Cole Aldrich
C, Kansas · 2010 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #11 (NOH)
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 #12 (#2 at his position), close to where he went (#11).
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 1988-10-31).
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 Kansas.
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 7' 5" at 6' 10" tall (+7.0 in.), per ESPN's draft profile.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.1% of the time (135 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 339 games over 8 NBA seasons (~52% 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 | 8 |
| Games | 339 |
| Minutes / game | 10.0 |
| Points / game | 3.1 |
| Rebounds / game | 3.3 |
| Assists / game | 0.5 |
| Win Shares (career) | 9.6 |
| VORP | 1.8 |
| Box Plus/Minus | 0.1 |
The 2010 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2010 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 | |
| Length +5 in. or more | 51.1% n=135 | |
| 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", 236 lbs |
| Wingspan | 7' 5" |
| Age on draft night | 21.7 |
| Born | Bloomington, Minn. |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #12 overall (#2 C) |
Picked around him 2010 redraft
| 8 | Al-Farouq Aminu | redraft #11 |
| 9 | Gordon Hayward | redraft #2 |
| 10 | Paul George | redraft #1 |
| 12 | Xavier Henry | redraft #32 |
| 13 | Ed Davis | redraft #9 |
| 14 | Patrick Patterson | redraft #10 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.