Introduction

“Buddy Hield is the next Stephen Curry”

“Brandon Ingram is a poor man’s Kevin Durant”

“Andrew Wiggins’ upside is Carmelo Anthony, but his floor is James Posey”

So often when we talk about NBA players, we do it through comparisons to other players, and with good reason—comparisons are a good way to quickly convey lots of information about a player. For example, if I tell you that a player had a Box Plus/Minus of 7.8 last season, you might get a vague idea of how good he is. If I then tell you that player had 19.5 points per game, you might have a slightly better idea, but it’s still far from the full picture. But if I claim that this player is the next Chris Paul, it immediately brings to mind an idea of not only how good he is, but also his strengths, weaknesses, and overall playing style. Maybe your mind also queues up a mental highlight reel of Chris Paul-like plays, for good measure. Comparisons quickly give a complete picture of a player which would otherwise require taking the time to slowly digest each number in his stat line.

Also, they’re lots of fun!

We’ve created our own set of similarity scores to make comparisons using math for the purpose of prospecting players coming out of college. Our goal is to produce a useful complement to our PNSP model. Where our PNSP model answers the question, “How valuable will this player be?”, our similarity scores aim to answer the question, “Who will this player be like?”

For a glimpse of some player comparisons, you can check out Similarity Scores for 2016 NBA Draftees, here.



Data

Our dataset consists of players who entered the league between 1997-2016. International players, high school players, and players with incomplete college statistics are excluded from the data. Since data record-keeping has become more reliable in recent years, our data contains more players from more recent draft classes. This is only an issue in that it limits the size of our training data; skewing more recent may help to better capture current trends in the NBA.

Methodology

We started by dividing our players by position, in order to create similarity score calculations differently for different types of players. After all, the things you care about when deciding whether two big men are similar is very different than when you’re comparing two point guards. Rather than doing this grouping using our intuition, we used k-means clustering to form groups based on box-score statistics. This technique allowed the data to determine how the players should be grouped, potentially identifying players who fit best in a group other than their nominal position. Ultimately, though, the three clusters we created ended up corresponding intuitively to three player archetypes: primary ball handler, wing player, and big man. Below is