D.J. White
PF, Indiana · 2008 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #29 (DET)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: availability. Details below.
- Availability
Played 138 games over 6 NBA seasons (~28% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #35 (#9 at his position), close to where he went (#29).
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
21.8 years old on draft night (born 1986-08-31).
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 Indiana.
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.
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 | 6 |
| Games | 138 |
| Minutes / game | 15.3 |
| Points / game | 5.9 |
| Rebounds / game | 3.2 |
| Assists / game | 0.6 |
| Win Shares (career) | 3.8 |
| VORP | 0.0 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -2.1 |
The 2008 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2008 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 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' 9", 240 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 21.8 |
| Born | Tuscaloosa, Ala. |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #35 overall (#9 PF) |
Picked around him 2008 redraft
| 26 | George Hill | redraft #6 |
| 27 | Darrell Arthur | redraft #30 |
| 28 | Donté Greene | redraft #39 |
| 30 | J.R. Giddens | redraft #45 |
| 31 | Nikola Peković | redraft #24 |
| 32 | Walter Sharpe | redraft #46 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.