward prospect.
Adou Thiero 🇲🇱 | F
Pre-draft team:
Arkansas
Combine measures:
Height w/o shoes: 6'6.25''
Weight: 218.4 lbs
Wingspan: 7'0''
Standing reach: 8’8.5”
Combine testing:
N/A
Scrimmage stats:
N/A
NBA comparison:
OG Anunoby
Draft range:
Lottery - First Round
Scrimmage Observations
N/A
Projection
Since he is already regarded as one of the best athletes in this class, Thiero opted not to participate in any athletic testing or scrimmages. He helped himself at the Combine simply by measuring well. He showed physical growth and outlier tools in terms of his wingspan in relation to his height. Teams drafting in the first round will be all over Thiero because of what he can bring to their perimeter defense, but if his shot comes around, he has a chance to be a very solid role player in the NBA.
Mackenzie Mgbako 🇳🇬 | F
Pre-draft team:
Indiana/Texas A&M
Combine measures:
Height w/o shoes: 6'7.5''
Weight: 216.4 lbs
Wingspan: 6'10.25''
Standing reach: 8’7”
Combine testing:
Max vert: 33''
Standing vert: 27.5”
Lane agility: 11.99s
Total shooting percentage (drills): 61.1%
Scrimmage stats:
15.5 PPG, 8 RPG, 0.5 APG, 1 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 1.5 TPG, 41% FG, 46% 3PT, 88% FT
NBA comparison:
Jeff Green
Draft range:
2nd - UDFA
Scrimmage Observations
After a stellar G League Elite Camp where Mgbako shot a high volume of shots from deep and connected efficiently, he got called up to the NBA Draft Combine. Once there, he continued showing his perimeter prowess, connecting efficiently once again, but on fewer attempts. Other than shot selection, he played fairly conservatively, not showing any advanced reads but doing what was necessary to keep the team’s offense moving. Mgbako also rebounded well and had better than usual defensive numbers.
Projection
With Mbako’s measurements and ability to slide between both forwards spots, teams could be enticed to consider him for a two-way contract come June. He showed he can be relied upon as a floor spacer, but doesn’t offer much outside of play finishing to this point. Despite great shooting during the week of the Combine, expanding his game at Texas A&M may be the best option to maximize his lifetime earnings and NBA potential.
Otega Oweh 🇳🇬 | SG
Pre-draft team:
Kentucky
Combine measures:
Height w/o shoes: 6' 4.25''
Weight: 212.6 lbs
Wingspan: 6'8.5''
Standing reach: 8’5.5”
Combine testing:
Max vert: 35''
Standing vert: 27.5”
Lane agility: 10.92s
Total shooting percentage (drills): 54.9%
Scrimmage stats:
12 PPG, 4 RPG, 2 APG, 2 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 1 TPG, 50% FG, 100% 3PT, 88% FT
NBA comparison:
Josh Hart
Draft range:
Late 2nd - UDFA
Scrimmage Observations
Oweh impressed, quickly settling into an ancillary role, but making good reads on and off the ball. He attacked appropriately and also found teammates in good spots without forcing anything. Oweh was also a playmaker on defense, flying all over the court to steal the ball off the pass and dribble to start the transition game. He thrived on a court with more space, but barely shot any three pointers. The only one he attempted did go in, and he took what the defense gave him.
Projection
Oweh definitely made his impending decision harder with his good play. He could have more to lose by going back to school, but shooting is still a significant question so it would not be surprising. Inversely, a team with a two-way to offer would be ecstatic to have a player with his IQ and skill set aboard. Regardless of how he gets to the league, Oweh has the tools to stick.
John Tonje 🇨🇲 | SG
Pre-draft team:
Wisconsin
Combine measures:
6'4.75'' Height w/o Shoes
Weight: 211.8 lbs
Wingspan: 6'9''
Standing reach: 8’6.5”
Combine testing:
Max vert: 37''
Standing vert: 30”
Lane agility: 11.14s
Total shooting percentage (drills): 72.4%
Scrimmage stats:
10 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 1.5 TPG, 45% FG, 20% 3PT
NBA comparison:
AJ Green
Draft range:
Late 2nd - UDFA
Scrimmage Observations
Tonje shot very well in drills and tried to parlay that into scrimmage play, but the threes weren’t falling for him. By his second scrimmage, he seemed determined to affect the game in ways other than just shooting as he attacked the basket, especially as the young Neoklis Avdalas was matched up with him. He also made an effort to find teammates and show off a more well-rounded game.
Projection
After the star-studded season he showed at Wisconsin, Tonje’s offensive ability was never in question. He was unquestionably one of the top shooters in the nation and attacked close outs effectively. The questions for Tonje lie on the other end of the floor, where it remains to be seen if he will be able to defend against guards as opposed to wings full time. He is the type of player who could find a way to stick in the league, even if he ends up going undrafted due to his age.
Great piece! I love how you guys shine light on the African prospects.