Dante Cunningham
PF, Villanova · 2009 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #33 (POR)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: availability. Details below.
- Availability
Played 715 games over 10 NBA seasons (~87% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #58 (#14 at his position); he went #33, 25 spots earlier. So teams were actually higher on him than the media board was; everyone underrated him.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 33.8% of the time (272 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
22.2 years old on draft night (born 1987-04-22).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.9% of the time (339 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at Villanova.
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 steal for him.
Career numbers
| Seasons | 10 |
| Games | 715 |
| Minutes / game | 20.8 |
| Points / game | 5.8 |
| Rebounds / game | 3.7 |
| Assists / game | 0.7 |
| Win Shares (career) | 24.9 |
| VORP | 1.1 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -1.7 |
The 2009 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2009 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 Taken 10+ picks before ESPN's rank | 33.8% n=272 | |
| Age 22 | 51.9% n=339 | |
| 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' 8", 227 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 22.2 |
| Born | Silver Springs, MD |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #58 overall (#14 PF) |
Picked around him 2009 redraft
| 30 | Christian Eyenga | redraft #48 |
| 31 | Jeff Ayres | redraft #31 |
| 32 | Jermaine Taylor | redraft #44 |
| 34 | Sergio Llull | redraft #51 |
| 35 | DaJuan Summers | redraft #46 |
| 36 | Sam Young | redraft #34 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.