Orlando Magic get down to details as NBA Draft Combine passes
![CHICAGO, IL - MAY 17: Jaylen Nowell of Washington works out during day two of the 2019 NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) CHICAGO, IL - MAY 17: Jaylen Nowell of Washington works out during day two of the 2019 NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/4fdb167080e27f36020ec4ae714968bac104c7248ce5e2b7b29640cb4cfd0e52.jpg)
Measuring Up
Of course, Orlando was certainly at the Combine also focused on their picks — the 16th and 46th picks in the draft. They were likely examining several players to make sure their measurements matched up, scouting prospects playing in the scrimmages who might be available for their second-round pick, Summer Leauge team or the Lakeland Magic and interviewing prospects they may take in the first round.
As has become the joke with Magic fans, the team has an obsession with drafting length.
Mohamed Bamba set the NBA Draft Combine record with a 7-foot-10 wingspan last year (UCF Knights center Tacko Fall has since broken it this year). The Magic’s other two draft picks last year — Melvin Frazier and Justin Jackson — had two of the longest wingspans within their position groups.
So it bears to reason the Magic should have an eye on this character trait.
It feels unlikely the Magic would draft a center but lottery prospect Bol Bol finished behind only the 7-foot-6 Tacko Fall with a 7-foot-7 wingspan.
Villanova Wildcats forward Eric Paschall, who averaged 16.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game last year, measured with the longest wingspan among forwards at 6-foot-11.75. Paschall is No. 31 in ESPN’s top 100 board.
Stanford Cardinal forward KZ Okpala, a raw forward who has good driving sense, and Iowa State Cyclones guard Talen Horton-Tucker both measured in at 7-foot-1.25-inch wingspans. They both could get plenty of interest at No. 16.
A fan made this interestingly handy chart of players and their difference between actual height and wingspan length. The Magic will certainly want to take a closer look at all these players to see if their physical attributes match their skills.
The 2nd annual "WeltHam Longboi" List. The Magic took number 1 and 3 from last year's version of the list. pic.twitter.com/BU5HKqT8uL
— Vågberg (@jespvagberg) May 16, 2019
A name worth noting on here would be North Carolina Tar Heels and Orlando Christian Prep forward Nassir Little. Little struggled with consistency throughout his lone college season.
But he shot better than expected and has high lottery talent. He could fall to No. 16 and give the Magic a forward who can attack off the dribble and hit an open 3-pointer while providing some tough defense.