Wang Zhelin
C · 2016 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #57 (MEM)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: pre-draft rankings, path to the draft, availability. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #94 (#16 at his position); he went #57, 37 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.
- Path to the draft
International prospect, born in Fujian, China.
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.
- Availability
Never played an NBA game.
- Age
22.4 years old on draft night (born 1994-01-20).
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.
- Length
Wingspan 6' 11" at 7' 0" tall (-1.0 in.), per ESPN's draft profile.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.2% of the time (73 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 numberslive
| Seasons | 0 |
| Games | 0 |
Career Win Shares + VORP (Basketball-Reference, through 2025-26) + 2026-27 estimates from ESPN season stats.
The 2016 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2016 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 | |
| Path to the draft International | 41.7% n=151 | |
| Age 22 | 51.9% n=339 | |
| Length Under +2 in. | 56.2% n=73 | |
| 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 | 7' 0", 251 lbs |
| Wingspan | 6' 11" |
| Age on draft night | 22.4 |
| Born | Fujian, China |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #94 overall (#16 C) |
Picked around him 2016 redraft
| 54 | Kay Felder | redraft #54 |
| 55 | Marcus Paige | redraft #47 |
| 56 | Daniel Hamilton | redraft #43 |
| 58 | Abdel Nader | redraft #32 |
| 59 | Isaiah Cousins | redraft #60 |
| 60 | Tyrone Wallace | redraft #39 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.