Chimezie Metu
C, USC · 2018 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #49 (SAS)
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 #46 (#4 at his position), close to where he went (#49).
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
21.3 years old on draft night (born 1997-03-22).
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
Played college basketball at USC.
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 260 games over 6 NBA seasons (~53% 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 | 6 |
| Games | 260 |
| Minutes / game | 13.7 |
| Points / game | 5.9 |
| Rebounds / game | 3.5 |
| Assists / game | 0.8 |
| Win Shares (career) | 5.7 |
| VORP | 0.3 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -1.6 |
Career Win Shares + VORP (Basketball-Reference, through 2025-26) + 2026-27 estimates from ESPN season stats.
The 2018 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2018 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 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 | 6' 10", 220 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 21.3 |
| Born | 1997-03-22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #46 overall (#4 C) |
Picked around him 2018 redraft
| 46 | De'Anthony Melton | redraft #18 |
| 47 | Svi Mykhailiuk | redraft #35 |
| 48 | Keita Bates-Diop | redraft #32 |
| 50 | Alize Johnson | redraft #40 |
| 51 | Tony Carr | redraft #60 |
| 52 | Vince Edwards | redraft #49 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.