Three Wildcats Officially Invited to NBA Draft Combine
The University of Kentucky will be well-represented at the upcoming NBA Combine in Chicago.
On Tuesday, the NBA released a list of 78 players that will attend the combine, which runs from May 15-21 at the Wintrust Arena in the Windy City. Forwards Oscar Tshiebwe, Chris Livingston and guard Cason Wallace have all been invited.
"Players will have interviews with NBA teams and participate in five-on-five games as well as shooting and strength and agility drills," per the release.
Wallace is the lone Wildcat to have made an official decision, as the Richardson, Texas native entered the NBA draft after his freshman campaign in Lexington. He announced his decision on April 1.
He was a 5-star prospect in the 2022 class, ranked as a top-10 player. He was named a McDonald's All-American before arriving at UK. He then became a vital part of coach John Calipari's rotation.
In 32 games, Wallace averaged 11.7 points, 4.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds. He shot 44.6 percent from the floor and 34.6 percent from 3-point range. He fought through injuries, dealing with back and lower-leg issues over the course of the season while averaging 32.1 minutes a night.
As for Tshiebwe and Livingston, the combine could be the final act before either player makes an official decision, as both are currently testing the draft waters and haven't committed to either remain in the draft or come back to Kentucky.
Livingston announced his decision on April 12 after playin in all 34 contests for UK as a freshman, averaging 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. The Akron, Ohio, native earned Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team honors and managed seven double-figure scoring games, including four in a five-game stretch in February, excelling down the stretch of the season.
Tshiebwe declared on April 7 and has since had workouts with the likes of the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets, but draft boards still aren't high on the forward. Trying to tough things out in the G League has always been the favored outcome, as it remains unlikely that he'll hear his name called on draft night.
Tshiebwe has averaged 16.9 points and 14.4 rebounds per game in 66 UK appearances. He ranks tied for second in career double-doubles (48), sixth in all-time career rebounds (952) and 48th in scoring (1,117).
Players can submit paperwork to receive evaluations from the NBA and participate – if invited – in the combine. The deadline to return to school is May 31. The NBA draft is set for June 22.
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Inside Kentucky basketball's somber locker room after NCAA Tourney defeat HERE.
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