Nikola Peković
C · 2008 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #31 (MIN)
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 #31 (#9 at his position), close to where he went (#31).
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
22.3 years old on draft night (born 1986-03-01).
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
International prospect, born in Serbia.
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
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 271 games over 6 NBA seasons (~55% 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 | 6 |
| Games | 271 |
| Minutes / game | 24.9 |
| Points / game | 12.6 |
| Rebounds / game | 6.7 |
| Assists / game | 0.7 |
| Win Shares (career) | 18.8 |
| VORP | 2.2 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -0.7 |
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 International | 41.7% n=151 | |
| 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 | 6' 11", 245 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 22.3 |
| Born | Serbia |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #31 overall (#9 C) |
Picked around him 2008 redraft
| 28 | Donté Greene | redraft #39 |
| 29 | D.J. White | redraft #35 |
| 30 | J.R. Giddens | redraft #45 |
| 32 | Walter Sharpe | redraft #46 |
| 33 | Joey Dorsey | redraft #36 |
| 34 | Mario Chalmers | redraft #17 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.