Jeryl Sasser
PG, SMU · 2001 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #22 (ORL)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: availability. Details below.
- Availability
Played 82 games over 2 NBA seasons (~50% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #4 overall (#9 at his position), but he lasted until pick #22: teams let him slide 18 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
22.4 years old on draft night (born 1979-02-13).
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 SMU.
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 | 2 |
| Games | 82 |
| Minutes / game | 12.9 |
| Points / game | 2.5 |
| Rebounds / game | 2.3 |
| Assists / game | 0.8 |
| Win Shares (career) | 0.7 |
| VORP | -0.1 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -2.5 |
The 2001 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2001 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 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' 6", 200 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 22.4 |
| Born | Dallas TX |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #4 overall (#9 PG) |
Picked around him 2001 redraft
| 19 | Zach Randolph | redraft #7 |
| 20 | Brendan Haywood | redraft #14 |
| 21 | Joseph Forte | redraft #42 |
| 23 | Brandon Armstrong | redraft #44 |
| 24 | Raül López | redraft #30 |
| 25 | Gerald Wallace | redraft #9 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.