Zach LaVine
PG, UCLA · 2014 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #13 (MIN)
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 #14 (#4 at his position), close to where he went (#13).
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
19.3 years old on draft night (born 1995-03-10).
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 UCLA.
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 6' 9" at 6' 6" tall (+3.0 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
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 695 games over 13 NBA seasons (~65% 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 | 13 |
| Games | 695 |
| Minutes / game | 32.7 |
| Points / game | 20.7 |
| Rebounds / game | 4.0 |
| Assists / game | 3.9 |
| Win Shares (career) | 38.7 |
| VORP | 14.7 |
| Box Plus/Minus | 0.6 |
The 2014 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2014 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 US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| Length +2 to +5 in. | 50.2% n=217 | |
| 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' 6", 181 lbs |
| Wingspan | 6' 9" |
| Age on draft night | 19.3 |
| Born | Bothell, WA |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #14 overall (#4 PG) |
Picked around him 2014 redraft
| 10 | Elfrid Payton | redraft #22 |
| 11 | Doug McDermott | redraft #20 |
| 12 | Dario Šarić | redraft #19 |
| 14 | T.J. Warren | redraft #18 |
| 15 | Adreian Payne | redraft #52 |
| 16 | Jusuf Nurkić | redraft #10 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.