Aleksej Pokusevski
PF · 2020 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #17 (MIN)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: availability. Details below.
- Availability
Played 168 games over 4 NBA seasons (~51% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #18 (#4 at his position), close to where he went (#17).
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
18.5 years old on draft night (born 2001-12-26).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.7% of the time (300 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
PF (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.2% of the time (570 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 | 4 |
| Games | 168 |
| Minutes / game | 20.4 |
| Points / game | 7.5 |
| Rebounds / game | 4.6 |
| Assists / game | 1.9 |
| Win Shares (career) | -0.2 |
| VORP | -1.0 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -3.1 |
Career Win Shares + VORP (Basketball-Reference, through 2025-26) + 2026-27 estimates from ESPN season stats.
The 2020 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2020 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 Under 20 | 51.7% n=300 | |
| Position Forward | 51.2% n=570 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 7' 0", 195 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 18.5 |
| Born | 2001-12-26 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #18 overall (#4 PF) |
Picked around him 2020 redraft
| 14 | Aaron Nesmith | redraft #26 |
| 15 | Cole Anthony | redraft #20 |
| 16 | Isaiah Stewart | redraft #17 |
| 18 | Josh Green | redraft #27 |
| 19 | Saddiq Bey | redraft #10 |
| 20 | Precious Achiuwa | redraft #22 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.