NBA Draft Combine Day 1 Recap: Tahaad Pettiford Steals the Show with 23-Point Masterclass
Chicago, IL – May 15, 2025
The opening day of NBA Draft Combine scrimmages in Chicago, delivered a standout performance from Tahaad Pettiford, who controlled tempo, made plays for others, and scored with efficiency in front of a gym packed with NBA personnel. The Auburn freshman racked up 23 points, 8 assists, and just 1 turnover — asserting himself as the most dynamic guard on the floor and one of the day’s biggest stock risers.
Pettiford’s quickness, live dribble creativity, and decision-making stood out from the jump. He dissected defenses in pick-and-roll, got downhill at will, and consistently created clean looks for teammates. His competitive edge and polish were on full display, and in a field where many prospects sat out, he seized the opportunity.
Yaxel Lendeborg had a strong showing with 13 points and a team-high 9 rebounds, answering some of the questions about how his game would translate against NBA Draft-level competition. He brought energy and physicality on the glass, stayed active defensively, and showed more control than in past outings. He continues to build his case as a potential first-rounder — he faces a tough decision with a lucrative return to college at Michigan still on the table.
Hunter Sallis scored 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds. He was effective in the midrange, ran the floor well, and rebounded outside his area. While scouts still question his strength and physicality at the next level, Sallis brought real value with his length, athleticism, and versatility on both ends.
Miles Byrd hit 3-of-6 from deep and finished with 11 points. He showed clean mechanics and a smooth release, along with some off-ball movement and a transition dunk. Byrd’s fluidity and size continue to make him an intriguing floor spacer, but strength limitations and defensive concerns still cloud his projection.
Eric Dixon scored 15 points and knocked down 3-of-6 from three. He played with poise, used his strength to carve space inside, and stepped out confidently as a stretch option. Concerns about his ability to finish over length and switch defensively remain, but his offensive versatility was on display.
Javon Small of West Virginia didn’t score much — finishing with 6 points — but ran the offense effectively and posted a game-high 7 assists to just 1 turnover. He played with control, made good decisions out of pick-and-roll, and delivered timely passes. His ability to manage pace and facilitate without forcing shots was a clear positive.
Otega Oweh scored 10 points and showed solid physicality and athleticism. He attacked downhill with force, absorbed contact, and gave consistent effort on the defensive end. While still developing as a shooter, his frame, toughness, and energy continue to give him value as a two-way wing prospect.
Mackenzie Mgbako led his team with 14 points and went 3-of-7 from three. He looked confident shooting off the catch and handled contact well inside. Defensive lapses and shot selection still linger, but the offensive tools were evident.
Hansen Yang scored 12 points and showed intriguing feel at 7 feet tall. He made quick passes, positioned well inside, and flashed soft touch. His blend of size and composure makes him a potential long-term development big.
Alijah Martin scored 10 points, hitting 2-of-5 from three. He found clean looks in rhythm, attacked closeouts, and played within himself offensively. His strength and compact frame allow him to compete physically, though questions about his consistency remain.
Dink Pate scored 11 but showed ongoing inconsistency in reads, shot decisions, and defensive effort.
Alex Toohey turned in one of the day’s most efficient shooting displays, finishing with 15 points on 5-of-7 from the field and 3-of-5 from three. He moved well off the ball, found space within the flow of the offense, and knocked down shots when open. Questions remain about his ability to create against length and defend in space, but his polish and shooting feel stood out in a structured setting.
Game 2 Standouts: Reynaud, Haggerty, and Peavy Impress
Among the most notable Game 2 performers was Maxime Reynaud, who capitalized on strong measurements to deliver one of the most polished outings of the day. Measuring just over 7’1” with fluid mobility and a soft shooting touch, the Stanford big man backed it up with 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting in just over 24 minutes. Reynaud finished around the rim with composure, knocked down short jumpers, and consistently found space as a pick-and-pop or duck-in option. His ability to function as a stretch big with feel and offensive skill helped set him apart from the rest of the frontcourt group.
