Deyonta Davis
PF, Michigan State · 2016 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #31 (BOS)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: pre-draft rankings. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #16 overall (#7 at his position), but he lasted until pick #31: teams let him slide 15 spots past that ranking.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 68.6% of the time (194 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
19.6 years old on draft night (born 1996-12-02).
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.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at Michigan State.
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' 3" at 6' 11" 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
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.
- Availability
Played 107 games over 3 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 | 3 |
| Games | 107 |
| Minutes / game | 12.1 |
| Points / game | 4.2 |
| Rebounds / game | 3.2 |
| Assists / game | 0.4 |
| Win Shares (career) | 3.6 |
| VORP | 0.0 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -2.1 |
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 Slid 10+ picks past ESPN's rank | 68.6% n=194 | |
| Age Under 20 | 51.7% n=300 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| Length +2 to +5 in. | 50.2% n=217 | |
| 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' 11", 237 lbs |
| Wingspan | 7' 3" |
| Age on draft night | 19.6 |
| Born | Muskegon, MI |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #16 overall (#7 PF) |
Picked around him 2016 redraft
| 28 | Skal Labissière | redraft #26 |
| 29 | Dejounte Murray | redraft #9 |
| 30 | Damian Jones | redraft #17 |
| 32 | Ivica Zubac | redraft #5 |
| 33 | Cheick Diallo | redraft #21 |
| 34 | Tyler Ulis | redraft #34 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.