Former Cal Poly basketball player Kobe Sanders invited to 2025 NBA Draft Combine

Former Cal Poly guard Kobe Sanders was invited the 2025 NBA Draft combine, according to a list of participants released by the league.

The 6-foot-9 guard played four season at Cal Poly from 2020 to 2024 before transferring to Nevada for his fifth and final year of college eligibility.

Sanders was recruited by former head coach John Smith and saw his role gradually increase his first three years. In his senior year, he broke out and averaged 20 points, 4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. He was named an All-Big West Honorable Mention.

After the 2024 season, Cal Poly parted ways with Smith. Sanders entered the transfer portal and made the move to Reno, Nevada. As a member of the Wolfpack, Sanders averaged 16 points, 4.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game.

The NBA Draft Combine will take place from May 11-18 at Wintrust Arena and Marriott Marquis in Chicago.

If Sanders were to make an NBA roster next season, he would join David Nwaba as the only other Cal Poly basketball player to play in the NBA. Nwaba spent six seasons in the NBA, including stints with five different organizations.

What does Sanders bring as a player?

Sanders is a jumbo-sized play-making guard. At 6-foot-9 with adept passing and ball handling, Sanders contains a skill set that not many players have. He also can score in a variety of ways, from 3-point range to self-created shots in the mid-range. His efficiency carried over from Cal Poly to Nevada Reno, as he continued to shoot around 46% from the field.

Additionally, the San Diego native is a solid defender who has the length and size to defend a variety of positions.

For Sanders, the questions he will need to answer surround his athleticism and explosiveness. While a good mover for someone his size, he isn’t an exceptional athlete by NBA standards. What he lacks in physical traits, he will need to make up for in skill and feels for the game.

Sanders ranks 74th in ESPN’s top 100 big board rankings.