Zaza Pachulia
PF · 2003 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #42 (ORL)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: pre-draft rankings, availability. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #24 overall (#7 at his position), but he lasted until pick #42: teams let him slide 18 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.
- Availability
Played 1098 games over 16 NBA seasons (~84% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Age
19.4 years old on draft night (born 1984-02-10).
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.
- 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 steal for him.
Career numbers
| Seasons | 16 |
| Games | 1098 |
| Minutes / game | 20.3 |
| Points / game | 6.8 |
| Rebounds / game | 5.8 |
| Assists / game | 1.3 |
| Win Shares (career) | 52.7 |
| VORP | 2.9 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -1.5 |
The 2003 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2003 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 Under 20 | 51.7% n=300 | |
| 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' 11", 250 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 19.4 |
| Born | 1984-02-10 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #24 overall (#7 PF) |
Picked around him 2003 redraft
| 39 | Slavko Vraneš | redraft #47 |
| 40 | Derrick Zimmerman | redraft #46 |
| 41 | Willie Green | redraft #26 |
| 43 | Keith Bogans | redraft #23 |
| 44 | Malick Badiane | redraft #51 |
| 45 | Matt Bonner | redraft #11 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.