PHOTOS: Top prospects showcase at 2026 NBA Draft Combine

MSJ26, Sports, Spring 2026

PHOTOS: Top prospects showcase at 2026 NBA Draft Combine

May 24, 2026

By Kevin Lu

Medill Reports

The 2026 NBA Draft Combine, held May 10-17 at Wintrust Arena, brought together 73 elite prospects from across the United States and four other countries for rigorous testing and evaluation.

Top-tier talents like BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, Duke’s Cameron Boozer and UNC’s Caleb Wilson went through anthropometric measurements, strength and agility tests and shooting drills while interviewing with NBA franchises ahead of the draft, which will be held June 23-24.

NBA Draft prospects in downward dog stretch — Illinois guard Keaton Wagler and Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. stretch before drills begin at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL)

NBA Draft Combine prospect runs on court — Duke forward Cameron Boozer warms up with a trainer before beginning his drills. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL)

2026 NBA Draft Combine prospects in blue uniforms — A trainer instructs a group of prospects including AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson before the strength and agility test. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL)

2026 NBA Draft Combine vertical jump — Houston guard Kingston Flemings leaps during the maximum vertical jump test, recording a 40.5-inch jump. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL)

NBA Draft prospect looks up — Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. prepares for his no-step vertical jump attempt. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL)

Young basketball player at NBA Draft Combine — Illinois guard Keaton Wagler completes the shuttle run in 3.00 seconds during the agility portion of the combine. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL)

Basketball player jumps at NBA Draft Combine — Michigan center Aday Mara attempts the no-step vertical jump, recording a 24.0-inch result. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL)

Duke forward Cameron Boozer focuses on the target during his second maximum vertical jump attempt. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL)

Northwestern forward Nick Martinelli, who withdrew from last year's draft, returns to participate in this year's evaluation. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL) — Northwestern forward Nick Martinelli, who withdrew from last year’s draft, returns to participate in this year’s evaluation. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL)

Illinois guard Kylan Boswell tests his agility during the pro lane drill. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL)

2026 NBA Draft prospect runs court — Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg runs the court as former NBA champion Derek Fisher, serving as a mentor of the combine, watches during a scrimmage. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL)

Northwestern forward Nick Martinelli launches a contested three-pointer against Virginia Tech forward Tobi Lawal during the scrimmage. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL)

Kentucky guard Otega Oweh drives to the basket against Northwestern forward Nick Martinelli in the scrimmage portion of the combine. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL)

NBA Draft Combine player dribbles ball — Houston guard Kingston Flemings throws down a windmill dunk during a break before the shooting drills begin. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL)

Derek Fisher huddles with players before they split for the shooting drills. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL)

Auburn forward Keyshawn Hall takes a three-point shot during the shooting drills evaluation. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL)

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa and Kentucky forward Jayden Quaintance wait for their turn in the shuttle run session. (Kevin Lu/MEDILL)

Kevin Lu is a sports media specialization graduate student at Medill.