Mikal Bridges
SF, Villanova · 2018 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #10 (PHI)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: availability. Details below.
- Availability
Played 643 games over 9 NBA seasons (~87% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #14 (#3 at his position), close to where he went (#10).
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
21.8 years old on draft night (born 1996-08-30).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 47.6% of the time (286 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at Villanova.
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
SF (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.2% of the time (570 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 numberslive
| Seasons | 9 |
| Games | 643 |
| Minutes / game | 33.2 |
| Points / game | 14.7 |
| Rebounds / game | 3.9 |
| Assists / game | 2.9 |
| Win Shares (career) | 50.0 |
| VORP | 15.5 |
| Box Plus/Minus | 0.9 |
| 2026-27 so far | 3 GP, 3.3 PPG (ESPN) |
Career Win Shares + VORP (Basketball-Reference, through 2025-26) + 2026-27 estimates from ESPN season stats.
The 2018 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2018 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 21 | 47.6% n=286 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| Position Forward | 51.2% n=570 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 7", 200 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 21.8 |
| Born | 1996-08-30 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #14 overall (#3 SF) |
Picked around him 2018 redraft
| 7 | Wendell Carter Jr. | redraft #12 |
| 8 | Collin Sexton | redraft #17 |
| 9 | Kevin Knox | redraft #42 |
| 11 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | redraft #2 |
| 12 | Miles Bridges | redraft #13 |
| 13 | Jerome Robinson | redraft #53 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.