Brendan Haywood
C, UNC · 2001 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #20 (CLE)
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 #4 overall (#11 at his position), but he lasted until pick #20: teams let him slide 16 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
21.6 years old on draft night (born 1979-11-27).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 47.6% of the time (286 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at UNC.
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.
- Availability
Played 816 games over 13 NBA seasons (~77% 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 | 13 |
| Games | 816 |
| Minutes / game | 22.9 |
| Points / game | 6.8 |
| Rebounds / game | 6.0 |
| Assists / game | 0.5 |
| Win Shares (career) | 43.8 |
| VORP | 2.9 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -1.4 |
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 21 | 47.6% n=286 | |
| 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", 264 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 21.6 |
| Born | Greensboro NC |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #4 overall (#11 C) |
Picked around him 2001 redraft
| 17 | Michael Bradley | redraft #31 |
| 18 | Jason Collins | redraft #21 |
| 19 | Zach Randolph | redraft #7 |
| 21 | Joseph Forte | redraft #42 |
| 22 | Jeryl Sasser | redraft #36 |
| 23 | Brandon Armstrong | redraft #44 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.