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When it comes to numbers, none are more important than the ones players turn out at the NBA draft combine.
Although these statistics must be taken with a grain of salt, they help to create a cemented image of the potential that athletes possess as they enter the NBA and step up to a larger, more physical style of play. This combine gave the 2016 class a chance to display their physical abilities on a more even playing field.
Let's take a look at who stood out this year.
Wade Baldwin IV
Point Guard, Vanderbilt
Baldwin has been one who fell into the shadow of other guards like Kris Dunn and Demetrius Jackson, but he exploded on the scene in Chicago. He measured in at 6′ 4″ in shoes with a crazy 6′ 11 1/4″ wingspan, creating a vision of a much larger shooter guard despite his role at the point.
This is a player who averaged 14.1 points, 4 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game last year, notching 43 percent or more in shooting percentage from the floor in both of his seasons with Vandy and sinking 41 percent or better from behind the three point line. All of his stats add up to make a solid impression for the draft.
Although those numbers might not push Baldwin ahead of other point guards, they'll remind teams why he will be a good pick for them when it comes to the podium at the draft.
Cheick Diallo
Forward, Kansas
To be quite frank, Diallo was not impressive when he played with the Jayhawks last season. The former McDonald's All-American averaged a mere three points per game, yet he is still expected to go in the 25th place in the Mock Draft. Coming into the Combine, Diallo still wasn't certain about whether he would leave Kansas to sign with an agent.
But Chicago was a big moment for Diallo, as he came in at 6′ 9″ in height and 7′ 4.5″ in wingspan and made an impressive showing in scrimmages, scoring 18 points in one scrimmage alone. At the end of the Combine, Diallo signed with an agent and declared that he will enter the draft. After limited playing time at Kansas, Diallo made major moves, and he's one to watch as the Draft nears.
Zhou Qi
Article Continues Below
Forward, China
Quite simply, Qi is a giant. He came in at an overwhelming 7′ 2.5″ height and 7′ 7.75″ wingspan, with an added 9′ 4.5″ standing reach. The kid is colossal.
Zhou Qi, 20 years old (China), unofficially has largest wingspan (7'7.75") + standing reach (9'4.5") at '16 combine pic.twitter.com/lJHhEbvojz
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) May 11, 2016
But he's also only 218 pounds, drastically lighter than any team would want from a player of his height. Will this be a problem for Qi? In all honesty, probably not. What he lacks in muscle currently, Qi makes up in pure potential — which is his main selling point currently. Any NBA team can put the 20-year-old into a fitness regimen that will force him to bulk up.
Bottom line, Qi young and has physical potential that is simply unmatched in this draft class. With an added ability to assist from down low and an impressive agility in the post despite his size, he's set to make a strong move in the Draft.
Buddy Hield
Guard, Oklahoma
Let's go ahead and set the record straight now — Hield is not small.
He made this clear in Chicago when he measured in at 6′ 5″ with a 6′ 9.5″ wingspan, weighing in at 212 pounds. Not sure what that looks like? Think Dwyane Wade.
Putting aside the idea that he's small, teams need only to take a quick glance at Hield's averages of 25 points and five rebounds per game per season to know that this is a player that can be relied on. He might not be as young as some of the other guards on the market, but Hield's grit and consistency were the topic of heated conversation throughout this year's NCAA season. This was a player who carried his team on his back — are we still talking about that time he earned a standing ovation at Kansas after finishing a game with 46 points? — and a team will know what they're getting if they draft Hield.
At the combine scrimmages, Hield did what he did, drawing eyes and reminding everyone watching that he was there to compete.