a chart showing these clusters, visualized with Principal Component Analysis. PCA is a statistical procedure with many interesting uses. Here, it’s just used as a visualization tool, so the important thing to know is that combines our many original variables into two new ones, which allow us to get a two-dimensional picture of as much of our data as possible. To get a player’s coordinates to find him on this chart, use our table below.

Player Clustered Group PC1 PC2 A.J. Bramlett Big -3.07 0.79 A.J. Guyton Primary Ball Handler 2.75 0.26 A.J. Hammons Big -4.19 -1.29 A.J. Price Primary Ball Handler 2.45 0.78 Aaron Brooks Primary Ball Handler 3.57 0.03 Aaron Gordon Wing -0.94 3.16 Aaron Gray Big -4.48 0.54 Aaron Harrison Primary Ball Handler 3 1.2 Aaron White Wing -0.14 -1.84 Abdel Nader Wing 0.58 0.84 Acie Law Primary Ball Handler 2.13 -0.98 Adam Morrison Wing 0.33 -2.61 Adonal Foyle Big -5.99 -1.25 Adreian Payne Wing -0.74 -0.95 Al Horford Big -3.13 0.23 Al Thornton Wing 0.04 -1.32 Al-Farouq Aminu Wing -1.72 0.08 Alan Anderson Wing 0.13 -1.67 Alando Tucker Wing 0.17 -0.94 Alec Brown Wing -1.21 -0.91 Alec Burks Wing 0.42 -1.94 Alex Acker Primary Ball Handler 1.7 -0.4 Alex Len Big -3.18 0.36 Alex Oriakhi Big -3.91 -0.84 Alexander Johnson Wing -1.67 -1.25 Allen Crabbe Primary Ball Handler 1.09 0.14 Alton Ford Wing -1.33 0.79 Alvin Jones Big -3.86 0.55 Alvin Williams Primary Ball Handler 1.95 0.3 Andre Drummond Big -4.48 4.36 Andre Emmett Wing -0.12 -0.85 Andre Iguodala Primary Ball Handler 0.89 0.52 Andre Miller Primary Ball Handler 1.41 -0.23 Andre Roberson Wing -0.71 2.13 Andrew Bogut Big -2.94 -0.89 Andrew Goudelock Primary Ball Handler 2.52 -1.58 Andrew Harrison Primary Ball Handler 2.78 0.89 Andrew Nicholson Wing -2.31 -2.19 Andrew Wiggins Wing 0.53 0.48 Andy Rautins Primary Ball Handler 3.27 0.7 Anthony Bennett Wing -1.77 -0.43 Anthony Brown Primary Ball Handler 1.84 0.01 Anthony Davis Big -4.06 0.72 Anthony Johnson Primary Ball Handler 2.05 -1.48 Anthony Morrow Primary Ball Handler 2.35 0.33 Anthony Parker Primary Ball Handler 1.15 -0.75 Anthony Randolph Big -2 0.97 Antoine Wright Wing 0.83 0.01 Antonio Burks Primary Ball Handler 2.73 1.32 Antonio Daniels Primary Ball Handler 2.14 -1.92 Archie Goodwin Wing 0.58 1.08 Armon Johnson Primary Ball Handler 1.04 0.74 Arnett Moultrie Wing -1.02 -0.84 Arron Afflalo Primary Ball Handler 1.76 0.54 Arsalan Kazemi Big -1.83 0.36 Austin Croshere Wing 0.44 -1.49 Austin Daye Wing -1.3 0.26 Austin Rivers Primary Ball Handler 1.82 1.5 Avery Bradley Primary Ball Handler 1.74 3.24 Baron Davis Primary Ball Handler 1.52 1.13 Ben Bentil Wing -0.93 -1.05 Ben Gordon Primary Ball Handler 3.14 0.15 Ben McLemore Primary Ball Handler 2.21 0.49 Ben Simmons Wing -0.65 -0.27 Bernard James Big -3.62 2.16 Bernard Robinson Primary Ball Handler 