Nicolas Batum
SF · 2008 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #25 (HOU)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: availability. Details below.
- Availability
Played 1205 games over 18 NBA seasons (~82% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #19 (#2 at his position), close to where he went (#25). 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
19.5 years old on draft night (born 1988-12-14).
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 Lisieux, France.
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
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 numbers
| Seasons | 18 |
| Games | 1205 |
| Minutes / game | 28.2 |
| Points / game | 9.6 |
| Rebounds / game | 4.7 |
| Assists / game | 3.0 |
| Win Shares (career) | 75.6 |
| VORP | 29.0 |
| Box Plus/Minus | 1.4 |
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 International | 41.7% n=151 | |
| 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' 8", 210 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 19.5 |
| Born | Lisieux, France |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #19 overall (#2 SF) |
Picked around him 2008 redraft
| 22 | Courtney Lee | redraft #16 |
| 23 | Kosta Koufos | redraft #19 |
| 24 | Serge Ibaka | redraft #8 |
| 26 | George Hill | redraft #6 |
| 27 | Darrell Arthur | redraft #30 |
| 28 | Donté Greene | redraft #39 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.