Sean Williams
C, Boston College · 2007 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #17 (NJN)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: availability. Details below.
- Availability
Played 137 games over 4 NBA seasons (~42% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #26 (#4 at his position), close to where he went (#17).
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
20.8 years old on draft night (born 1986-09-13).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.4% of the time (246 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at Boston College.
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.
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 | 4 |
| Games | 137 |
| Minutes / game | 14.4 |
| Points / game | 4.2 |
| Rebounds / game | 3.4 |
| Assists / game | 0.3 |
| Win Shares (career) | 3.0 |
| VORP | -0.6 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -3.1 |
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 20 | 50.4% n=246 | |
| 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' 10", 230 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 20.8 |
| Born | Houston |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #26 overall (#4 C) |
Picked around him 2007 redraft
| 14 | Al Thornton | redraft #28 |
| 15 | Rodney Stuckey | redraft #13 |
| 16 | Nick Young | redraft #22 |
| 18 | Marco Belinelli | redraft #14 |
| 19 | Javaris Crittenton | redraft #40 |
| 20 | Jason Smith | redraft #24 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.