With the 2022 NBA Draft Combine underway, prospect measurements have hit the league’s official stat page. While these numbers don’t guarantee immediate success at the next level — it helps to, you know, be good at basketball — they can offer a glimpse of a player’s potential.
Top prospects like Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr. weren’t measured at the combine, but we do know the wingspans of a few potential first-round picks. Here’s how they stack up against some NBA stars.
(Note: Again, we’re using wingspan as an entry point to talk about what a player could become. These are imperfect comparisons, but that’s what makes the draft process so interesting.)
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NBA Draft Combine wingspan measurements
Shaedon Sharpe — 6-11.5
Wingspan comparison: Paul George — 6-11.25
Sharpe is a bit of a mystery. He committed to Kentucky, but he never played a game for the Wildcats, leaving NBA teams with minimal film to evaluate.
He is an explosive athlete capable of putting defenders on a poster if they dare to challenge him at the rim. He possesses an advanced package of isolation moves for a soon-to-be 19-year-old. Defensively, Sharpe’s length and quickness can bother ball handlers.
Putting those pieces together, you can see the outline of George. Obviously, that’s a high bar, but the measurements stack up nicely.
Dyson Daniels — 6-10.5
Wingspan comparison: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — 6-11.5
Daniels showed off his skills in the G League, averaging 11.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals across 29 games. He is comfortable working as the primary initiator, but he doesn’t need the ball in order to be effective. If he can extend his shooting range, he will significantly raise his ceiling.
Outside shooting was also the swing skill for Gilgeous-Alexander, who made a notable jump in his third year when he hit 41.8 percent of his deep attempts.
“Offensively, I’ve been watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic,” Daniels told ESPN. “I like the way they use their change of pace, creative passing and basketball IQ to read the game and make teammates better.”
Bennedict Mathurin — 6-9
Wingspan comparison: Gilbert Arenas — 6-9.5
A dynamic offensive weapon out of the University of Arizona? Remind you of anyone?
A 6-6 guard who can drain a triple or soar to the basket, Mathurin is an electric talent. You never have to worry about him lacking confidence or not wanting the ball in the big moments.
He can also rack up turnovers, take questionable shots and lose focus on defense. So yeah, Arenas works here.
Johnny Davis — 6-8.5
Wingspan comparison: Brandon Roy — 6-8
Davis isn’t a guy who will live above the rim or blow by his defender with blazing speed. He just operates at his own pace, whether that means pulling up for a midrange jumper or backing down a smaller guard in the post. He is also a tenacious defender.
Before Roy had his career derailed by injuries, he was one of the NBA’s smoothest stars. Davis may never reach peak Roy, but he could do worse than a Roy imitation.
Mark Williams — 7-6.5
Wingspan comparison: Rudy Gobert — 7-8.5
Williams and Gobert both had the longest recorded wingspans at their respective combines. Williams was one of college basketball’s best rim protectors last season, and Gobert is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year. They are both somewhat limited offensively, but they are solid screeners and lob catchers.
One major difference? Gobert lasted until the No. 27 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. There is no way Williams falls that far down the board this year.
