The 2026 NBA draft combine in Chicago featured early testing and drills, with AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer posting elite measurements.
The 2026 NBA draft combine is taking place in Chicago, where players began anthropometric testing on Monday. Around 25-30 participants completed athletic testing and shooting drills at the start, while the rest went through the same evaluations on Tuesday. Viewers can catch the NBA Draft Combine show on ESPN2 from 2 p.m. ET until 6 p.m. ET.
AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer were the first three prospects to finish their scheduled appearances. Dybantsa measured 6-foot-8½ without shoes, had a 7-½ wingspan, and recorded a 42.0-inch maximum vertical leap. Peterson measured 6-foot-4½ without shoes, with a 6-9¾ wingspan and a 37½-inch max vertical. Boozer measured 6-foot-8¼ with a 7-1½ wingspan and a 35.0-inch max vertical. This group will not participate in the 5-on-5 scrimmages on Wednesday and Thursday, similar to most projected first-round picks.
While early combine days rarely shift draft stock dramatically, some players made strong impressions in the first 24 hours at Wintrust Arena. Karaban, considered a borderline first-round talent and ranked No. 32 in the latest mock draft, delivered the top shooting performance of the day on Monday. He made 22-for-30 off the dribble, 18-for-25 in the 3-point star drill (second-best so far), 21-for-25 in the side-mid-side drill (best so far), and 18-for-25 in the spot-up shooting drill. Karaban concluded his college career at Storrs with a 37.4% three-point shooting mark. His athletic testing also showed improvement, as his standing vertical leap increased by 5.5 inches since the 2024 combine.
Carr turned in one of the most impressive combine performances after a breakout college season, averaging nearly 19 points per game at Baylor following 18 games over a year and a half at Tennessee in 2023 and 2024. His combine numbers could push him above his current projection at No. 18 in mock drafts. Measuring 6-4½ with a 7-¾ wingspan, Carr posted an exceptional plus-8.25 wingspan, the second-largest height-to-wingspan gap at the combine. On Tuesday, he recorded the second-best max vertical leap at 42½ inches and the fastest pro lane agility drill time among all participants. Carr also weighed 184.4 pounds, nearly 10 pounds heavier than his listed weight during the season, which addresses concerns about his frame.
Johnson had a productive first on-court session on Monday, measuring 6-9 barefoot, a figure that caught some NBA teams by surprise. He also posted a 7-3.5 wingspan and an 8-11 standing reach, providing legitimate dimensions for an NBA center despite being undersized for the position. His lane drill time ranked among the best in testing, and while his shooting remains a work in progress, his mechanics showed noticeable improvement in a group setting with other bigs. Johnson made 12-of-35 three-pointers during his time at Michigan but appears to have clear potential to develop his spot-up shooting. His physical profile continues to strengthen his case for a top-20 selection.
Cenac made the most of his Monday drills, standing out with his physical tools and fluidity for his size. He measured 6-10.25 barefoot with a 7-5 wingspan and a 9-½ standing reach, establishing true center-sized dimensions. His combine testing included a 41½-inch standing vertical, showcasing elite explosiveness. Though his statistical output at Houston was modest, he embraced his rebounding role within Kelvin Sampson's system and made progress with his physicality. Teams such as the Charlotte Hornets (No. 14) and Chicago Bulls (No. 4, 15) may prioritize a long-term center, making Cenac an intriguing option likely to be considered in the late lottery.
The Utah Jazz holding the No. 2 overall pick sparked immediate trade speculation after the lottery results, with questions about whether they might attempt to move up to No. 1 to select Dybantsa. This consideration stems from strong ties between Utah owner Ryan Smith, CEO Danny Ainge, and president of basketball operations Austin Ainge to BYU. However, no such move is currently indicated at this stage of the predraft process, as lottery teams only recently received their selections. While Utah sits in a strong position at No. 2, the possibility of Washington selecting someone else before their pick remains uncertain. Dybantsa remains the favorite for the No. 1 overall pick, though Peterson has been viewed as a strong candidate for that spot all season, with varying opinions on Boozer and Caleb Wilson as well.
Though this draft class features a consensus top four, movement at the very top of the draft is historically uncommon. The last time a top pick trade occurred was when the Philadelphia 76ers moved up to No. 1 with the Boston Celtics to select Markelle Fultz. Any potential trades within this top tier will likely take time to develop over the coming weeks. The gap between Dybantsa and Peterson may not justify trading from No. 2 to No. 1, regardless of which teams hold the picks.
Peat is facing one of the more challenging keep-or-leave decisions ahead of the May 27 withdrawal deadline. He entered the college season as a projected top 10 pick but saw his stock decline despite Arizona winning the Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles before reaching the Final Four. Ranked No. 24 in the most recent mock draft, Peat tested well athletically on Monday but struggled significantly with shooting. He made just seven three-pointers all season for the Wildcats and then went 6-for-25 in both the 3-point star drill and the spot-up shooting drill. His shooting motion appeared noticeably different from his time at Arizona, with a slower delivery and a lower release point, and he did not look fully comfortable during Monday’s drills.