Jalen Wilson
PF, Kansas · 2023 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #51 (BRK)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a steal: his age, school, testing and position profile looked like a typical pick in his range. The gap opened after the draft, on the field.
The 2023 class is only 3 seasons in, so this verdict can still change a lot.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #42 (#9 at his position), close to where he went (#51). 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
22.6 years old on draft night (born 2000-11-04).
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 Kansas.
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 176 games over 3 NBA seasons (~72% 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 | 176 |
| Minutes / game | 20.2 |
| Points / game | 7.4 |
| Rebounds / game | 2.9 |
| Assists / game | 1.4 |
| Win Shares (career) | 3.2 |
| VORP | -1.9 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -4.2 |
Career Win Shares + VORP (Basketball-Reference, through 2025-26) + 2026-27 estimates from ESPN season stats.
The 2023 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2023 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 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' 7", 225 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 22.6 |
| Born | 2000-11-04 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #42 overall (#9 PF) |
Picked around him 2023 redraft
| 48 | Jordan Miller | redraft #12 |
| 49 | Emoni Bates | redraft #53 |
| 50 | Keyontae Johnson | redraft #50 |
| 52 | Toumani Camara | redraft #6 |
| 53 | Jaylen Clark | redraft #22 |
| 54 | Jalen Slawson | redraft #40 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.