The National Basketball Association has released the list of 75 players invited to the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, scheduled to take place from May 11–18 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.
In accordance with the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, all invited prospects are mandated to attend and participate in the combine.
Among those invited is Drake Powell, the only former UNC basketball player to earn a spot at this year’s event.
In what appears to be his only season at Chapel Hill, Drake Powell averaged 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, shooting an efficient 48.3% from the field and 37.9% from three-point range—the third-best mark on the team from beyond the arc.
While Powell’s invitation to the NBA Draft Combine comes as little surprise, it may raise eyebrows that former Tar Heel guards RJ Davis and Caleb Love were not among those selected to participate in the event.
At this point, it’s no secret how the NBA operates: younger prospects tend to be valued more highly. Teams often prioritize players they can develop over time, while those who spend four—or even five—years at the college level can face an uphill battle due to concerns about their age and perceived ceiling.
College résumés simply don’t carry the same weight they once did. While there are always exceptions, the reality is that older prospects often struggle to convince NBA franchises they’re worth investing in. We’ve seen this story play out before with players like Armando Bacot and Brady Manek—both of whom had strong cases for a shot in the league, but the opportunity never materialized. In Bacot’s case, his impressive G-League numbers this season speak volumes about his growth, yet he still hasn’t received a single NBA call-up.
Despite not being invited to the NBA Draft Combine, RJ Davis and Caleb Love should still draw attention from teams. Though they may go undrafted, both guards have a real shot at professional careers—whether that be in the G-League or abroad.
As for Drake Powell, this week is a pivotal moment. The former Tar Heel will look to prove that declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft was the right decision as he competes in a crucial stretch of evaluation in front of league scouts and executives.
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