Good Morning, Illini Nation: An NBA draft combine primer

TL;DR

The 2026 NBA Draft combine started in Chicago with 27 players participating in various tests and drills. Illinois guards Andrej Stojakovic, Keaton Wagler, and Kylan Boswell are among the players involved, with Boswell expected to play in 5-on-5 games.

Key points

2026 NBA Draft combine began in Chicago
27 players participated in strength and agility tests
Illinois guard Andrej Stojakovic is involved
Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell will undergo testing
Boswell had notable performance at Portsmouth Invitational

IllinoisAndrej StojakovicKeaton WaglerKylan Boswell

May 12—The 2026 NBA Draft combine began Monday evening in Chicago with 27 players going through strength and agility tests and shooting drills at Wintrust Arena.

The anthropomorphic testing includes measuring height (without shoes), weight, hand length, hand width, standing reach and wingspan. The strength and agility testing includes lane agility, shuttle run, three-quarter court sprint, standing vertical and max vertical. The shooting drills include off dribble, spot up, three-point star, three-point side and free throw.

Illinois guard Andrej Stojakovic was in the second group of nine on the court Monday night. Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell will both go through the testing and drills today. Wagler's measurements Monday came back at 6-foot-5 (without shoes) with a 6-6 1/4 wingspan and 8-4 standing reach.

Part of the strength and agility testing will be repeat for Boswell, who went through something similar last month at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. The 6-foot-2 guard had the sixth-best vertical of the 64 players tested in Portsmouth, Va., at 32 1/2 inches, while his 6-8 wingspan (plus-5 1/2) was notable.

Wednesday at the combine is part media day, part game day. All three Illinois guards will be available for interviews, while only Boswell will play 5-on-5. Wagler's exclusion from the games is not a surprise given his status as a projected lottery pick. Stojakovic not playing is also worth noting given he projects as a late second-round pick at best and announced his return to the Illini for the 2026-27 season before officially entering his name in the draft.

Boswell's 5-on-5 team includes a pair of former Big Ten rivals, including Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd. The two, of course, shared a ... competitive moment ... at the Big Ten tournament two months ago.

* Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt, So., G

* Keyshawn Hall, Sr., F, Auburn

* Tobi Lawal, Sr., F, Virginia Tech

* Otega Owen, Sr., G, Kentucky

* Flory Bidguna, So., C, Louisville

* Rafael Castro, Sr., C, George Washington

Q&A

What are the key measurements taken at the NBA draft combine?

Key measurements include height, weight, hand length, hand width, standing reach, and wingspan.

Which Illinois players are participating in the 2026 NBA Draft combine?

Illinois guards Andrej Stojakovic, Keaton Wagler, and Kylan Boswell are participating in the combine.

What is the significance of the NBA draft combine for players like Kylan Boswell?

The NBA draft combine provides players like Kylan Boswell an opportunity to showcase their skills and improve their draft stock ahead of the NBA draft.