5 players who helped their draft stock most at the NBA Draft Combine

The NBA Draft Combine saw several players fighting to improve their draft position put up impressive performances and get noticed.

The NBA Draft Combine took place this week in Chicago as the NBA begins to turn its attention quietly to the NBA Draft. Yes, most of the attention is still on the playoffs and the Conference Finals, with only Tuesday’s brief aside at the NBA Draft Lottery, but the NBA Draft will be here sooner than everyone thinks.

The NBA Draft Combine does not get the same fanfare as its NFL cousin. Many of the top prospects opted not to show up. Only Markelle Fultz and De’Aaron Fox attended the Combine in Chicago and neither participated in any of the on-court activities. They only participated in interviews with various teams.

In fact, many teams find more value in the 30-minute interviews the league sets up with the prospects than any of the drills, skills tests and scrimmages that take place during the two-day event.

For players that are on the fringes of the first round or the Draft itself, every opportunity on the court is an opportunity to get noticed. And with nearly every big wig in the NBA in one place, this is a huge chance to impress.

The NBA may have become more analytical, but there is still a bit of the eye test that occurs. And a first impression or a last impression can still be powerful in the inexact science of drafting.

To be sure, several players did not let this opportunity go by. Whether it was impressing in one of the five-on-five scrimmages that took place or showing off impressive athleticism in the skills and agility tests, players took advantage and got recognized.

It is hard to say how much of any of this will translate — I mean, how much does running around the lane really tell anyone? — but doing well in a league-designed test has to help, right?

Several players stood out in the last two days as they try to get some notice and climb draft boards with the NBA Draft not too far off on the horizon.

Here are the five players who helped themselves most.