NBA teams now have one more variable to consider when taking a look at Robert Upshaw near the end of the first round.
Already possessing one of the largest off-court files in the entire draft class, another flag in Upshaw's profile was raised at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago last month. Standard medical testing at the event revealed an issue with Upshaw's heart, according to a report from DraftExpress.
For the time being, all of Upshaw's individual workouts with teams have been postponed, and his individual training has been put on pause. Further blood testing has been requested by NBA doctors to determine the full extent of his medical condition, but Upshaw's agent, Bill Duffy, doesn't sound all that concerned.
"Robert and his family have been fully aware of his medical history," Duffy said in a statement. "Twice previously this was addressed by highly respected University cardiologists and Robert was subsequently cleared for all basketball activities."
The results from further NBA testing won't be known for a week, but Duffy expressed confidence that Upshaw will be fully cleared to resume workouts. Anything relating to the heart is understandably concerning for both player and team, and it's encouraging that the combine testing caught any potential issue.
This does stand to call Upshaw's already volatile draft stock further into question. With one of the best height, wingspan, standing reach, and hand size measurements, plus a ridiculous block rate at Washington, the appeal is obvious, but Upshaw was dismissed from two college programs during his time in the NCAA, and interviews were expected to be an important part of his pre-draft process.
Upshaw is ranked as the No. 30 prospect by DraftExpress and No. 38 by ESPN's Chad Ford, placing him firmly on the first-round bubble. If further medicals come back clear, he has the upside to be worth a gamble in the 20s for a team that believes in their player development system.
