Alton Ford
PF, Houston · 2001 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #51 (PHO)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: pre-draft rankings. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #14 overall (#29 at his position), but he lasted until pick #51: teams let him slide 37 spots past that ranking.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 68.6% of the time (194 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
20.1 years old on draft night (born 1981-05-29).
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.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at Houston.
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
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.
- Availability
Played 73 games over 3 NBA seasons (~30% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
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 steal for him.
Career numbers
| Seasons | 3 |
| Games | 73 |
| Minutes / game | 7.2 |
| Points / game | 2.5 |
| Rebounds / game | 1.7 |
| Assists / game | 0.2 |
| Win Shares (career) | 0.8 |
| VORP | -0.6 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -6.4 |
The 2001 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2001 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 Slid 10+ picks past ESPN's rank | 68.6% n=194 | |
| Age 20 | 50.4% n=246 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| 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 | 6' 9", 265 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 20.1 |
| Born | Houston, Texas |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #14 overall (#29 PF) |
Picked around him 2001 redraft
| 48 | Antonis Fotsis | redraft #38 |
| 49 | Ken Johnson | redraft #49 |
| 50 | Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje | redraft #37 |
| 52 | Andre Hutson | redraft #54 |
| 53 | Jarron Collins | redraft #23 |
| 54 | Kenny Satterfield | redraft #46 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.