Buddy Hield
SG, Oklahoma · 2016 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #6 (NOP)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: availability. Details below.
- Availability
Played 771 games over 11 NBA seasons (~85% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #8 (#1 at his position), close to where he went (#6).
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
22.5 years old on draft night (born 1993-12-17).
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 Oklahoma.
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.
- Length
Wingspan 6' 9" at 6' 5" tall (+4.0 in.), per ESPN's draft profile.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.2% of the time (217 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.
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 | 11 |
| Games | 771 |
| Minutes / game | 27.4 |
| Points / game | 14.5 |
| Rebounds / game | 4.0 |
| Assists / game | 2.4 |
| Win Shares (career) | 28.8 |
| VORP | 11.7 |
| Box Plus/Minus | 0.2 |
| 2026-27 so far | 3 GP, 7.3 PPG (ESPN) |
Career Win Shares + VORP (Basketball-Reference, through 2025-26) + 2026-27 estimates from ESPN season stats.
The 2016 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2016 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 | |
| Length +2 to +5 in. | 50.2% n=217 | |
| 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' 5", 212 lbs |
| Wingspan | 6' 9" |
| Age on draft night | 22.5 |
| Born | Freeport, GB |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #8 overall (#1 SG) |
Picked around him 2016 redraft
| 3 | Jaylen Brown | redraft #4 |
| 4 | Dragan Bender | redraft #33 |
| 5 | Kris Dunn | redraft #14 |
| 7 | Jamal Murray | redraft #3 |
| 8 | Marquese Chriss | redraft #23 |
| 9 | Jakob Poeltl | redraft #6 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.