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Former Miami center Dewan Hernandez earned an invite to this week’s NBA Combine after a strong showing in the NBA G League Elite Camp, which was held for the first time ever earlier this week. According to NBA.com, 11 players were invited back for Thursday’s NBA Combine after participating in a series of workouts and scrimmages, including Hernandez, UCF’s Tacko Fall, Florida State’s Terance Mann, Syracuse’s Oshae Brissett, Nevada’s Cody Martin, Tulsa’s DaQuan Jeffries, Auburn’s Jared Harper, Iowa’s Tyler Cook, Iowa State’s Marial Shayok, Mississippi State’s Reggie Perry and Ole Miss’ Terence Davis. Players were selected through polling of NBA executives in attendance.
The invitation to the official combine is a huge achievement for Hernandez, who didn’t play in any games for the Canes this year amid an eligibility review and subsequent ineligibility ruling by the NCAA. Hernandez continued to train with the team for much of the season, before withdrawing from UM at the end of January. The 6’11” Miami-native had this to say when interviewed by NBA.com:
“It’s go time,” Hernandez said. “It’s time to compete. I haven’t played in a year. NBA scouts want to see how I’ve developed my game, what I’ve worked on in my off time. I’ve gotten stronger. I’ve worked on my jump shot, my ballhandling, my finishing, my defense, my terminology on defense. It’s time to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Stay tuned to State of the U for updates on Hernandez’s performance at the NBA Combine later this week.