Xaivian Lee’s predraft process already began when he competed at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, an event for graduated seniors, and after performing well in athletic testing and having a strong performance in one of his two scrimmages he looked to build on that performance the last few days in the G League Combine. Every player wants to be at the main NBA Combine, and there is a pathway even if they weren’t in the initial group invited. The G League combine takes place the week prior to the NBA Combine, giving an opportunity for the top performers to earn an invite to the main event. Lee was never expected to be invited to the NBA Combine, but a chance to prove himself at the G League Combine was all he could hope for.
At Portsmouth Lee measured at 6’3.5” in shoes, and at the G League Combine he measured 6’2.5” in barefeet–the preferred measurement of the NBA. Portsmouth had him with a 6’5” wingspan, but the G League combine had him a hair shorter at 6’4.75”–for whatever that is worth.
The biggest area where Lee popped was when it came to max vert–where players can take an approach before exploding into the air as high as possible. After posting a 29.5” standing vertical leap at Portsmouth, Lee posted a 38” max leap at the G League Combine, a very strong number for a guard and particularly one who is known more for skill and quickness than athleticism.
All of the quickness and speed events were favorable to Lee at Portsmouth and he was hopeful he’d be able to replicate the results around even better competition at the G League combine and that is just what happened. He placed second among all players in the shuttle run and fourth in the three-quarter court sprint, to go alongside that previously mentioned maximum vertical which had him at fifth.
Exactly how much weight front offices put into these metrics varies greatly from team to team, but whatever the case may be–Lee went out to compete and performed well against other players in a similar setting.
After measurements and athletic testing came what many view as the main event–the live scrimmages where players go head to head trying to prove their talents.
Lee’s play style was notably different than at Portsmouth, where he was trying to be more aggressive as a scorer. At the G League Combine he was looking to be more of a true point guard and distributor, which was perhaps a tactical decision based on what they wanted NBA teams to see and what role Lee and his team think he could play if given the chance at the highest level.
This strategy had mixed results. Though Lee didn’t look to score a ton, when he did he struggled to create shots and when he did he struggled with his efficiency, scoring 2 points in his first game and 6 in the second. Scoring clearly wasn’t his main goal as he was much more focused on trying to set up teammates, and this is where there were some excellent moments and some frustrating ones. In two games Lee combined for 13 assists–but 8 turnovers. In open play and transition Lee was able to see open teammates streaking to the rim and spotting up from three, but once things turned into a more structured contest he struggled to make reads, and the physicality of the defenders also caused him troubles. You also saw some issues on the defensive end where he was a step slow on multiple rotations which forced him into fouls that quickly piled up.
Ultimately, Lee did not earn one of the spots in the NBA Combine, though it wasn’t expected that he would do so. He’ll now hope to have some individual workouts with teams, though his “combine” season is now finished. Overall, he’ll be happy with the testing at both Portsmouth and the G League Combine, though he’ll likely be disappointed with his overall performances in the scrimmages though he did have one fantastic game at Portsmouth that he’ll hope evaluators put more weight into.
The Gators will now put their focus on the NBA Combine where Rueben Chinyelu will compete, still unsure if he will return to Gainesville.