Frank Williams
PG, Illinois · 2002 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #25 (DEN)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: availability. Details below.
- Availability
Played 86 games over 3 NBA seasons (~35% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #23 (#298 at his position), close to where he went (#25).
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
22.3 years old on draft night (born 1980-02-25).
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 Illinois.
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
PG (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.
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 | 3 |
| Games | 86 |
| Minutes / game | 11.1 |
| Points / game | 2.9 |
| Rebounds / game | 0.9 |
| Assists / game | 1.9 |
| Win Shares (career) | 0.1 |
| VORP | -0.3 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -3.2 |
The 2002 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2002 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 22 | 51.9% n=339 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| 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' 3", 205 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 22.3 |
| Born | Peoria, IL |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #23 overall (#298 PG) |
Picked around him 2002 redraft
| 22 | Casey Jacobsen | redraft #23 |
| 23 | Tayshaun Prince | redraft #5 |
| 24 | Nenad Krstić | redraft #15 |
| 26 | John Salmons | redraft #11 |
| 27 | Chris Jefferies | redraft #42 |
| 28 | Dan Dickau | redraft #22 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.