1.14 0.4 Blake Griffin Big -2.89 -0.98 Bobby Jackson Primary Ball Handler 2.13 0.57 Bobby Jones Wing 0.71 0.01 Bobby Portis Wing -2 -0.66 Bobby Simmons Wing 0.54 -0.5 Bracey Wright Primary Ball Handler 1.56 0.07 Bradley Beal Primary Ball Handler 1.39 0.98 Brandan Wright Big -3.44 1.77 Branden Dawson Big -2.44 2.48 Brandon Armstrong Primary Ball Handler 2.06 -1 Brandon Bass Wing -1.83 -1.04 Brandon Hunter Wing -2.18 -1.52 Brandon Ingram Wing 0.5 1.76 Brandon Knight Primary Ball Handler 2.78 1.23 Brandon Roy Primary Ball Handler 1.4 -1.72 Brandon Rush Primary Ball Handler 1.59 1.09 Brendan Haywood Big -5.1 1.28 Brevin Knight Primary Ball Handler 4.83 -0.63 Brian Cardinal Wing 1 -0.31 Brian Cook Wing -1.39 -2.49 Brian Scalabrine Wing -0.16 -0.09 Brice Johnson Big -2.86 -0.74 Brook Lopez Big -3.13 -1.19 Bubba Wells Wing -0.12 -4.04 Buddy Hield Primary Ball Handler 2.25 -1.19 C.J. McCollum Primary Ball Handler 2.53 -3.32 C.J. Wilcox Primary Ball Handler 2.19 -0.39 Cady Lalanne Big -3.43 0.03 Cal Bowdler Big -2.68 -1.66 Calvin Booth Big -3.29 0.03 Cameron Bairstow Wing -1.97 -2.48 Cameron Payne Primary Ball Handler 2.78 -1.07 Caris LeVert Primary Ball Handler 1.9 -0.59 Carl Landry Wing -1.66 -1.57 Carlos Boozer Big -3.85 -1.94 Carmelo Anthony Wing -0.52 0.16 Caron Butler Wing 0.11 -0.6 Carrick Felix Wing 0.66 1.08 Casey Jacobsen Primary Ball Handler 1.39 -0.97 Cedric Henderson Wing 0.05 0.35 Cedric Simmons Big -2.65 0.55 Chandler Parsons Wing 0.16 1.76 Channing Frye Big -2.4 -0.9 Charles Jenkins Primary Ball Handler 2.14 -2.08 Charles Smith Primary Ball Handler 1.56 -0.66 Charlie Villanueva Wing -2.09 -0.34 Chase Budinger Primary Ball Handler 1.61 0.17 Chauncey Billups Primary Ball Handler 3.45 -1.05 Chinanu Onuaku Big -3.8 2.05 Chris Bosh Wing -1.78 -0.12 Chris Crawford Wing 0.12 -0.81 Chris Douglas-Roberts Wing 0.41 -0.93 Chris Duhon Primary Ball Handler 2.35 1.89 Chris Herren Primary Ball Handler 3.99 0.91 Chris Jefferies Wing 0.54 0.3 Chris Kaman Big -4.98 -3.02 Chris McCullough Big -1.89 2.71 Chris Mihm Big -3.39 -1.26 Chris Owens Big -2.19 -0.62 Chris Paul Primary Ball Handler 4.1 0.32 Chris Porter Wing -0.39 0.42 Chris Richard Big -3.03 0.89 Chris Singleton Wing 0.36 0.77 Chris Taft Big -3.98 0.82 Chris Wilcox Big -2.71 1.55 Christian Wood Big -3.03 -0.64 Cleanthony Early Wing 0.96 -1.42 Cody Zeller Wing -1.67 -0.62 Cole Aldrich Big -4.61 0.46 Colton Iverson Big -3.47 -0.32 Corey Brewer Primary Ball Handler 1.6 0.39 Corey Brewer1 Primary Ball Handler 1.6 0.39 Corey Maggette Wing -0.28 -0.23 Corsley Edwards Big -2.42 -2.74 Cory Jefferson Wing -1.19 0.27 Cory Joseph Primary Ball Handler 2.15 2.43 Courtney Alexander Primary Ball Handler 1.28 -1.24 Courtney Lee Primary Ball Handler 1.52 -2.09 Craig Brackins Wing -0.32 0.24 Craig Smith Big -2.43 -0.52 Curtis Borchardt