Baylor sophomore Cameron Carr performed well during the scrimmage on the first day of the 2026 NBA Draft combine in Chicago, Illinois on Wednesday.
More than 70 rookies took the court for the first time Monday for a weeklong event at Winstrust Arena that included measurements, strength and agility testing, shooting drills and other drills. The group will wrap up 5-on-5 play Thursday.
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Players who agreed to participate in the scrimmage were divided into four teams, with several potential first-round picks taking the field. Over the years, the game has helped prospects improve their draft stock and produce strong performances.
Rookie Wire takes a look back at some of the standout performers from Day 1, including some who have dropped out of the tournament after strong performances.
Cameron Carr, Baylor
After his 30-point performance on Wednesday, Carr was considered the likely biggest winner of the draft combine. He also added seven rebounds and two blocks and made six of 12 three-pointers in nearly 27 minutes.
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The 6-foot-4 guard is also tied for the second-highest vertical jump, recording 42 1/2 inches in testing earlier this week. He also has one of the largest wingspans at 7 feet 3/4 inches.
Carr entered the week as a possible late first-round pick and will likely firmly insert himself as a possible lottery selection after his performance. As expected, he withdrew from the game and was looking forward to workouts and interviews.
Jacoby Gillespie, Tennessee
Gillespie, who played alongside Carr, scored 28 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block in nearly 26 minutes of playing time. He was aggressive right out of the gate and performed well in the first half, scoring 24 points early to lead all players.
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The 22-year-old arrived in the Windy City expected to be a second-round pick, but Wednesday’s performance could help his draft stock. He’ll try again on Thursday to further showcase himself as a veteran defender who can score and distribute the ball.
Bubba Miller, Cincinnati
Miller played 22 minutes, made 2 of 5 three-pointers, and scored 20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. He dazzled at times in the open court with his ability to either finish or get to the free throw line (6-of-6) through contact.
Earlier this week, Miller measured 6 feet 10 1/2 inches barefoot with a standing reach of 9 feet 3 inches. He also set the third fastest round trip time (2.7 seconds), demonstrating his agility and speed, further highlighting his unique skill set.
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rubencinjelu, florida
Chinyele, who is testing the pre-draft process, had a strong performance in Wednesday’s first scrimmage, finishing with 13 points, five rebounds and two steals. He demonstrated his patented high-speed motor in the paint area, scratching and cleaning glass.
The 6-foot-9 1/4-inch Nigerian tested earlier this week and measured a 7-foot-7 1/2-inch wingspan, the longest of any rookie this year. He’ll play again Thursday and then have a tough decision to make: stay in the draft or return to Gainesville.
Dane Swain (Texas)
Swain played 20 minutes and scored 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. While those numbers certainly didn’t jump off the page, the possible first-round pick opted out of the 5-on-5 game after the performance. He said earlier this week that he would forfeit his remaining eligibility.
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Ortega Ove (Kentucky)
Ove played 18 minutes, made 7 of 12 shots, scored 20 points and 4 rebounds. He showed off his ability as a scorer, defensive versatility and intensity on both ends. The 22-year-old emerged as a top draft prospect among executives and helped his stock with a strong Day 1 performance heading into Thursday.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: 2026 NBA Draft Combine: Chicago’s top performers on Day 1 of scrimmage
