Mario Chalmers
PG, Kansas · 2008 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #34 (MIN)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: availability. Details below.
- Availability
Played 646 games over 9 NBA seasons (~88% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #26 (#6 at his position), close to where he went (#34). 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
22.1 years old on draft night (born 1986-05-19).
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 Kansas.
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 steal for him.
Career numbers
| Seasons | 9 |
| Games | 646 |
| Minutes / game | 26.7 |
| Points / game | 8.9 |
| Rebounds / game | 2.5 |
| Assists / game | 3.7 |
| Win Shares (career) | 32.3 |
| VORP | 5.9 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -0.6 |
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 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' 2", 170 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 22.1 |
| Born | Anchorage, Alaska |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #26 overall (#6 PG) |
Picked around him 2008 redraft
| 31 | Nikola Peković | redraft #24 |
| 32 | Walter Sharpe | redraft #46 |
| 33 | Joey Dorsey | redraft #36 |
| 35 | DeAndre Jordan | redraft #4 |
| 36 | Ömer Aşık | redraft #26 |
| 37 | Luc Mbah a Moute | redraft #21 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.