Big -3.33 -0.99 D'Angelo Russell Primary Ball Handler 2.2 0.76 D.J. Augustin Primary Ball Handler 2.79 0.26 D.J. Strawberry Primary Ball Handler 1.71 0.51 D.J. White Big -2.57 -1.06 Da'Sean Butler Primary Ball Handler 1.2 -0.09 Daequan Cook Primary Ball Handler 1.26 1.76 Dahntay Jones Primary Ball Handler 1.4 -0.45 DaJuan Summers Wing 0.7 0.53 Dajuan Wagner Primary Ball Handler 2.15 -0.19 Dakari Johnson Big -3.79 0.36 Damian Lillard Primary Ball Handler 2.9 -3.6 Damion James Wing -1.43 -1.22 Damion Jones Big -3.54 1.13 Damone Brown Wing -0.29 -0.3 Dan Dickau Primary Ball Handler 4.31 -1.64 Dan Gadzuric Big -3.83 1.88 Dan Langhi Wing 1.02 -1.9 Dan McClintock Big -3.86 -1.55 Daniel Ewing Primary Ball Handler 2.65 1.57 Daniel Gibson Primary Ball Handler 3.1 1.93 Daniel Hamilton Primary Ball Handler 1.32 0.55 Daniel Orton Big -3.85 2.72 Danny Fortson Big -3.33 -2.94 Danny Granger Wing -0.38 -2.27 Danny Green Primary Ball Handler 1.99 0.52 Dante Cunningham Big -1.63 0.41 Darington Hobson Wing 0.6 0.74 Darius Johnson-Odom Primary Ball Handler 2.49 0.15 Darius Miller Primary Ball Handler 1.77 0.78 Darius Morris Primary Ball Handler 1.13 1.37 Darius Songaila Wing -1.03 -2.3 Darnell Jackson Big -2.23 -0.76 Darrell Arthur Big -2.54 0.55 Darren Collison Primary Ball Handler 2.97 -0.71 Darrun Hilliard Primary Ball Handler 2.54 0.26 David Harrison Big -4.73 0.15 David Lee Big -2.06 -0.4 David Noel Wing 0.33 1.29 David West Wing -1.66 -2.38 DeAndre Bembry Wing 0.24 0.62 DeAndre Daniels Wing -0.11 0.8 DeAndre Jordan Big -4.61 2.2 DeAndre Liggins Primary Ball Handler 1.28 2.23 Dee Brown Primary Ball Handler 4.24 1.28 Dejounte Murray Primary Ball Handler 1.38 1.62 DeJuan Blair Big -4.07 0.31 DeJuan Wheat Primary Ball Handler 3.64 0.49 Delon Wright Primary Ball Handler 1.39 -0.31 Delonte West Primary Ball Handler 2.41 -1.11 DeMar DeRozan Wing -0.88 1.75 DeMarcus Cousins Big -5.39 -1.25 DeMarre Carroll Wing -0.73 -0.48 Demetris Nichols Primary Ball Handler 1.54 -0.48 Demetrius Jackson Primary Ball Handler 2.86 0.89 Denzel Valentine Primary Ball Handler 2.61 -0.45 Derek Anderson Primary Ball Handler 2.67 -1.33 DerMarr Johnson Wing 0.56 1.36 Deron Williams Primary Ball Handler 2.6 1.93 Derrick Brown Wing -0.17 -0.18 Derrick Caracter Big -2.79 -1.18 Derrick Favors Big -3.44 1.71 Derrick Rose Primary Ball Handler 1.75 0.68 Derrick Williams Wing -1.02 -2.36 Derrick Zimmerman Primary Ball Handler 1.94 2.02 Deshaun Thomas Wing 0.35 -0.49 Desmond Mason Wing 0.6 -0.55 Devin Booker Primary Ball Handler 1.78 1.06 Devin Ebanks Wing -0.94 1.07 Devin Harris Primary Ball Handler 2.71 -0.41 Dexter Pittman Big -6.56 -0.73 Deyonta Davis Big -4.08 2.3 Diamond Stone Big -3.86 -0.18 Dijon Thompson Wing 0.99 -0.53 Dion Waiters Primary Ball Handler 1.86 0.65 Domantas Sabonis Wing -2.1 -1.38 Dominic McGuire