Stakes are high: Six players who need a good NBA Combine showing

The NBA Draft Combine is all set for next week. While the NBA hasn’t publicly released its complete list of invitees, many of them have been confirmed online already. Today, we take a look at six players who could improve their status at the combine.

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Junior stats at N.C. State: 23.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.

How can he help himself? I was a bit surprised that Barber didn’t get more national acclaim given the numbers he put up. Perhaps N.C. State’s disappointing season hurt him some, but Barber was often electric as a junior. Barber could help himself by testing well athletically (especially given his rep as an athlete) and by showing that he can shoot the ball. I can see him picking up some steam with a good combine.

Sophomore stats at Connecticut: 12.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.

How can he help himself? Watching Hamilton at UConn, he was one of the most versatile players in college basketball. He is a big-time rebounder and he is a terrific passer with good scoring instincts. Unfortunately, he isn’t a particularly great athlete and he’s been a poor (around 38 percent overall in two seasons) shooter. If Hamilton can test better than expected athletically or show his jumper to be less of a concern he may work his way into the mix.

How can he help himself? Outside of YouTube clips and some camp competition, NBA scouts have not gotten to get much of a look at Maker. Making the leap from high school class of 2016, the five-star prospect is mostly a mystery. Strength, or lack of it, is considered a major issue for him and there are questions about how athletic he really is or isn’t. Maker is a hard worker with a big personality, if his game and measurables check out under close inspection he could move from latter part of the first round into lottery territory.

Freshman stats at Mississippi State: 11.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.

How can he help himself? If Newman wants to stay in the draft and get selected sooner than late in the second round, he’s going to need a huge combine. He’s going to have to measure better than expected and play really well. NBA scouts were not kind in their assessment of him at the 2015 McDonald’s All-American Game and his freshman season was a disappointment relative to his ranking. Newman is a very good jump shooter from deep but on the small side for a two guard and there are worries about his ability to create separation via the dribble.

Sophomore stats at Maryland: 14.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.

How can he help himself? As a sophomore, Trimble had a lot of pressure on him as a ball handler and he seemed to wear down as the season went on, which hurt his production and shooting percentages. Personally, I’ve always seen him as more of a natural shooting or combo guard who can slide over and play some point as a scorer first. I think a solid showing at the Combine could have NBA types seeing him as bigger version of current Nugget D.J. Augustin.

Sophomore stats at Seton Hall: 18.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.

How can he help himself? Whitehead helped lead Seton Hall to a bit of a resurgence. When he had it rolling he was one of the most dynamic players in college hoops. He’s strong and tough, but he’s going to have to erase doubts about his jump shot and get some face time with NBA types to prove that he’s a team guy. It wouldn’t be a shock to see him get some first-round consideration with a great Combine.