Chris Bell, the 6-foot-7 forward from Cal, is seizing a crucial opportunity this weekend at the NBA G-League Combine in Chicago, hoping to catch the eyes of NBA scouts and secure his spot at the upcoming NBA Draft Combine.
Bell received a last-minute invitation to join the three-day event, which began Friday and runs through Sunday. It features 44 top players competing for attention ahead of the NBA Draft Combine, where 73 prospects — all potential picks in the two-round NBA Draft on June 23-24 — will showcase their skills under intense scrutiny.
Showcasing Elite Skills Under NBA Spotlight
Divided into four teams, players at the G-League Combine engage in multiple five-on-five games observed closely by NBA personnel. Bell is on Team 4, alongside fellow ACC stars Boobie Miller of SMU and Tre Donaldson of Miami. The team is coached by Will Scott, Billy Donovan III, Marwan Sarhan, and Scott Machado.
Bell’s standout skill is his long-range shooting — a critical asset in today’s NBA. Last season as a senior with Cal, he averaged 14.2 points per game, knocking down an impressive 40 percent of his three-point attempts. Bell’s production surged late in the season, scoring 20+ points in five of the Bears’ final nine games and averaging an amazing 23.7 points over the last three contests while shooting 55.6 percent (15 of 27) from deep.
Physical Metrics and Intensity Highlight Combine
Beyond shooting and game performance, the G-League Combine measures athleticism and agility with tests similar to an NFL Combine: shuttle runs, three-quarter-court sprints, and vertical jumps. Body measurements like height, wingspan, and hand size are also recorded, giving scouts a full picture of each athlete’s physical tools.
Bell’s size and shooting prowess give him a chance to stand out among a stacked group of elite talent. Other notable participants include Seth Trimble from North Carolina, Robert McCray V of Florida State, Graham Ike of Gonzaga, and Aidan Mahaney, a former Saint Mary’s guard now playing at UC Santa Barbara.
Next Steps: Draft Combine or G-League Futures
The NBA G-League Combine represents a critical crossroads for Bell and others vying to boost their draft stock or earn professional opportunities. Exceptional performances can lead to invitations to the NBA Draft Combine, which begins Sunday — a premier platform for prospects to impress NBA executives ahead of the draft on June 23-24.
For Bell, every minute on the court, every sprint measured, and every shot taken this weekend counts as he fights for a chance to advance his basketball career on the biggest stage.
“This combine is a golden chance for players like Chris Bell to prove their readiness for the NBA,” said an NBA scout attending the event.
Stay tuned as this weekend’s workouts and games unfold, revealing which prospects will rise and possibly find themselves drafted this summer.
