Zeke Nnaji
PF, Arizona · 2020 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #22 (DEN)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: pre-draft rankings. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #36 (#8 at his position); he went #22, 14 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.
- Age
19.5 years old on draft night (born 2001-01-09).
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 Arizona.
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.
- Availability
Played 303 games over 6 NBA seasons (~62% 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 bust for him.
Career numberslive
| Seasons | 6 |
| Games | 303 |
| Minutes / game | 12.0 |
| Points / game | 4.1 |
| Rebounds / game | 2.3 |
| Assists / game | 0.4 |
| Win Shares (career) | 7.5 |
| VORP | -0.7 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -2.8 |
Career Win Shares + VORP (Basketball-Reference, through 2025-26) + 2026-27 estimates from ESPN season stats.
The 2020 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2020 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 Under 20 | 51.7% n=300 | |
| 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 | 7' 0", 240 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 19.5 |
| Born | 2001-01-09 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #36 overall (#8 PF) |
Picked around him 2020 redraft
| 19 | Saddiq Bey | redraft #10 |
| 20 | Precious Achiuwa | redraft #22 |
| 21 | Tyrese Maxey | redraft #3 |
| 23 | Leandro Bolmaro | redraft #56 |
| 24 | R.J. Hampton | redraft #38 |
| 25 | Immanuel Quickley | redraft #5 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.