Morris Almond
SG, Rice University · 2007 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #25 (UTA)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: availability. Details below.
- Availability
Played 38 games over 3 NBA seasons (~15% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #31 (#7 at his position), close to where he went (#25).
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
22.4 years old on draft night (born 1985-02-02).
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 Rice University.
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 numbers
| Seasons | 3 |
| Games | 38 |
| Minutes / game | 9.5 |
| Points / game | 3.1 |
| Rebounds / game | 1.2 |
| Assists / game | 0.3 |
| Win Shares (career) | 0.0 |
| VORP | -0.4 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -6.1 |
The 2007 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2007 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' 6", 215 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 22.4 |
| Born | Powder Springs, GA |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #31 overall (#7 SG) |
Picked around him 2007 redraft
| 22 | Jared Dudley | redraft #8 |
| 23 | Wilson Chandler | redraft #15 |
| 24 | Rudy Fernández | redraft #20 |
| 26 | Aaron Brooks | redraft #21 |
| 27 | Arron Afflalo | redraft #12 |
| 28 | Tiago Splitter | redraft #16 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.