NOVEMBER 09, 2012; Champaign, IL, USA: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Brandon Paul (3) moves the ball up the court during a game against the Colgate Raiders at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Ben Woloszyn-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Paul. 33.5″ standing vert. 39.5″ max vert.#NBACombine

— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) May 17, 2013

At the Combine, Paul recorded a time of 3.37 in the three-quarter drill, a time of 11.16 in the lane agility drill, and a time of 2.9 in the modified drill.

This was along side his standing vertical and max vertical jumps. He was only 4.5″ off of Shane Larkin who recorded the best max vert at the Combine.

Say whatever you want about BP3, but the twitter fans can out to support the former Illini guard.

@bp3 is a first rounder coming out of the combine. Sold. #nbacombine

— Matt Kirby (@mjk5025) May 18, 2013

I love Brandon Paul.Hoping the Bulls take a flyer.They’re talking him up on the draft combine now.

— CBE Fred (@cbefred) May 18, 2013

Even Illini teammate Tracy Abrams tweeted about Paul’s performance.

Proud of my bro @bp3 he putting on.

— Tracy Abrams (@1Abrams3) May 17, 2013

2013 NBA Draft Combine Measurements

Brandon Paul

• Height without shoes – 6′ 2.75″
• Height with shoes – 6′ 4″
• Weight – 201
• Wingspan – 6′ 10.25″
• Reach – 8′ 2″
• Body fat – 5.25
• Hand length – 8.5
• Hand width – 9.5

The 2013 NBA Draft Combine will take place from May 15 until May 19 and is being held in Chicago, Ill.  To view a complete schedule of the combine, click here.

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Jan. 31, 2013; East Lansing, MI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Brandon Paul (3) stands on court against the Michigan State Spartans during 1st half at Jack Breslin Students Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Austin: Brandon Paul, hands down. This is not because I am biased to the Illini. BP3 showed such inconsistency this past season. He would be great one game, terrible the next. All in all, he had a good season, but he needs to impress teams at the combine to take a chance with him. His talent is there, but the consistency is something he truly has lacked his entire career. I think that is what will scare most teams away is that the inconsistencies has not faded from his freshman year. The good games got better, yeah, but he was never able to find that steady season in his career at Illinois.

Ryan: Any player not named Nerlens Noel needs to be the most impressive player at the combine, as Noel seems to be the consensus #1 projected overall pick for the upcoming draft. Everyone else is simply vying for that #2 draft slot.

From an Illinois fans perspective Brandon Paul is the player that needs to impress the most at the NBA Combine because he is the only Illinois player invited to participate. Of course, as with any combine it’s only a glimpse at the athletic prowess any player possesses. In Brandon’s case, he has all the natural talent in the world. What he needs to show is consistency, and a brief showcase of his game at a combine isn’t the best place to achieve that end. While he is there, though, he would be best served to knock down as many shots as he can, and defend like there is no tomorrow so he shows that he has the “want to” on the defensive end that the NBA scouts in attendance will be looking to see.

Ricky: I’m probably going to be the only one not saying Brandon Paul, but Colorado State’s Colton Iverson is the player that needs to impress the most at the NBA Combine. Iverson made a name for himself in the NCAA Tournament and that is the sole reason why he got invited to the combine.

Iverson needs to make a name for himself the same way at the Combine. All the NBA coaches are going to look at Ben McLemore, Cody Zeller, and Nerlens Noel, but not Colton Iverson. This is why he needs to make some coaches say, “wow, what is the kid’s name?” If he can draw some interest, it will be huge for him in the draft.

What do you think, Illini nation? Who needs to be the most impressive at this year’s NBA Combine?

The Writing Illini staff includes lead editor Ricky Widmer along with staff writers, Austin Jabs and Ryan Kraemer.

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December 4, 2012; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Western Michigan Broncos forward Darius Paul (24) shoots the ball over Michigan Wolverines guard Nik Stauskas (11) in the second half at Crisler Center. Michigan won 73-41. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Ricky: The Illini received a huge improvement in the form of Darius Paul. Yes, I know, D Paul is the MAC Freshman of the year, but Paul will bring rebounding to the Fighting Illini next season. Paul averaged around 5.7 rebounds per game and that is more than anyone on Illinois last season.

The leading rebounder for the Illini was Nnanna Egwu with 4.9 RPG. Now, with Egwu and Paul, the Illini will have a stronger rebounding force in the paint next season.

Austin: I like the addition of Darius, especially given that he is the MAC freshman of the year, and he gets over ten points a game. He will be a good addition to the team, especially if Henry (which is purely rumor at this point) transfers. I like the move for him, as he wants to be like his brother.

Having someone like that, he will want to try and be better than BP3, so that will push him to work harder. I could see Darius Paul being a solid starter in the Big Ten, and I can see him averaging 15 a game in his first season in the Orange and Blue.

Ryan: First of all, to compare him to Brandon would be a folly. Sure, they share genetics, and the same last name, but that’s where the comparisons will most likely end. The younger Paul is a solid pickup for Illinois because he’s already proven he can produce at the Division 1 level, averaging 10.4 ppg and 5.7 rpg while earning MAC Freshman of the year honors for Western Michigan. Another reason this is a good pickup for Illinois is simple: his size. Darius is 6’8″, 220 pounds, and will fill a need for the Illini going forward.

Skilled big men are a premium commodity, and Groce has done a good job in securing this depth giving commitment. The final, and most important, reason this is a great pickup is that Groce, and Illinois, beat out fellow tournament programs Florida, Marquette, Miami (Fla.), Iowa State, and Missouri for his services. In order to take the next step as program, and to truly be viewed as elite, Illinois needs to win recruiting battles against these types of schools on a consistent basis.

What do you think, Illini nation? Where do you see Darius Paul fitting in the Illini next season?

The Writing Illini staff includes lead editor Ricky Widmer along with staff writers, Austin Jabs and Ryan Kraemer.

Follow Ricky on Twitter @RickyWidmer.

Follow Austin on Twitter @AustinJabs85.

Follow Ryan on Twitter @RPKraemer.

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