The 2026 AWS NBA Draft Combine concluded this week in Chicago, where prospects underwent rigorous athletic testing and physical measurements.

These evaluations provide NBA and G League scouts with essential data on a player's physical ceiling and performance capabilities. The results often influence draft positioning and team valuations as franchises prepare for the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft.

A total of 73 NBA draft prospects were invited to participate in the event [1]. These athletes engaged in a series of drills, including sprints and vertical leaps, to showcase their athleticism to professional observers [4]. The NBA Combine took place from May 10 to May 17, 2026 [3].

In addition to the primary draft event, the NBA G League held its own combine from May 8 to May 10, 2026 [4]. This separate session included 44 G League prospects [2]. Both events were hosted at Wintrust Arena in Chicago [5].

The combine serves as a centralized hub for scouts to gather objective data. By measuring wingspan, height, and explosive power, teams can compare prospects using a standardized set of metrics. This process reduces the reliance on anecdotal scouting reports, providing a more empirical basis for roster construction.

Participants spent the week rotating through various stations designed to test different aspects of basketball agility. The data collected at Wintrust Arena will be integrated into the wider scouting reports used by general managers throughout the draft process.

“The results often influence draft positioning and team valuations.”

The conclusion of the combine marks the transition from physical evaluation to strategic planning for NBA franchises. With standardized athletic data now available for 117 total prospects across the NBA and G League levels, teams will spend the coming weeks synthesizing these metrics with game film to determine their final draft boards.