Australian teenagers Ben Simmons and Thon Maker are about to enter the NBA's version of a high-stakes poker game.
Simmons will keep his cards close to his chest.
Maker is expected to lay his out on the table.
The game of strategy involves the five-day NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, beginning on Wednesday (Thursday AEST).
It is where NBA coaches, executives and scouts will observe an elite crop of about 70 young basketball players hoping to be selected at next month's NBA Draft.
The players will be measured, weighed, put through a battery of drills, tested for strength and agility, placed in head-to-head scrimmages and interviewed.
Simmons, 19, from Melbourne will not attend the combine.
As the consensus No.1 pick, the 208cm tall Simmons has too much to lose if he does not perform well.
Maker, the 19-year-old Sudanese-born, Australian-raised 216cm tall freakish athlete who skipped US college basketball, will attend the combine as he has a lot to gain by impressing NBA teams.
ESPN NBA Draft analyst Chad Ford has Maker pencilled in as the 26th pick and gives him a mixed report card, questioning Maker's strength, basketball IQ and describes him as being "a little selfish".
On the positive, Ford says Maker "plays with a high motor", is "skinny, but tough", a "good shooter with three point range" and "runs the floor well".
Simmons could be the only major no-show in Chicago, with No.2 projected pick - Duke forward Brandon Ingram - and other top hopefuls including Oklahoma shooting guard Buddy Hield, expected to attend.
Simmons' gamble could backfire if Ingram, in particular, impresses.
Ingram might elect to take the strategy of limiting what he does in Chicago.
That is what Australian Dante Exum did in 2014 when he showcased his strengths - speed, agility, jumping ability and body measurements - but declined to shoot the ball or scrimmage.
Ford describes Simmons as "a versatile forward who can score in a variety of ways", "very high basketball IQ", "excellent passer" and "explosive athlete".
On the negative, Simmons "lacks confidence in his jump shot", "can be a little too unselfish" and "doesn't always play with a great motor".
Simmons will eventually have to show his cards with pre-draft workouts with teams, but will likely restrict his visits to the holders of the top two picks.
The NBA's ping pong ball style draft lottery will be held next Tuesday, with this season's two worst teams, the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers, with the best chance to win the top pick.
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