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Tyler Bey is hoping to be the next Colorado Buffalo to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft. At the NBA Draft Combine on Saturday, Bey set some records and certainly helped himself with such impressive athleticism.
Bey, who measured in at an official 6’7 with a 7’1 wingspan, had the highest ever vertical for a forward. His 43.5” inch vertical is absolutely phenomenal. It was the highest leap out any of the 2020 prospects, better than anyone in the 2019 class, and was quite close to Kenny Gregory’s record 45.5” jump.
Source: Colorado’s Tyler Bey set an NBA combine record for forwards with a 43.5 inch max vertical:
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) October 31, 2020
6’6” without shoes
6’7” with shoes
7’1.25” wingspan
8’9.5” standing reach
37.0” no step vert
43.5” max vert
5.0% body fat
Bey having such a high vert and wide wingspan is critical for teams who hope he can be a power forward. Undersized players like Bey need to very long and very athletic in order to protect the rim at a high level, and though he needs refining as a team defender, this is a good sign for his long-term potential.
The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year expects to hear his name somewhere between the late first and early second rounds. Any team could use his abilities as a wing defender and interior finisher, so the range of possibilities is numerous. Watch out in particular for the Oklahoma City Thunder (26th pick), Toronto Raptors (29th) and Dallas Mavericks (31st).