Big -1.31 0.49 Dominique Jones Wing 0.83 -0.94 Donnell Harvey Big -2.85 1.22 Donte Greene Wing 0.43 1.41 Doron Lamb Primary Ball Handler 2.2 0.38 Doug McDermott Wing 0.71 -2.42 Draymond Green Wing -0.27 -0.02 Drew Gooden Wing -1.97 -1.01 Dwayne Collins Big -3.23 0.07 Dwight Powell Wing -0.18 0.28 Dwyane Wade Wing 0.06 -1.34 E'Twaun Moore Primary Ball Handler 1.37 0.4 Earl Clark Wing -0.6 1.41 Earl Watson Primary Ball Handler 1.96 1.56 Ed Davis Big -3.73 0.58 Ed Gray Wing 0.82 -1.74 Eddie Griffin Big -2.15 0.89 Eddie House Primary Ball Handler 3.02 -0.51 Eduardo Najera Wing -0.94 -0.44 Ekpe Udoh Big -2.36 0.96 Elfrid Payton Primary Ball Handler 0.61 -0.69 Elliot Williams Primary Ball Handler 2.27 -0.71 Elton Brand Big -4.27 -0.51 Emeka Okafor Big -5.14 0.93 Eric Bledsoe Primary Ball Handler 2.06 2.03 Eric Gordon Primary Ball Handler 1.9 -1.21 Eric Maynor Primary Ball Handler 2.73 -2.42 Eric Washington Primary Ball Handler 1.88 0.21 Erick Barkley Primary Ball Handler 3.05 1.87 Erick Green Primary Ball Handler 2.21 -2.04 Erik Murphy Wing 0.43 0.16 Etan Thomas Big -4.16 0.02 Evan Eschmeyer Big -3.02 -2.27 Evan Turner Wing 0.21 -0.71 Fab Melo Big -3.53 2.27 Festus Ezeli Big -3.36 0.47 Francisco Elson Big -3.23 3.66 Francisco Garcia Primary Ball Handler 1.88 -0.51 Frank Kaminsky Wing -0.84 -0.94 Frank Williams Primary Ball Handler 2.14 -0.22 Gabe Pruitt Primary Ball Handler 3.31 1.18 Gani Lawal Big -3.35 0.49 Gary Harris Primary Ball Handler 2.78 0.78 George Hill Primary Ball Handler 1.8 -2.62 Georges Niang Wing -0.29 -0.77 Gerald Henderson Wing 0.9 -0.07 Gerald Wallace Wing -1.24 1.59 Gilbert Arenas Primary Ball Handler 1.86 1.2 Glen Davis Wing -1.94 -0.92 Glen Rice Primary Ball Handler 0.58 1.25 Glenn Robinson III Wing 0.25 1.15 God Shammgod Primary Ball Handler 2.84 1.99 Gordon Hayward Wing 0.22 -0.87 Gorgui Dieng Big -2.36 2.01 Grant Jerrett Wing 0.52 2.12 Greg Monroe Big -2.28 0.37 Greg Oden Big -4.63 0.74 Greivis Vasquez Primary Ball Handler 2.68 -0.8 Guillermo Diaz Primary Ball Handler 2.75 0.45 Hakim Warrick Wing -1.32 -1.19 Hanno Mottola Wing -0.66 -2.56 Harrison Barnes Wing 0.47 -0.05 Hasheem Thabeet Big -4.85 0.74 Hassan Adams Wing 0.33 1.28 Hassan Whiteside Big -5.45 0.86 Henry Ellenson Wing -1.62 -0.21 Hilton Armstrong Big -3.34 0.59 Ike Diogu Wing -2.6 -2.92 Iman Shumpert Primary Ball Handler 2.36 -0.42 Isaiah Canaan Primary Ball Handler 3.54 -1.76 Isaiah Cousins Primary Ball Handler 2.85 2.09 Isaiah Thomas Primary Ball Handler 3.24 0.16 Isaiah Whitehead Primary Ball Handler 2.3 0.42 Ishmael Smith Primary Ball Handler 1.38 2.89 J.J. Hickson Big -3.41 0.28 J.J. Redick Primary Ball Handler 3.16 -1.82 J.P. Tokoto Primary Ball Handler 1.87 2.79 J.R. Giddens Wing -0.61 0.06 Jabari Parker Wing -1.11 -0.5 Jabari Smith Wing -1.89 0.51 Jackson Vroman Big -2.23 