NCAA Basketball: 5 biggest snubs from the 2018 NBA Draft combine
The official NBA Draft Combine list was released on Friday and there are some puzzling omissions. Who were the best players to be snubbed from the event?
NBA Insider Shams Charania released the official list of NBA Draft Combine participants. While most of the top prospects were included, some are noticeably absent. Players who are projected as lottery picks could withdraw which would open additional spots, but it is unclear how many will open.
Kostas Antetokounmpo, Billy Preston and Brian Bowen are three of the biggest surprises to earn combine invites, but there is a strong chance that all three players remain in the draft. Antetokounmpo is reportedly heavily leaning towards leaving Dayton and Bowen’s future eligibility is obviously a major concern. Preston left Kansas after eligibility question marks as well.
Their situations help explain why so many superior underclassmen prospects were snubbed from the combine. NBA teams vote on who to invite and they are less likely to invite someone who may not be seriously considering signing with an agent.
This article will list the five biggest snubs from the NBA Draft Combine and will describe their skillsets and future draft prospects in detail. Most of these snubs will presumably head back to school, but one has already signed with an agent ending his collegiate career.
Shamorie Ponds G Sophomore, St. John’s
Ponds is one of the most surprising omissions because he has a legitimate chance to be selected in the second round. His best attributes are his explosive scoring ability and his ability to attack the basket.
He averaged 21.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 4.7 apg as a sophomore and made national headlines for multiple scoring outbursts in Big East play. Ponds would thrive as a spark plug off the bench and could be most effective when paired with a bigger backcourt mate.
There are a few things working against him as a prospect. He is only listed at 6’1” which is small for a combo guard. His long-range shooting also dropped off considerably which is a major concern.
Ponds shot 38% from three last season on 75 makes, but these numbers plummeted to 25% and 47 makes this season. One reason for this could be that Marcus Lovett missed most of this season which meant Ponds was forced to be the primary creator at all times. This increased workload could be a factor in the decreased efficiency.
St. John’s would obviously love to have Ponds back and it seems like he would return as he was snubbed from the combine. The Red Storm are an NCAA Tournament-caliber team with him but will fall to the Big East basement without him.