LBP sets a precedent with its first draft combine in PR

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rican Basketball League (LBP by its initials in Spanish) will hold its inaugural LBP Draft Combine, an initiative bringing together more than 150 players from various regions of Puerto Rico for evaluation by franchise owners and coaching staffs.

This event is part of a new model designed to strengthen the player selection process ahead of the upcoming season.

The combine will take place Sept. 13-17 across the East, South, North, and West regions, with an estimated participation of 30 to 50 players per region. Each participant will undergo various evaluation stages, including registration and physical measurements, aptitude tests, technical-tactical and skills drills, and a five-on-five showcase.

The results will be compiled to provide teams with comprehensive information on each player, allowing them to compare attributes such as height, weight, vertical leap, power, agility, movement and on-court performance. The LBP also plans to integrate some of the statistics into its digital platforms and maintain audiovisual material for teams to review.

“We want the draft process to be increasingly fair, organized, and transparent,” LPB CEO William López said. “With this combine, teams can evaluate players using consistent criteria and firsthand information, while we create an opportunity for new talent to showcase their skills and gain exposure within the league. Our goal is to establish this model as an annual event and continue strengthening basketball development in Puerto Rico.”

The combine begins on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. at Fernando “Rube” Hernández Coliseum in Gurabo. It will continue on Tuesday the 15th at Ángel “Cholo” Espada court in Salinas, on Wednesday the 16th at Sixto Escobar Auditorium in Barceloneta, and on Thursday the 17th at Ismael “Chavalillo” Delgado Coliseum in Aguada. The last three sessions will begin at 7 p.m.

The LBP Draft Combine will be open to the public free of charge, allowing fans, family members, and basketball enthusiasts to attend and get a close look at the players seeking an opportunity in the league. The event will also be broadcast via the LPB’s official Facebook and YouTube channels. For full details, schedules, and updates, the public can follow @ligalbp.