Brian Cook
PF, Illinois · 2003 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #24 (LAL)
Why he went too high Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a risk: his profile looked like a typical pick in his range. The gap opened after the draft, on the field.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #30 (#8 at his position), close to where he went (#24).
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
22.6 years old on draft night (born 1980-12-04).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.9% of the time (339 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at Illinois.
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 421 games over 9 NBA seasons (~57% 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 bust for him.
Career numbers
| Seasons | 9 |
| Games | 421 |
| Minutes / game | 13.4 |
| Points / game | 5.5 |
| Rebounds / game | 2.6 |
| Assists / game | 0.6 |
| Win Shares (career) | 10.2 |
| VORP | 0.5 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -1.6 |
The 2003 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2003 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 22 | 51.9% n=339 | |
| 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' 11", 234 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 22.6 |
| Born | 1980-12-04 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #30 overall (#8 PF) |
Picked around him 2003 redraft
| 21 | Boris Diaw | redraft #7 |
| 22 | Zoran Planinić | redraft #35 |
| 23 | Travis Outlaw | redraft #24 |
| 25 | Carlos Delfino | redraft #17 |
| 26 | Ndudi Ebi | redraft #39 |
| 27 | Kendrick Perkins | redraft #19 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.