Jamal Sampson
C, California · 2002 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #47 (UTA)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: pre-draft rankings. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #6 overall (#11 at his position), but he lasted until pick #47: teams let him slide 41 spots past that ranking.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 68.6% of the time (194 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
19.1 years old on draft night (born 1983-05-15).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.7% of the time (300 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at California.
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
C (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.1% of the time (182 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 72 games over 5 NBA seasons (~18% 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 numbers
| Seasons | 5 |
| Games | 72 |
| Minutes / game | 8.8 |
| Points / game | 2.0 |
| Rebounds / game | 3.4 |
| Assists / game | 0.4 |
| Win Shares (career) | 1.4 |
| VORP | -0.1 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -2.3 |
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 Slid 10+ picks past ESPN's rank | 68.6% n=194 | |
| Age Under 20 | 51.7% n=300 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| Position Center | 51.1% n=182 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 11", 235 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 19.1 |
| Born | 1983-05-15 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #6 overall (#11 C) |
Picked around him 2002 redraft
| 44 | Lonny Baxter | redraft #27 |
| 45 | Sam Clancy | redraft #53 |
| 46 | Matt Barnes | redraft #8 |
| 48 | Chris Owens | redraft #48 |
| 49 | Peter Fehse | redraft #54 |
| 50 | Darius Songaila | redraft #17 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.