Cheikh Samb
C · 2006 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #51 (LAL)
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.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #54 (#7 at his position), close to where he went (#51).
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
21.7 years old on draft night (born 1984-10-22).
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
International prospect, born in Senegal.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 41.7% of the time (151 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 22 games over 2 NBA seasons (~13% 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 | 2 |
| Games | 22 |
| Minutes / game | 5.2 |
| Points / game | 1.0 |
| Rebounds / game | 1.4 |
| Assists / game | 0.0 |
| Win Shares (career) | -0.1 |
| VORP | -0.2 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -9.1 |
The 2006 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2006 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 21 | 47.6% n=286 | |
| Path to the draft International | 41.7% n=151 | |
| 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' 1", 215 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 21.7 |
| Born | Senegal |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #54 overall (#7 C) |
Picked around him 2006 redraft
| 48 | Vladimir Veremeenko | redraft #55 |
| 49 | Leon Powe | redraft #18 |
| 50 | Ryan Hollins | redraft #21 |
| 52 | Guillermo Díaz | redraft #52 |
| 53 | Yotam Halperin | redraft #56 |
| 54 | Hassan Adams | redraft #32 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.