Walter Sharpe
PF, UAB · 2008 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #32 (SEA)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: pre-draft rankings, availability. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #59 (#15 at his position); he went #32, 27 spots earlier. Teams were higher on him than the media board was.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 33.8% of the time (272 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 8 games over 1 NBA season (~10% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Age
21.9 years old on draft night (born 1986-07-16).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 47.6% of the time (286 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at UAB.
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
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 bust for him.
Career numbers
| Seasons | 1 |
| Games | 8 |
| Minutes / game | 2.5 |
| Points / game | 1.0 |
| Rebounds / game | 0.4 |
| Assists / game | 0.0 |
| Win Shares (career) | -0.1 |
| VORP | 0.0 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -10.1 |
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 Taken 10+ picks before ESPN's rank | 33.8% n=272 | |
| Age 21 | 47.6% n=286 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| 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' 9", 245 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 21.9 |
| Born | Birmingham, AL |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #59 overall (#15 PF) |
Picked around him 2008 redraft
| 29 | D.J. White | redraft #35 |
| 30 | J.R. Giddens | redraft #45 |
| 31 | Nikola Peković | redraft #24 |
| 33 | Joey Dorsey | redraft #36 |
| 34 | Mario Chalmers | redraft #17 |
| 35 | DeAndre Jordan | redraft #4 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.