UPDATED: Arkansas Razorbacks at the NBA Draft Combine

Arkansas basketball is well-represented at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine. Four Razorbacks received invites to this year’s combine, which is tied with UCLA for most invites. Anthony Black, Ricky Council IV, Nick Smith Jr., and Jordan Walsh are all in attendance this week.

Black, Council and Walsh are going through measurements, workouts, scrimmages and interviews, but Smith is only going through interviews. He declined to participate in official measurements and drills this week.

They’re all hoping to increase their draft stock in the eyes of NBA personnel, but two have the most to gain from this week. According to most major mock drafts, Black and Smith are virtual locks to be taken in the first round. Council and Walsh have been projected anywhere from the late first round to late second round.

Strong showings from Council and Walsh could go a long way towards those two hearing their names called much earlier in June. Walsh has done just that, making quite the splash following Monday’s drills. Check out Hawg Country’s in-depth breakdown on Walsh’s impressive first day, here.

Here’s where all of the former Razorbacks stand during the combine, and what people are saying about each of them.

Anthony Black

(Photo by Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports)

Height (without shoes): 6′-5.75″

Weight: 210.0 pounds

Wingspan: 6′-7.5″

Standing Vertical: 32 inches

Max Vertical: 39 inches

Three Quarter Sprint: 3.35 seconds

Lane Agility Drill: 11.04 seconds

Black will not participate in the five-on-five scrimmages on Wednesday or Thursday. 

What They Are Saying:

He was in attendance for the announcement of the NBA Draft lottery results on Tuesday night.

Ready for the NBA Draft Lottery! 🏀 pic.twitter.com/47rZxt0oar

— Krysten Peek (@krystenpeek) May 17, 2023

Here’s the list of teams that Black is scheduled to meet with this week.

Anthony Black has met with the following teams:

– Raptors
– Bulls
– Jazz
– Timberwolves
– Wizards (Friday)

(h/t @krystenpeek) pic.twitter.com/ThE96g2wXl

— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) May 17, 2023

Most mock drafts have the Wizards as the most likely destination for Black.

#Wizards select Anthony Black.

Thoughts ? https://t.co/2i5CTn3RHF pic.twitter.com/tIngbBI1aW

— Riley (@rileyricharrds) May 17, 2023

Ricky Council IV

(Photo by Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports)

Height (without shoes): 6′-5″

Weight: 208.0 pounds

Wingspan: 6′-9″

Standing Vertical: 30.5 inches

Max Vertical: 37 inches

Three Quarter Sprint: 3.33 seconds

Lane Agility Drill: 11.20 seconds

Spot-Up Shooting (College Corner Left): 48.0%

Off-Dribble Shooting (College Break Left): 50.0%

On the Move College Shooting: 40.0%

Council will be participating in the five-on-five scrimmages on Wednesday and Thursday. 

Wednesday Scrimmage Results: 4 PTS (2-5 FG, 0-1 3PT), 2 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 TO, +5 box +/- in 19 minutes.

Thursday Scrimmage Results: 9 PTS (3-6 FG, 3-4 FT), 1 AST, 1 TO, +3 box +/- in 19 minutes.

What They Are Saying:

Council ranked sixth out of the small forwards in the Max Vertical drill.

SF Max Vertical Reach

1. Julian Phillips: 12’1”
2. Cam Whitmore: 12’0”
3. Jordan Walsh: 11’11”
4. Andre Jackson: 11’10.5”
5. Chris Livingston: 11’9.5”
6. Ricky Council/Jordan Miller: 11’8”
7. Sidy Cissoko/Seth Lundy/Terrence Shannon Jr./Julian Strawther: 11’7.5”

1/2

— Michael Visenberg (@NBADraftMikeyV) May 16, 2023

Council’s five-on-five scrimmage team includes Mike Miles (TCU), Coleman Hawkins (Illinois) and Johni Broome (Auburn).

Full NBA combine scrimmage rosters pic.twitter.com/okEMqRTb5e

— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) May 16, 2023

Nick Smith Jr.

(Photo by Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports)

Smith declined to participate in measurements, drills and scrimmages, but is going through interviews and meeting with teams.

Jordan Walsh

(Photo by Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports)

Height (without shoes): 6′ 5.75″

Weight: 204.0 pounds

Wingspan: 7′-1.75″

Standing Vertical: 33 inches

Max Vertical: 36 inches

Three Quarter Sprint: 3.37 seconds

Lane Agility Drill: 10.93 seconds

Free Throw Attempts: 70.0% (7/10)

Spot-Up Shooting: 64.0% (16/25)

Side-Mid-Side Shooting: 60.0% (18/30)

Three-Point Star Drill: 48.0% (12/25)

Spot-Up Shooting (College Corner Left): 68.0

Off-Dribble Shooting (College Break Left): 63.3%

On the Move College Shooting: 48.0%

Walsh will be participating in the five-on-five scrimmages on Wednesday and Thursday. 

Wednesday Scrimmage Results: 0 PTS (0-5 FG), 6 REB, 5 AST, 4 FOULS, 0 TOs, -18 box +/- in 19 minutes.

Thursday Scrimmage Results: 15 PTS (4-11 FG, 1-3 3PT, 6-7 FT), 7 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TOs, -1 box +/- in 21 minutes.

What They Are Saying:

Walsh’s five-on-five scrimmage team includes Kevin McCullar (Kansas), Adama Sanogo (UConn) and Drew Timme (Gonzaga).

Full NBA combine scrimmage rosters pic.twitter.com/okEMqRTb5e

— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) May 16, 2023

Walsh’s shot and offensive game are still very raw, but you can see that he has the tools to become something special.

Jordan Walsh missed this, but really impressed how much space he was able to get on the fade from his first step inside the paint pic.twitter.com/xMbCjg6f0X

— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) May 17, 2023

Scouts are loving Walsh and the upside that he can provide.

Jordan Walsh’s activity is really fun to go along with his elite tools. If a team believes they can develop his offensive skills, they need to swing on him. The upside is so fun.

— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) May 17, 2023

Despite the flaws in his game, Walsh’s measurables and potential are moving him up draft boards.

Jordan Walsh Combine Day 1 Profile:

Ht (w/o shoes): 6'6"
Wingspan: 7'2"
Standing Reach: 8'11"
No step vert: 33" (5th)
Max vert: 36"
Lane agility: 10.83 sec (8th)

Side-mid-side: 18/30 (60%) (1st)
3 pt star: 12/25 (48%) (6th)
Spot up: 16/25 (64%) (3rd)
📈📈📈 pic.twitter.com/7SybBgU49D

— Ryan Hammer🔨 (@ryanhammer09) May 16, 2023