Damian Jones
C, Vanderbilt · 2016 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #30 (GSW)
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 #27 (#5 at his position), close to where he went (#30).
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
21.0 years old on draft night (born 1995-06-30).
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 Vanderbilt.
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' 4" at 7' 0" 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
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 279 games over 8 NBA seasons (~43% 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 | 8 |
| Games | 279 |
| Minutes / game | 13.6 |
| Points / game | 4.9 |
| Rebounds / game | 3.1 |
| Assists / game | 0.7 |
| Win Shares (career) | 11.3 |
| VORP | 1.0 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -1.0 |
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 21 | 47.6% n=286 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| Length +2 to +5 in. | 50.2% n=217 | |
| 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' 0", 244 lbs |
| Wingspan | 7' 4" |
| Age on draft night | 21.0 |
| Born | Baton Rouge, LA |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #27 overall (#5 C) |
Picked around him 2016 redraft
| 27 | Pascal Siakam | redraft #2 |
| 28 | Skal Labissière | redraft #26 |
| 29 | Dejounte Murray | redraft #9 |
| 31 | Deyonta Davis | redraft #30 |
| 32 | Ivica Zubac | redraft #5 |
| 33 | Cheick Diallo | redraft #21 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.