Domantas Sabonis
PF, Gonzaga · 2016 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #11 (ORL)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: length. Details below.
- Length
Wingspan 6' 11" at 6' 10" tall (+1.0 in.), per ESPN's draft profile.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.2% of the time (73 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #10 (#5 at his position), close to where he went (#11). The whole market, not just his team, missed on him.
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
20.1 years old on draft night (born 1996-05-03).
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 Gonzaga.
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.
- Availability
Played 670 games over 11 NBA seasons (~74% 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 | 11 |
| Games | 670 |
| Minutes / game | 30.8 |
| Points / game | 16.1 |
| Rebounds / game | 10.7 |
| Assists / game | 4.9 |
| Win Shares (career) | 72.1 |
| VORP | 28.2 |
| Box Plus/Minus | 3.4 |
| 2026-27 so far | 3 GP, 18.7 PPG (ESPN) |
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
| Length Under +2 in. | 56.2% n=73 | |
| 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 | |
| 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' 10", 238 lbs |
| Wingspan | 6' 11" |
| Age on draft night | 20.1 |
| Born | Portland, OR |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #10 overall (#5 PF) |
Picked around him 2016 redraft
| 8 | Marquese Chriss | redraft #23 |
| 9 | Jakob Poeltl | redraft #6 |
| 10 | Thon Maker | redraft #22 |
| 12 | Taurean Prince | redraft #16 |
| 13 | Georgios Papagiannis | redraft #36 |
| 14 | Denzel Valentine | redraft #24 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.