1.82 Jacque Vaughn Primary Ball Handler 3.36 0.61 Jae Crowder Wing 0.23 0.13 Jahlil Okafor Big -5.12 1.3 JaJuan Johnson Wing -1.42 -1.08 Jake Layman Primary Ball Handler 1.26 0.36 Jake Voskuhl Big -3.12 0.5 Jakob Poeltl Big -3.43 -0.29 Jamaal Franklin Wing 0.24 -0.94 Jamaal Magloire Big -3.42 0.17 Jamaal Tinsley Primary Ball Handler 3.01 0.78 Jamal Crawford Primary Ball Handler 2.14 1.79 Jamal Murray Primary Ball Handler 2.4 0.91 Jamal Sampson Big -2.62 3.23 Jameer Nelson Primary Ball Handler 3.03 -0.96 James Anderson Wing 1.07 -1.72 James Augustine Big -2.09 0.41 James Collins Primary Ball Handler 1.79 1.18 James Cotton Wing 1.3 -2.92 James Ennis Wing 0.86 -0.6 James Harden Wing 0.93 -0.66 James Johnson Wing -1.73 0.52 James Jones Wing 0.4 -0.94 James Posey Wing 0.77 -1.01 James White Primary Ball Handler 1.21 -0.55 James Young Primary Ball Handler 1.41 1.76 Jamison Brewer Primary Ball Handler 0.66 2.71 Jared Cunningham Primary Ball Handler 2.39 -0.66 Jared Dudley Wing 0.49 -0.73 Jared Jeffries Wing -0.57 1.05 Jared Sullinger Wing -1.81 -1.16 Jarell Martin Wing -1.19 -0.14 Jarnell Stokes Big -2.26 0.11 Jarrett Jack Primary Ball Handler 1.93 -0.41 Jarron Collins Wing -2.03 -0.56 Jarvis Hayes Wing 0.89 0.44 Jarvis Varnado Big -4.67 0.16 Jason Collier Wing -1.55 -0.92 Jason Collins Wing -2.35 -1.98 Jason Hart Primary Ball Handler 3.08 0.84 Jason Kapono Primary Ball Handler 1.2 -0.61 Jason Lawson Wing 0.33 2.19 Jason Maxiell Big -2.5 -1.15 Jason Richardson Wing 0.56 1.24 Jason Smith Big -2.43 -1.49 Jason Terry Primary Ball Handler 3.73 -0.47 Jason Thompson Big -3.23 -1.56 JaVale McGee Big -3.23 0.61 Javaris Crittenton Primary Ball Handler 3.14 1.26 Jay Williams Primary Ball Handler 3.18 0.34 Jaylen Brown Wing 0.03 0.61 Jeff Foster Big -3.13 -2.34 Jeff Green Wing 0.53 0.88 Jeff Taylor Primary Ball Handler 1.64 1.04 Jeff Teague Primary Ball Handler 2.42 -0.93 Jeff Trepagnier Wing 0.32 2.19 Jeff Withey Big -3.9 -0.16 Jerald Honeycutt Primary Ball Handler 0.8 -0.89 Jerami Grant Wing -1.2 1.24 Jeremy Evans Big -1.92 -0.41 Jeremy Lamb Primary Ball Handler 1.13 0.77 Jeremy Lin Primary Ball Handler 1.71 -2.17 Jerian Grant Primary Ball Handler 2.23 -0.18 Jermaine Taylor Wing 1.15 -2.44 Jermareo Davidson Wing -1.66 -0.42 Jerome Jordan Big -3.59 -1.28 Jerome Moiso Big -2.45 1.5 Jerryd Bayless Primary Ball Handler 3.14 -0.18 Jeryl Sasser Wing 0.32 -0.35 Jimmer Fredette Primary Ball Handler 2.76 -2.88 Jimmy Butler Wing 0.86 -0.47 Joakim Noah Big -2.27 0.49 Jodie Meeks Primary Ball Handler 2.84 -2.1 Joe Alexander Wing -0.21 -0.6 Joe Crawford Primary Ball Handler 1.5 -0.32 Joe Johnson Primary Ball Handler 1.21 0.6 Joel Bolomboy Wing -1.65 -2.42 Joel Embiid Big -3.82 0.36 Joel Przybilla Big -4.59 2.08 Joey Dorsey Big -4.17 2.42 Joey Graham Wing 0.88 -1.85 John Celestand Primary Ball