Kosta Koufos
C, Ohio State · 2008 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #23 (UTA)
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 #29 (#8 at his position), close to where he went (#23).
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
19.3 years old on draft night (born 1989-02-24).
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 Ohio 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
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 686 games over 11 NBA seasons (~76% 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 | 11 |
| Games | 686 |
| Minutes / game | 16.4 |
| Points / game | 5.7 |
| Rebounds / game | 5.0 |
| Assists / game | 0.5 |
| Win Shares (career) | 28.3 |
| VORP | 2.0 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -1.3 |
The 2008 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2008 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 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 | 7' 1", 265 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 19.3 |
| Born | Canton, Ohio |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #29 overall (#8 C) |
Picked around him 2008 redraft
| 20 | Alexis Ajinça | redraft #31 |
| 21 | Ryan Anderson | redraft #11 |
| 22 | Courtney Lee | redraft #16 |
| 24 | Serge Ibaka | redraft #8 |
| 25 | Nicolas Batum | redraft #5 |
| 26 | George Hill | redraft #6 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.