UCLA basketball’s two leading scorers from last season, Kris Wilkes and Jaylen Hands, have been invited to the 2019 NBA Combine.
Two of UCLA basketball‘s top performers from last season are preparing for the next step in their hoops career. Kris Wilkes and Jaylen Hands have already hired agents as they have declared for the 2019 NBA Draft, but before that, they will be able to show what they are made of in the NBA Combine.
RELATED: UCLA Basketball Scholarship Distribution
Both former Bruins have been invited to the Combine (which takes place May 15-19 in Chicago) where they will be able to put their skills on display as they are measured, interviewed, medically evaluated as well as go through a series of drills in front of NBA scouts and executives.
More from Go Joe Bruin
- UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
- UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
- UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
- UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show
Both Wilkes and Hands had declared for the draft a year ago and participated in the 2018 NBA Combine. The results of that combine had led both of them back to Westwood where they would try to improve on their skills in the sophomore season with UCLA.
Wilkes was the Bruins’ leading scorer last season, averaging 17.4 points per game, which was up from 13.7 points in his freshman year. Wilkes can score from anywhere on the court, but he is particularly dangerous with his midrange shot. If he can improve on his long game and ability to attack the basket, he could be a reliable backup wingman. Most NBA mock drafts have him going early in the second round.
Hands might have more to offer as he was the starting point guard for the Bruins last year. He not only put up 14.2 points per game last season but also contributed 6.1 assists (18th in the nation). Though Hands has to get a handle on his consistency, he has been known to take over a game or two.
The sophomore point guard had helped UCLA make several impressive comebacks last season, which included a 27-point second half performance that lifted the Bruins to a win over Oregon after being down 19. Currently, he is projected to be taken late in the second round.
UCLA loses a third player from last season as Moses Brown has also declared for the draft, but was not invited to the combine (as of now).