DeSagana Diop
C · 2001 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #8 (CLE)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: path to the draft. Details below.
- Path to the draft
International prospect, born in Senegal, Africa.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 41.7% of the time (151 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #2 (#9 at his position), close to where he went (#8).
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
19.4 years old on draft night (born 1982-01-30).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.7% of the time (300 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 601 games over 12 NBA seasons (~61% 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 bust for him.
Career numbers
| Seasons | 12 |
| Games | 601 |
| Minutes / game | 14.0 |
| Points / game | 2.0 |
| Rebounds / game | 3.7 |
| Assists / game | 0.4 |
| Win Shares (career) | 12.8 |
| VORP | 0.2 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -1.9 |
The 2001 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2001 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Path to the draft International | 41.7% n=151 | |
| Pre-draft rankings Within 10 picks of ESPN's rank | 51.8% n=765 | |
| Age Under 20 | 51.7% n=300 | |
| 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", 300 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 19.4 |
| Born | Senegal, Africa |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #2 overall (#9 C) |
Picked around him 2001 redraft
| 5 | Jason Richardson | redraft #8 |
| 6 | Shane Battier | redraft #4 |
| 7 | Eddie Griffin | redraft #22 |
| 9 | Rodney White | redraft #32 |
| 10 | Joe Johnson | redraft #3 |
| 11 | Kedrick Brown | redraft #28 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.