Chris Bell, standout forward for the Cal Bears, has launched his bid to impress NBA scouts as he competes in the NBA G-League Combine this weekend in Chicago. The intense three-day event began Friday and will wrap up Sunday, offering Bell and 43 other players a critical platform to showcase their skills in front of top NBA personnel.
The G-League Combine acts as a high-stakes proving ground where players display their on-court abilities and athleticism in timed drills and scrimmages. Bell, standing at 6-foot-7, is expected to highlight his lethal long-range shooting—a deadly weapon that earned him a 40 percent three-point shooting average last season.
Bell’s late-season performance was particularly impressive. During Cal’s final nine games, he scored 20 points or more five times and exploded for an average of 23.7 points over the last three games, sinking a scorching 55.6 percent from beyond the arc (making 15 of 27 threes). These standout stats give him momentum heading into the combine.
At the G-League Combine, players will be split into four teams of 11, competing in a series of five-on-five matchups under the watchful eyes of NBA executives. Bell has been assigned to Team 4, which also includes ACC talents Boobie Miller from SMU and Miami’s Tre Donaldson. The team is coached by a staff including Will Scott, Billy Donovan III, Marwan Sarhan, and Scott Machado.
In addition to gameplay, participants undergo athletic testing mirroring the NFL Combine, with measurements on shuttle runs, vertical jump, three-quarter-court sprints, wingspan, standing reach, and hand size. These metrics are crucial as NBA teams seek versatile athletes with elite physical traits.
The ultimate prize for Bell and select standout performers is an invitation to the NBA Draft Combine, beginning Sunday in Chicago. This gathering features the top 73 prospects preparing for the June 23-24 NBA Draft, where just 60 players will hear their names called.
This weekend is a pivotal moment for Bell’s professional aspirations — excelling here can elevate his status from a last-minute G-League invitee to a bona fide NBA Draft contender. His journey reflects the fiercely competitive nature of basketball talent pipelines and the fine margins between G-League hopefuls and NBA draftees.
Veteran sports journalist Jake Curtis, who covered Cal basketball extensively during his 27 years at the San Francisco Chronicle, highlights Bell’s development and shooting prowess as key factors that may sway scouts. Curtis notes Bell’s strong finish to the college season is a timely boost for his future prospects.
Nevada basketball fans and national observers alike will be watching closely as this weekend unfolds. Bell’s performance doesn’t just impact his career—it embodies the grit and determination fueling America’s next generation of basketball stars.
Stay tuned for updates as the NBA G-League Combine progresses, with results that could reshape the upcoming NBA Draft landscape.