Handler 2.99 0.35 John Henson Big -4.57 1.66 John Jenkins Primary Ball Handler 2.67 -0.28 John Salmons Primary Ball Handler 1.65 -0.46 John Thomas Big -2.67 1.24 John Wall Primary Ball Handler 2.09 0.66 Johnny O'Bryant III Wing -2.14 -0.17 Johnny Taylor Wing -1.02 -1.08 Jon Brockman Big -2.29 -0.16 Jon Diebler Primary Ball Handler 2.98 0.85 Jon Leuer Wing 0.38 -0.42 Jonny Flynn Primary Ball Handler 2.87 0.61 Jordan Adams Wing 0.78 -1.15 Jordan Clarkson Primary Ball Handler 1.72 -0.36 Jordan Crawford Primary Ball Handler 1.9 -0.06 Jordan Farmar Primary Ball Handler 3.64 1.87 Jordan Hamilton Wing 0.55 0.23 Jordan Hill Big -2.77 0.78 Jordan McRae Primary Ball Handler 1.15 -0.68 Jordan Mickey Big -2.81 1.25 Jordan Williams Big -4.06 0.17 Joseph Forte Primary Ball Handler 1.82 0.04 Joseph Young Primary Ball Handler 3.22 -0.55 Josh Boone Big -3.36 1.57 Josh Childress Wing 0.46 -0.7 Josh Harrellson Big -3.14 1.76 Josh Howard Wing 0.38 -1.33 Josh Huestis Wing -0.81 1.82 Josh McRoberts Big -2.05 1.4 Josh Selby Primary Ball Handler 3.51 2.37 Jrue Holiday Primary Ball Handler 1.67 2.21 Juan Dixon Primary Ball Handler 3.21 -0.74 Julian Wright Big -1.81 1.4 Julius Hodge Wing -0.43 -0.23 Julius Randle Wing -2.09 0.05 Jumaine Jones Wing -0.27 0.06 Justin Anderson Primary Ball Handler 2.29 0.94 Justin Hamilton Big -2.46 -0.85 Justin Harper Wing 0.17 -0.91 Justin Reed Wing -1.27 -0.87 Justise Winslow Wing 0.54 1.86 K.J. McDaniels Wing -0.03 -0.52 Kaniel Dickens Wing 0.07 0.03 Kareem Rush Primary Ball Handler 1.72 0.04 Karl-Anthony Towns Big -2.7 -0.04 Kawhi Leonard Wing -0.73 0.32 Kay Felder Primary Ball Handler 4.26 -2.15 Kebu Stewart Wing -1.56 -0.94 Keith Benson Big -2.77 -1.35 Keith Bogans Primary Ball Handler 1.82 0.29 Keith Booth Wing -0.92 -1.08 Keith Van Horn Wing -0.77 -2.59 Kelly Olynyk Wing -2.29 -2.37 Kelly Oubre Wing 0.55 1.66 Kelvin Cato Big -4.36 1.72 Kemba Walker Primary Ball Handler 2.66 -0.69 Ken Johnson Big -3.61 0.53 Kendall Marshall Primary Ball Handler 3.14 2.39 Kenneth Faried Big -3.47 -0.89 Kenny Satterfield Primary Ball Handler 2.84 0.85 Kenny Thomas Wing -1.44 -1.64 Kent Bazemore Primary Ball Handler 1.38 0 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Primary Ball Handler 1.85 -0.21 Kenyon Martin Big -3.13 -1.18 Kevin Durant Wing -0.76 -1.31 Kevin Love Wing -2.18 -1.37 Kevin Martin Wing 1.05 -4.08 Kevin Murphy Primary Ball Handler 1.93 -1.3 Kevon Looney Wing -1.27 1.53 Keyon Dooling Primary Ball Handler 2.71 0.85 Khalid El-Amin Primary Ball Handler 3.35 -0.21 Khris Middleton Wing 0.22 0.56 Kim English Primary Ball Handler 2.17 0.36 Kirk Haston Wing -1.4 -0.02 Kirk Hinrich Primary Ball Handler 2.37 0.96 Kirk Snyder Wing 0.96 -0.82 Klay Thompson Primary Ball Handler 1.9 -0.9 Kosta Koufos Big -2.67 1.01 Kris Dunn Primary Ball Handler 2.11 0.25 Kris