NBA releases Combine participants, which surprisingly includes Zion Williamson, Ja Morant

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The league released the official list of NBA Draft Combine participants and it includes a few surprising names.

Zion Williamson, Ja Morant and R.J. Barrett - the expected top three picks in next month's draft - will all be in attendance in Chicago next week when the Combine begins on May 15. Unlike the NFL Draft Combine, it's unusual for the expected top picks to show up given they have little to prove and can't improve their stock. It's unlikely, and practically a given, that any of those three will participate in the measurements, athletic testing or scrimmage portion of the Combine. They could choose to speak with the media, and they'll also have a chance to meet with potential teams during the week in Chicago.

The Combine begins a day after the NBA Draft Lottery takes place in Chicago, so the Bulls will know whether they're in position to grab one of those top three players or if they'll need to set their sights on some of the other Combine participants. Those names include Virginia's De'Andre Hunter, Texas Tech's Jarrett Culver, North Carolina's Coby White and Vanderbilt's Darius Garland.

The Combine will also have some added importance to John Paxson and Gar Forman as the Bulls also have the No. 38 pick acquired in the Justin Holiday deal with the Grizzlies. The Combine's two days of scrimmaging usually include players drafted in that 30 to 40 range, so that will be something to keep an eye on for a Bulls team needing an influx of talent.

Here's the list of participants:

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