Will Blalock
PG, Iowa State · 2006 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #60 (DET)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: pre-draft rankings. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #26 overall (#7 at his position), but he lasted until pick #60: teams let him slide 34 spots past that ranking.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 68.6% of the time (194 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
22.8 years old on draft night (born 1983-09-08).
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 Iowa State.
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
PG (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 48.9% of the time (499 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 14 games over 1 NBA season (~17% 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
| Seasons | 1 |
| Games | 14 |
| Minutes / game | 11.9 |
| Points / game | 1.8 |
| Rebounds / game | 1.1 |
| Assists / game | 1.2 |
| Win Shares (career) | -0.1 |
| VORP | -0.2 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -5.8 |
The 2006 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2006 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 Slid 10+ picks past ESPN's rank | 68.6% n=194 | |
| Age 22 | 51.9% n=339 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| Position Guard | 48.9% n=499 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 1", 194 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 22.8 |
| Born | Boston, MA |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #26 overall (#7 PG) |
Picked around him 2006 redraft
| 57 | Loukas Mavrokefalidis | redraft #59 |
| 58 | J.R. Pinnock | redraft #60 |
| 59 | Damir Markota | redraft #45 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.