Josh Christopher
SG, Arizona State · 2021 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #24 (HOU)
Why he went too high Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a risk: his profile looked like a typical pick in his range. The gap opened after the draft, on the field.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #33 (#13 at his position), close to where he went (#24).
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
19.5 years old on draft night (born 2001-12-08).
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 Arizona State.
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
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.
- Availability
Played 152 games over 3 NBA seasons (~62% 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 bust for him.
Career numberslive
| Seasons | 3 |
| Games | 152 |
| Minutes / game | 14.4 |
| Points / game | 6.5 |
| Rebounds / game | 1.8 |
| Assists / game | 1.5 |
| Win Shares (career) | 0.2 |
| VORP | -1.1 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -3.9 |
Career Win Shares + VORP (Basketball-Reference, through 2025-26) + 2026-27 estimates from ESPN season stats.
The 2021 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2021 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 Under 20 | 51.7% n=300 | |
| 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' 5", 215 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 19.5 |
| Born | 2001-12-08 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #33 overall (#13 SG) |
Picked around him 2021 redraft
| 21 | Keon Johnson | redraft #54 |
| 22 | Isaiah Jackson | redraft #22 |
| 23 | Usman Garuba | redraft #35 |
| 25 | Quentin Grimes | redraft #12 |
| 26 | Bones Hyland | redraft #23 |
| 27 | Cam Thomas | redraft #31 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.