NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
Arkansas fans aren’t going to like what the numbers may be saying about Meleek Thomas right now.
The freshman shooting guard who spent this past season quietly becoming one of the most productive players in the SEC didn’t suit up for scrimmages at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine this week in Chicago.
Advertisement
He went through the drills. He posted his measurements. He let his shooting percentages make the case for him. Then he stepped off the floor and let somebody else play in the games.
For the folks that have watched it closely for years, Sit-outs tend to end college time and that’s not great news for Razorbacks fans hoping he comes back to Fayetteville.
Thomas was one of four Hogs in Chicago this week alongside Darius Acuff Jr., Billy Richmond and Trevon Brazile.
All four went through measurements and on-court testing Tuesday. When the scrimmages tipped off Wednesday, Thomas and Acuff were nowhere near the court.
Only Richmond and Brazile suited up for the games.
Advertisement
The history behind it makes a strong case that Thomas has already made up his mind, whether he’s said so publicly or not.
What History Books Say About Combine Scrimmage Sit-Outs
The combine is designed to let prospects show NBA teams what they can do in a controlled setting.
Players who are firmly in draft mode, particularly those who’ve already heard promising things from front offices, often protect themselves by skipping the scrimmages entirely.
There’s no need to risk an ankle or a bad shooting night when a team has already told you they like what they see.
The pattern is backed up with the numbers. Of the 28 combine attendees who didn’t participate in scrimmages last year, only two returned to college, Alabama’s Labaron Philon and Florida’s Alex Condon.
Advertisement
A dozen of those 28 ended up being lottery picks. Another 11 were selected in the back half of the first round. Just three landed in the second round, including Arkansas forward Adou Thiero.
In 2024, the picture was nearly identical.
Of 20…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/arkansas-fans-may-bracing-meleek-223947521.html
Author :
Publish date : 2026-05-13 22:39:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
