A.J. Hammons
C, Purdue · 2016 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #46 (DAL)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: availability. Details below.
- Availability
Played 22 games over 1 NBA season (~27% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #45 (#9 at his position), close to where he went (#46).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.8% of the time (765 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
23.8 years old on draft night (born 1992-08-27).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 48.6% of the time (138 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at Purdue.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 53.2% of the time (1,015 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
C (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.1% of the time (182 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
Every line comes from data: Basketball-Reference career data; ESPN's draft profile; Wikidata birth dates. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a bust for him.
Career numberslive
| Seasons | 1 |
| Games | 22 |
| Minutes / game | 7.4 |
| Points / game | 2.2 |
| Rebounds / game | 1.6 |
| Assists / game | 0.2 |
| Win Shares (career) | 0.0 |
| VORP | -0.2 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -6.6 |
Career Win Shares + VORP (Basketball-Reference, through 2025-26) + 2026-27 estimates from ESPN season stats.
The 2016 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2016 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Within 10 picks of ESPN's rank | 51.8% n=765 | |
| Age 23 or older | 48.6% n=138 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| Position Center | 51.1% n=182 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 7' 0", 280 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 23.8 |
| Born | Carmel, IN |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #45 overall (#9 C) |
Picked around him 2016 redraft
| 43 | Zhou Qi | redraft #52 |
| 44 | Isaïa Cordinier | redraft #58 |
| 45 | Demetrius Jackson | redraft #37 |
| 47 | Jake Layman | redraft #29 |
| 48 | Paul Zipser | redraft #42 |
| 49 | Michael Gbinije | redraft #49 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.