Dion Waiters
SG, Syracuse · 2012 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #4 (CLE)
Why he went too high Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a risk: his 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 #6 (#2 at his position), close to where he went (#4).
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
20.6 years old on draft night (born 1991-12-01).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.4% of the time (246 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at Syracuse.
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 6' 7" at 6' 4" tall (+3.0 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
SG (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 48.9% of the time (499 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 419 games over 8 NBA seasons (~64% 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 | 8 |
| Games | 419 |
| Minutes / game | 28.2 |
| Points / game | 13.1 |
| Rebounds / game | 2.6 |
| Assists / game | 2.8 |
| Win Shares (career) | 8.8 |
| VORP | -0.4 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -2.1 |
The 2012 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2012 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 20 | 50.4% n=246 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| Length +2 to +5 in. | 50.2% n=217 | |
| Position Guard | 48.9% n=499 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 4", 221 lbs |
| Wingspan | 6' 7" |
| Age on draft night | 20.6 |
| Born | Philadelphia, PA |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #6 overall (#2 SG) |
Picked around him 2012 redraft
| 1 | Anthony Davis | redraft #1 |
| 2 | Michael Kidd-Gilchrist | redraft #18 |
| 3 | Bradley Beal | redraft #5 |
| 5 | Thomas Robinson | redraft #30 |
| 6 | Damian Lillard | redraft #2 |
| 7 | Harrison Barnes | redraft #7 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.