Ausar Thompson
SG · 2023 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #5 (DET)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a steal: his age, school, testing and position profile looked like a typical pick in his range. The gap opened after the draft, on the field.
The 2023 class is only 3 seasons in, so this verdict can still change a lot.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #5 (#1 at his position), close to where he went (#5).
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
20.4 years old on draft night (born 2003-01-30).
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
SG (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 48.9% of the time (499 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 199 games over 4 NBA seasons (~61% 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 numberslive
| Seasons | 4 |
| Games | 199 |
| Minutes / game | 24.7 |
| Points / game | 9.6 |
| Rebounds / game | 5.8 |
| Assists / game | 2.5 |
| Win Shares (career) | 11.5 |
| VORP | 3.6 |
| Box Plus/Minus | 0.9 |
| 2026-27 so far | 2 GP, 7.5 PPG (ESPN) |
Career Win Shares + VORP (Basketball-Reference, through 2025-26) + 2026-27 estimates from ESPN season stats.
The 2023 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2023 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 20 | 50.4% n=246 | |
| Position Guard | 48.9% n=499 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 7", 204 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 20.4 |
| Born | 2003-01-30 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #5 overall (#1 SG) |
Picked around him 2023 redraft
| 2 | Brandon Miller | redraft #10 |
| 3 | Scoot Henderson | redraft #39 |
| 4 | Amen Thompson | redraft #2 |
| 6 | Anthony Black | redraft #11 |
| 7 | Bilal Coulibaly | redraft #34 |
| 8 | Jarace Walker | redraft #30 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.