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Syracuse Basketball: NBA Combine still possible for SU players

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 16: Oshae Brissett #11 and teammate Tyus Battle #25 of the Syracuse Orangereact after the conclusion of the first half of the game against Oregon Ducks during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 16: Oshae Brissett #11 and teammate Tyus Battle #25 of the Syracuse Orangereact after the conclusion of the first half of the game against Oregon Ducks during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Oshae Brissett still hasn’t decided if he’s returning to Syracuse basketball. But in the meantime, he’s been added to the G-League Elite Camp roster.

Will he or won’t he return to Syracuse basketball is the question? Of course, we’re talking about sophomore Oshae Brissett who has already played two seasons on the hill for the Orange. But will he play a third season? That is still unclear.

What is clear is that Oshae Brissett has been added to the G-League Elite Camp roster. This is the inaugural year for the camp that will include players beyond the G-League (collegiate athletes).

In other words, this is a poor man’s NBA Combine. Both of these “combines” take place in Chicago and all 30 NBA teams will be represented at each function with key decision makers.

The G-League camp is scheduled for May 12th through the 14th. 40 draft-eligible players will participate including Tyus Battle and the aforementioned Brissett. While the NBA Combine takes place from May 15th through the 19th.

Both are opportunities to show NBA teams what you’re made of. If that wasn’t enough motivation here’s this little nugget: if they play well enough in the G-League camp they can still earn an NBA Combine invite.

"Per a report from Donna Ditota of Syracuse.com: “a select few college players who impressed at the G-League Elite Camp will be invited to stay in Chicago to participate in the NBA Combine.”"

How important is attending the NBA Combine? Analytics says it’s pretty important.

Another report from Donna Ditota did a deep dive on what history says about attending the combine and how that correlates to being drafted:

"“Over the last five years, NBA teams have drafted a total of 12 college players who did not secure combine invitations. That’s fewer than three per year.”"

It’s not impossible to be drafted without attending the combine, but the numbers are pretty damning.

Another interesting nugget to consider with Battle and Brissett is what this means for both of them.

Tyus was invited to the NBA Combine last year and wasn’t brought back this year. Maybe that’s because teams already know who he is and they don’t need to waste a precious spot in Chicago. In other words, maybe Battle’s NBA draft stock is more sound than we think.

Next. Syracuse Basketball: Top 30 Players in School History. dark

As opposed to Oshae who hasn’t been invited to the NBA Combine in 2019 or 2018. For those who don’t know, NBA combine invites are derived from NBA teams’ interest in said players. If you don’t get an invite at all, it usually means teams aren’t interested. We’ll see if either Tyus or Oshae can raise some eyebrows in the windy city and change some people’s minds.

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