Alexis Ajinça
PF · 2008 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #20 (CHA)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: pre-draft rankings, path to the draft, availability. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #36 (#10 at his position); he went #20, 16 spots earlier. Teams were higher on him than the media board was.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 33.8% of the time (272 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
International prospect, born in Saint Étienne, France.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 41.7% of the time (151 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 293 games over 7 NBA seasons (~51% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Age
20.1 years old on draft night (born 1988-05-06).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.4% of the time (246 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 numbers
| Seasons | 7 |
| Games | 293 |
| Minutes / game | 13.3 |
| Points / game | 5.3 |
| Rebounds / game | 3.9 |
| Assists / game | 0.5 |
| Win Shares (career) | 7.5 |
| VORP | -0.8 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -2.8 |
The 2008 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2008 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 Taken 10+ picks before ESPN's rank | 33.8% n=272 | |
| Path to the draft International | 41.7% n=151 | |
| Age 20 | 50.4% n=246 | |
| 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' 1", 240 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 20.1 |
| Born | Saint Étienne, France |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #36 overall (#10 PF) |
Picked around him 2008 redraft
| 17 | Roy Hibbert | redraft #18 |
| 18 | JaVale McGee | redraft #15 |
| 19 | J.J. Hickson | redraft #25 |
| 21 | Ryan Anderson | redraft #11 |
| 22 | Courtney Lee | redraft #16 |
| 23 | Kosta Koufos | redraft #19 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.