Vonleh reflects on time at IU, looks ahead to future at NBA draft combine
Noah Vonleh isn’t participating in drills at this week’s NBA draft combine in Chicago, but the Big Ten freshman of the year did make some waves this morning with his hand and wingspan measurements.
According to Draft Express, Vonleh had the second longest hand length ever measured at the combine at 11.75″. Here are Vonleh’s other measurements:
Height (without shoes): 6’8″
Weight: 247 pounds
Wingspan: 7’4.75″
Standing reach: 9’0″
The former IU big man also sat down with NBA TV to answer some questions, which we’ve transcribed below:
On why he decided to leave Indiana after one season:
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA. The opportunity was there, so I said, ‘why not take it?’ I sat down with some of my family and my mentor and discussed it out and we decided at the end of the day that it was the best decision.”
On whether he was surprised to have the option of leaving after one season:
“I knew it was going to be sometime quick after one or two years. I’m glad it came after one year. I just went in the gym every day and worked hard and now I’ve got this opportunity in front of me.”
On the one skill set that he knows will translate from college to the NBA:
“The skill that will allow me to play right away I think is rebounding. I’m a very great rebounder. I’m real versatile. Some people know that and some people don’t know that I can handle the ball and create for others and do different things like that.”
On adjusting to NBA life off the court:
“It’s going to be tough. I’m 18 years old. I’m going to need a lot of help. Hopefully some of the older guys on the team will take me under their wing and show me the ropes of the NBA and just go from there.”
On whether he expects to face up more in the NBA:
“I definitely see that as being an advantage. I can step out and take guys off the dribble on the perimeter. If I have a smaller guy on me, I can post him up and score around the basket, score in different ways.”
On playing under Tom Crean and how that will prepare him for the NBA:
“Coach Crean, he’s a great coach. He pushes his guys past their limits. I’ll definitely be prepared for any team, whatever they throw at me in the NBA.”
On whether the story of him going to play basketball at the YMCA while on a family vacation to Disney World is true:
“Yes sir. I went to the park and went on a couple of rides with them but I felt like I needed to get in the gym because I had a couple of AAU tournaments for the live period coming up the next week. So I just wanted to be ready.”
On where that drive to work comes from:
“I think I got that hard work for my mother because she works two jobs and she tries to provide for me and my sisters. I think I just look at her and that’s where I get my work ethic from.”
On the most important thing he learned at Indiana:
“I learned a lot from Coach Crean on the basketball court, just how to play in NBA offenses and things like that. Being more of a leader on the court.”
Filed to: Noah Vonleh