Nearly 80 Prospects at the NBA Combine and One Chicago Kid Already Changed His Life Story

Almost 80 college basketball players are grinding through the South Loop right now at the NBA combine, fighting for just 60 roster spots in next month's draft. The odds? Brutal. But a handful of local Chicago talent isn't sweating it. These guys believe they belong in the league, and some of them have the tape to back it up.

The Illini Connection Is Real

Three players from Illinois' Final Four run made the trip to the combine: Andrej Stojakovic, Kylan Boswell, and Keaton Wagler. Wagler is a likely top ten pick, which is absolutely wild when you consider where he was a year ago. The kid wasn't even heavily recruited coming out of high school. Now he's talking about being one of the first names called in the next draft.

"Definitely super, super low. Unexpected for sure," Wagler said about his pre-college draft stock. "I think it just goes in to show how hard I worked this year, and a tribute to coaching staff and teammates for allowing me to showcase my talent and put a lot of trust in me ... and the confidence I had in myself knowing that I can play against anyone in the world."

Stojakovic, meanwhile, is facing one of those good problems nobody feels bad about. He's got a decision to make: stay in the draft or go back to an Illini squad loaded with returning talent from that Final Four run. "I think I'm in a special situation where my option to go back to school is one of a kind," Stojakovic said. "Not many people in this combine have the option to go back to a Final Four team with most of the guys returning. As hard as the decision will be, I'm excited because it's a good problem."

Other Chicago Guys Making Noise

Joliet native Jeremy Fears Jr., Northwestern star and Glenview native Nick Martinelli, and Morez Johnson Jr. from Thornton Township are also testing the combine waters. Johnson transferred from Illinois and won a national title with Michigan. His stock has risen during the combine, and he's feeling confident about his versatility at the next level.

"Just being versatile. Someone just asked me about being able to play the four and five. I think I'm capable of doing both at the next level," Johnson said. "I think that's what's going to help me have a long-lasting career in the NBA."

Johnson hasn't met with his hometown Bulls yet, though Chicago holds the 4th and 15th picks in the draft. Other players at the combine have already met with the franchise, including some likely targets at the fourth pick like Caleb Wilson, Cam Boozer, and Darryn Peterson. For a kid from Thornton Township, being back in Chicago for this moment is exactly what you dream about growing up.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.