Report: Yoeli Childs, Sam Merrill Invited To 2020 NBA Draft Combine
Jul 26, 2020, 3:53 PM | Updated: Apr 26, 2021, 3:09 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former BYU forward Yoeli Childs and Utah State guard Sam Merrill have been invited to the 2020 NBA Draft Combine.
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The Combine was originally scheduled for May 21-24 in Chicago but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Combine usually begins two days after the NBA Draft Lottery. According to Stadium and The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Lottery has been scheduled for August 20.
It’s still unknown if the Combine will take place this year. According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, the league sent out around 60 invites to prospects and are asking to fill out questionnaire’s by July 31.
I don't have an official number, but based on which players I'm told have and haven't gotten emails, I'd guess that around 60 invitations went out today. Likely more can/will go out as players decline their invite or fail to respond by July 31st.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) July 26, 2020
Yoeli Childs
The South Jordan, Utah native had a tremendous career at BYU. He was named first-team All-WCC three times in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Childs averaged 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 119 career games in a BYU uniform. Last season, Childs played in 19 games after receiving a nine-game suspension by the NCAA to start the season and suffered a hand injury. He finished with an average of 22.2 points and 9 rebounds per game.
I’d to go to war with this man any day✊🏽 #CougarForLife https://t.co/fZHxjGD5XH
— Yoeli Childs (@yochilds22) July 14, 2020
According to NBA Draft Room, Childs is the No. 87 ranked prospect in the draft.
Sam Merrill
The Bountiful, Utah native is considered one of the best to ever play at Utah State. Merrill was named Mountain West Conference Tournament MVP twice in 2019-20, Mountain West Player of the Year in 2019 and two-time first-team All-Mountain West.
Merrill’s last game in a Utah State uniform will never be forgotten by Aggie fans when he drilled the game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds to help Utah State beat No. 5 ranked San Diego State in the Mountain West Conference Tournament Championship.
"I didn't come to Utah State to win quarterfinal games, I came here to win Conference Championships!" #LeaveNoDoubt pic.twitter.com/v0SYVJlksl
— Sam Merrill (@smerrill05) March 17, 2019
In 131 games at Utah State, Merrill averaged 16.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Last season, Merrill racked up 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.
According to NBA Draft Room, Merrill is the 78th ranked prospect in the draft.
Click here for the full list of potential participants.
