Caleb Houstan declines NBA Combine invite: What it could mean and what's next
Michigan wing Caleb Houstan reportedly declined an NBA Combine invite this week. This has naturally raised questions about what that means for his basketball-playing future. He and classmate Moussa Diabate declared for the NBA Draft process and can remove themselves or stay in by June 1. The combine runs May 16-22.
Diabate received a combine invite and many believe that will lead to him staying in. Houstan’s situation has brought up some questions about where he might wind up next.
Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress/ESPN has been as connected as it gets with the Houstan camp. He has broken news about him throughout his career, from his Michigan commitment to his draft declaration. After the combine list came out, Comments from him seem to point in a particular direction.
“Two players declined invites to the NBA Combine: Michigan’s Caleb Houstan and Iowa’s Kris Murray,” Givony tweeted Tuesday night. “For Houstan, there will now be a lot of speculation about promises and shut-downs, and rightfully so. Kris Murray may very well be headed back to Iowa.”
What does a shutdown or promise mean? Essentially, an NBA team could have pledged they would use a draft selection on him. If Houstan has that guarantee from a front office, it might make little sense to work out and showcase in front of other teams.
Houstan, who was a five-star signee and No. 10 prospect in the 2021 recruiting class, started every game at Michigan this season. He averaged 10.1 points, four rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. Houstan shot 38.4% from the field with a 35.5% mark from three-point range. He came into the season as a potential NBA lottery pick but did not appear on draft boards at year’s end.
Diabate was Michigan’s other five-star addition in 2021 and started 26 of 32 games for the Wolverines. He averaged nine points and six rebounds per game while shooting 52.4% from the floor.
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What’s next for Caleb Houstan, Moussa Diabate?
The draft promise or shutdown does not necessarily mean that Houstan is gone. He could have declined an invite due to getting the feedback he was hoping for, which could pave a path back to Michigan. Diabate has a better shot at blowing scouts away during a combine setting due to his size and athleticism. Athletic measurables are not something Houstan can necessarily hang his hat on, so it might not be the best showcase for him there.
Houstan was spotted working out in Vegas this week, so an injury does not seem to be keeping him away. Regardless, it has been a curious draft process for Michigan prospects. Fans and followers will get a better idea of what is going on when the June 1 deadline to withdraw passes.
If both Houstan and Diabate move on from Michigan, half of Michigan’s 2021 recruiting class will no longer be on the roster. Point guard Frankie Collins elected to enter the transfer portal after the addition of guard Jaelin Llewellyn. Collins committed to Arizona State shortly after.
Guard Kobe Bufkin, wing Isaiah Barnes and forward Will Tschetter remain from the 2021 cycle. Bufkin is expected to get the first look for the starting two-guard job. Barnes and Tschetter will look to crack the rotation after development years. The On3 Consensus rated the 2021 class No. 8 in the country and tops in the Big Ten.
