Summary

Retrospective review of NBA combine scores as a predictive measure of lower limb surgery; Findings suggest certain combine scores correlate with future lower limb surgery in NBA athletes.

Abstract

Introduction

The NBA draft combine is an athletic testing event showcasing athleticism and skill of selected athletes across the world. No research to date has investigated the relationship between NBA combine scores and future injury requiring surgery. The purpose of this study was to correlate NBA combine scores with future surgical lower limb injury to determine if NBA combine scores can be a predictive measure.

Methods

A retrospective review of NBA surgical lower limb injuries was performed using a data set covering ten consecutive NBA seasons (2010-2020). All NBA combine data was obtained through the official NBA combine scores website. NBA combine data was matched to injury list and compared against non-injured control, described using means and standard deviations. Differences were evaluated using independent t-tests, with an a priori level of significance at p < 0.05.

Results

A total of 27,105 injury transactions were reported and a total of 130 players were identified who had undergone lower limb surgical management. There was no statistically significant difference in anthropometric stats (weight, body fat %, height). Lane agility time, three quarter sprint, and max bench press also showed no differences. However, standing vertical leap and max vertical leap showed statistically significant differences, with values increased in injured group. Mean standing vertical was 29.08 inches (S.D. = 3.08) in non-injured and 29.92 inches (S.D. = 3.06) in injured group. Mean max vertical was 34.21 inches (S.D. = 3.69) in non-injured and 35.16 inches (S.D. = 3.61) in injured group. Knee injuries (80.0%) were most prevalent, followed by ankle (8.5%), calf (7.7%), and thigh (3.8%). Knee surgeries consisted of general surgery on knee (42.3%), meniscal surgery (20.2%), arthroscopic knee surgery (18.3%), ACL reconstruction (15.4%), and patellar tendon repair (3.8%).

Discussion

In the NFL, Brophy et. al found combine grading correlated with length of career. In the NBA, we provide a novel way to understand combine scores and injury: our study demonstrates standing and max vertical leap are correlated with players that underwent lower leg surgery in their career. Understanding the mechanism behind this difference requires future research; for instance, Cassinat et. al determined more minutes per game (odds ratio [OR] = 1.13) and greater usage rate (OR= 1.02) to be associated with lower extremity surgical intervention.

Location of lower limb injury was consistent with previous research, in which Cassinat et. al found higher incidence of knee surgical intervention (0.23 per 1000 athletic exposure events [AE]) than ankle (0.04 AE) across 1153 NBA injuries.

Conclusions

Increased NBA combine scores of standing and maximum vertical leap may be related to future lower limb injury requiring surgical management among basketball players. The knee remains the most commonly injured joint with the majority of knee surgeries performed arthroscopically addressing meniscal pathology. Further research is required to strengthen the relationship between NBA combine measurements and injury, including analyzing play-style in conjunction with combine scores and preventative training measures.