In-Person NBA Draft Combine to Return for 2021

The lead up to the 2021 NBA Draft will feature an in-person combine this year. Unlike last year’s virtual combine, the top prospects in the 2021 class are set to take center stage in Chicago near the end of June.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania provided an update on the Chicago-based event earlier this week.

Sources: 2021 NBA Draft Combine is scheduled to take place in person June 21-27 in Chicago at Wintrust Arena and Marriott Marquis, consisting of team interview sessions, five-on-five games, shooting drills, measurements, strength/agility testing, halfcourt drills and medicals.

The ramp up to the 2021 NBA Draft will also feature a new showcase aimed at filling the void created by the Portsmouth Invitational’s current hiatus. Like the Portsmouth Invitational, the newly-constructed Myrtle Beach International Combine will feature players that typically drop off the radar of other pre-draft showcases. The Athletic’s Kelly Iko delivered the details on the Myrtle Beach International Combine on Tuesday.

The invitational will take place from June 13-15 and feature 40 college seniors and 20 international prospects — ones considered fringe first-rounders, second-rounders and two-way G-Leaguers. The facility, the Myrtle Beach Sports Center, has 100,000 square footage of space, 72,000 of court space, eight full-length basketball courts and 16 volleyball courts. It’s expected to host more than 2,500 people.

Based on the current standings, the Portland Trail Blazers will not have a selection in the 2021 NBA Draft. If the Blazers fail to make the Western Conference’s traditional eight-seed format (post play-in), they will re-claim their 2021 first-round pick from the Rockets.