Steven Adams

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 #12 (#3 at his position), close to where he went (#12). 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

  19.9 years old on draft night (born 1993-07-20).

  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

  Played college basketball at Pitt.

  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 7' 4.5" at 7' 0" tall (+4.5 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

  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 797 games over 13 NBA seasons (~75% 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

How players like him did

Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.

Measurables & pre-draft