Serge Ibaka
PF · 2008 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #24 (SEA)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: availability. Details below.
- Availability
Played 919 games over 14 NBA seasons (~80% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #15 (#4 at his position), close to where he went (#24). 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
18.8 years old on draft night (born 1989-09-18).
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 Congo.
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
PF (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 | 14 |
| Games | 919 |
| Minutes / game | 27.3 |
| Points / game | 12.0 |
| Rebounds / game | 7.1 |
| Assists / game | 0.8 |
| Win Shares (career) | 73.0 |
| VORP | 15.7 |
| Box Plus/Minus | 0.5 |
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' 10", 220 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 18.8 |
| Born | Congo |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #15 overall (#4 PF) |
Picked around him 2008 redraft
| 21 | Ryan Anderson | redraft #11 |
| 22 | Courtney Lee | redraft #16 |
| 23 | Kosta Koufos | redraft #19 |
| 25 | Nicolas Batum | redraft #5 |
| 26 | George Hill | redraft #6 |
| 27 | Darrell Arthur | redraft #30 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.