Sasha Kaun
C, Kansas · 2008 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #56 (SEA)
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 #55 (#14 at his position), close to where he went (#56).
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
23.1 years old on draft night (born 1985-05-08).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 48.6% of the time (138 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
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 25 games over 1 NBA season (~30% 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 | 1 |
| Games | 25 |
| Minutes / game | 3.8 |
| Points / game | 0.9 |
| Rebounds / game | 1.0 |
| Assists / game | 0.1 |
| Win Shares (career) | 0.2 |
| VORP | 0.0 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -2.8 |
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 23 or older | 48.6% n=138 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| 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", 247 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 23.1 |
| Born | Siberia, Russia |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #55 overall (#14 C) |
Picked around him 2008 redraft
| 53 | Tadija Dragićević | redraft #57 |
| 54 | Maarty Leunen | redraft #58 |
| 55 | Mike Taylor | redraft #48 |
| 57 | James Gist | redraft #59 |
| 58 | Joe Crawford | redraft #51 |
| 59 | Deron Washington | redraft #60 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.