Justin James
SG, Wyoming · 2019 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #40 (SAC)
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 #76 (#17 at his position); he went #40, 36 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 72 games over 2 NBA seasons (~44% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Age
22.4 years old on draft night (born 1997-01-24).
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 Wyoming.
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.
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 | 72 |
| Minutes / game | 7.5 |
| Points / game | 3.2 |
| Rebounds / game | 0.9 |
| Assists / game | 0.6 |
| Win Shares (career) | 0.3 |
| VORP | -0.2 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -3.1 |
Career Win Shares + VORP (Basketball-Reference, through 2025-26) + 2026-27 estimates from ESPN season stats.
The 2019 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2019 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 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' 7", 183 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 22.4 |
| Born | 1997-01-24 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #76 overall (#17 SG) |
Picked around him 2019 redraft
| 37 | Deividas Sirvydis | redraft #55 |
| 38 | Daniel Gafford | redraft #2 |
| 39 | Alen Smailagić | redraft #46 |
| 41 | Eric Paschall | redraft #29 |
| 42 | Admiral Schofield | redraft #38 |
| 43 | Jaylen Nowell | redraft #31 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.