Though not a shot-blocker by nature, Reynaud showed decent timing defensively and rotated effectively in drop coverage. What impressed most was his balance and control — he never looked rushed or overmatched, even in traffic. With size, touch, and a high basketball IQ, Reynaud’s stock is trending upward as teams search for modern centers who can space the floor and operate within structure.
Combo guard PJ Haggerty followed Reynaud with one of the day’s most assertive guard performances. The 6’3” guard poured in 18 points in 27 minutes on 7-of-13 shooting, including 1-of-2 from three. He attacked downhill with confidence, used his body well to create angles, and absorbed contact in the paint. Haggerty’s physicality as a scorer popped — he consistently played through defenders, never shied from contact, and used his frame to carve out space.
Beyond the scoring, he added 3 assists and 7 rebounds, showcasing his ability to impact the game beyond just putting points on the board. He wasn’t overly ball-dominant but found ways to stay aggressive without disrupting rhythm. Haggerty’s improved pacing, decision-making, and shot discipline were noticeable, and his ability to toggle between lead guard and off-ball roles will appeal to teams seeking a rotational combo with toughness.
Micah Peavy put together a highly productive and athletic performance, finishing with 12 points and 8 rebounds in 23 minutes. The 6’7” wing was everywhere — slashing, rebounding, defending multiple positions, and bringing a physical edge throughout the scrimmage. Peavy’s explosiveness in space, transition speed, and vertical pop were all on display. He scored off backdoor cuts, offensive rebounds, and decisive drives, maximizing each possession.
Though his outside shot remains unproven, Peavy continues to fill the gaps as a glue-guy wing — competing on the glass, staying active off-ball, and rotating well defensively. His athletic tools, defensive switchability, and motor give him a defined lane to an NBA role, especially for teams looking to round out wing depth with energy and versatility.
Another standout was Aussie bigman Lachlan Olbrich, who posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in just under 24 minutes. The 6’10” forward showed good length, solid mobility, and a knack for finding soft spots in the defense as a finisher. He played with energy around the rim, rebounded well in traffic, and moved without the ball to create clean looks. While Olbrich struggled at times defending in space and on switches, his motor, activity, and production in the paint made him one of the more quietly effective bigs of the game.
Ryan Nembhard delivered a poised and productive performance with 13 points and 8 assists, showcasing the same high-IQ, steady floor game that’s defined his college career. He controlled tempo, ran pick-and-rolls smoothly, and made clean reads under pressure. His touch around the rim and midrange floater game were both on display, and he looked comfortable managing the offense.
But size remains a real hurdle. At barely 6 feet tall without elite length or athleticism, Nembhard faces a tough path to stick in an NBA backcourt. He’ll likely be targeted defensively and may struggle to create separation against longer athletes at the next level. Still, his feel, maturity, and decision-making can’t be discounted — and with his older brother Andrew already succeeding as a second-rounder, teams may give Ryan a similar chance as a late-draft or two-way option. The margin for error is thin, but he helped himself with a strong showing that reinforced his identity as a polished game manager.
Mark Sears didn’t have his best shooting day — finishing just 4-of-13 from the field — but impressed with his command of the offense and ability to set the table. He handed out 7 assists and kept the ball moving with pace and poise. Sears ran the point better than many expected, balancing ball security with quick reads in the pick-and-roll. He made the right plays more often than not and didn’t let his shooting struggles affect his composure. For teams evaluating him more as a lead facilitator than a score-first guard, this showing helped build confidence in his floor general potential.
Together, Reynaud, Haggerty, Peavy, Olbrich, Nembhard, and Sears stood out by showcasing translatable traits in a structured, competitive setting. Reynaud’s size and shooting give him clear stretch-big value; Haggerty impressed with his scoring toughness, rebounding, and control; Peavy brought athleticism and all-around impact; Nembhard showed polish and poise despite physical limitations; Sears reinforced his case as a steady offensive organizer; and Olbrich made his presence felt as a productive, high-motor frontcourt piece.
