Isaiah Whitehead
SG, Seton Hall · 2016 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #42 (UTA)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: pre-draft rankings, availability. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #52 (#10 at his position); he went #42, 10 spots earlier. Teams were higher on him than the media board was.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 33.8% of the time (272 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 89 games over 2 NBA seasons (~54% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Age
21.3 years old on draft night (born 1995-03-08).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 47.6% of the time (286 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at Seton Hall.
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' 9" at 6' 5" 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
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.
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 numberslive
| Seasons | 2 |
| Games | 89 |
| Minutes / game | 20.5 |
| Points / game | 7.2 |
| Rebounds / game | 2.4 |
| Assists / game | 2.4 |
| Win Shares (career) | -0.9 |
| VORP | -1.4 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -5.0 |
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 Taken 10+ picks before ESPN's rank | 33.8% n=272 | |
| Age 21 | 47.6% n=286 | |
| 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' 5", 210 lbs |
| Wingspan | 6' 9" |
| Age on draft night | 21.3 |
| Born | Brooklyn, NY |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #52 overall (#10 SG) |
Picked around him 2016 redraft
| 39 | David Michineau | redraft #57 |
| 40 | Diamond Stone | redraft #50 |
| 41 | Stephen Zimmerman | redraft #45 |
| 43 | Zhou Qi | redraft #52 |
| 44 | Isaïa Cordinier | redraft #58 |
| 45 | Demetrius Jackson | redraft #37 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.