Jusuf Nurkić
C · 2014 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #16 (CHI)
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.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #17 (#2 at his position), close to where he went (#16). 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
19.8 years old on draft night (born 1994-08-23).
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
International prospect, born in Tuzia, Bosnia.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 41.7% of the time (151 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 631 games over 12 NBA seasons (~64% 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 | 12 |
| Games | 631 |
| Minutes / game | 24.5 |
| Points / game | 11.8 |
| Rebounds / game | 8.9 |
| Assists / game | 2.6 |
| Win Shares (career) | 34.7 |
| VORP | 9.5 |
| Box Plus/Minus | 0.4 |
The 2014 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2014 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 International | 41.7% n=151 | |
| 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", 280 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 19.8 |
| Born | Tuzia, Bosnia |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #17 overall (#2 C) |
Picked around him 2014 redraft
| 13 | Zach LaVine | redraft #8 |
| 14 | T.J. Warren | redraft #18 |
| 15 | Adreian Payne | redraft #52 |
| 17 | James Young | redraft #38 |
| 18 | Tyler Ennis | redraft #32 |
| 19 | Gary Harris | redraft #16 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.