Semi Ojeleye
SF, SMU · 2017 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #37 (BOS)
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 #38 (#7 at his position), close to where he went (#37).
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
22.6 years old on draft night (born 1994-12-05).
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 SMU.
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.
- Length
Wingspan 6' 10" at 6' 7" tall (+3.0 in.), per ESPN's draft profile.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.2% of the time (217 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.
- Availability
Played 284 games over 5 NBA seasons (~69% 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 numberslive
| Seasons | 5 |
| Games | 284 |
| Minutes / game | 14.5 |
| Points / game | 3.4 |
| Rebounds / game | 2.2 |
| Assists / game | 0.4 |
| Win Shares (career) | 5.2 |
| VORP | -1.5 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -3.4 |
Career Win Shares + VORP (Basketball-Reference, through 2025-26) + 2026-27 estimates from ESPN season stats.
The 2017 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2017 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 | |
| Length +2 to +5 in. | 50.2% n=217 | |
| 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' 7", 241 lbs |
| Wingspan | 6' 10" |
| Age on draft night | 22.6 |
| Born | 1994-12-05 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #38 overall (#7 SF) |
Picked around him 2017 redraft
| 34 | Frank Mason III | redraft #40 |
| 35 | Ivan Rabb | redraft #29 |
| 36 | Jonah Bolden | redraft #38 |
| 38 | Jordan Bell | redraft #23 |
| 39 | Jawun Evans | redraft #56 |
| 40 | Dwayne Bacon | redraft #45 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.