Humphries Wing -1.36 -1.08 Kris Joseph Primary Ball Handler 1 0.36 Kyle Anderson Wing 0.71 -0.62 Kyle Korver Primary Ball Handler 3.1 -1.32 Kyle Lowry Primary Ball Handler 2.73 0.65 Kyle Singler Wing 0.14 -0.5 Kyle Weaver Primary Ball Handler 1.56 0.35 Kyle Wiltjer Wing -0.03 -1.79 Kyrie Irving Primary Ball Handler 2.4 -1.91 Lamar Odom Wing -0.96 0.48 Lamar Patterson Primary Ball Handler 1.47 -0.65 LaMarcus Aldridge Big -3.25 1.01 Lance Stephenson Wing -0.46 1.49 Landry Fields Wing -0.14 -1.17 Langston Galloway Primary Ball Handler 2.9 -0.12 Lari Ketner Big -3.22 1.85 Laron Profit Wing 0.66 0.33 Larry Nance Jr. Wing -0.23 -1.09 Larry Sanders Big -3.67 -0.71 Lavor Postell Wing 0.78 0.02 Lavoy Allen Wing -1.14 0.65 Lawrence Roberts Wing -1.36 -1.32 Lazar Hayward Wing 0.93 -0.47 Lee Nailon Wing -2.06 -1.69 Leon Powe Wing -1.78 -1.43 Lester Hudson Primary Ball Handler 2.24 -2.41 Linas Kleiza Wing -0.37 -0.18 Lionel Chalmers Primary Ball Handler 2.96 0.58 Lonny Baxter Big -3.6 -0.34 Loren Woods Wing -2.11 -0.46 Lorenzo Brown Primary Ball Handler 2.49 1 Luis Flores Primary Ball Handler 1.72 -3.19 Luke Babbitt Wing 0.53 -1.96 Luke Harangody Wing -1.73 -2.2 Luke Jackson Primary Ball Handler 2.09 -1.66 Luke Ridnour Primary Ball Handler 3.84 -0.84 Luke Walton Primary Ball Handler 1.56 1.05 Luol Deng Wing -0.46 1.33 Luther Head Primary Ball Handler 3.54 0.88 Magnum Rolle Big -2.55 -0.06 Malachi Richardson Primary Ball Handler 2.1 2.15 Malcolm Brogdon Primary Ball Handler 2.06 -0.38 Malcolm Lee Primary Ball Handler 1.18 0.51 Malik Beasley Primary Ball Handler 1.42 0.4 Malik Hairston Wing 0.88 -0.16 Mamadou N'Diaye Big -5.85 0.02 Marc Jackson Wing -1.48 -0.34 Marcus Banks Primary Ball Handler 2.02 -0.59 Marcus Denmon Primary Ball Handler 3.24 -0.69 Marcus Fizer Wing -2.46 -1.63 Marcus Haislip Wing -1.18 0.57 Marcus Morris Wing -1.42 -1 Marcus Paige Primary Ball Handler 3.55 1.61 Marcus Smart Primary Ball Handler 1.54 -0.43 Marcus Thornton Wing 0.2 0.2 Marcus Thornton1 Primary Ball Handler 1.58 -0.85 Marcus Williams Wing -1.15 0.58 Marcus Williams2 Wing -1.15 0.58 Mardy Collins Primary Ball Handler 1.24 0.98 Mario Chalmers Primary Ball Handler 3.28 0.93 Mark Blount Big -2.54 1.94 Mark Madsen Big -3.19 0.47 Markel Brown Primary Ball Handler 1.9 0.07 Markieff Morris Wing -2.07 -0.66 Marquesse Chriss Wing -1.27 0.68 Marquis Teague Primary Ball Handler 2.48 2.48 Marreese Speights Big -4.21 -0.36 MarShon Brooks Wing 0.38 -1.27 Marvin Williams Wing -0.44 -0.71 Mason Plumlee Big -2.16 -0.07 Mateen Cleaves Primary Ball Handler 3.34 1.16 Matt Barnes Primary Ball Handler 1.43 1.45 Matt Bonner Wing 0.28 -0.17 Matt Freije Wing 0.21 -1.64 Matthew Dellavedova Primary Ball Handler 3.6 -0.45 Maurice Ager Primary Ball Handler 1.46 -0.35 Maurice Harkless Wing -0.68 1.6 Maurice Taylor Wing -1.75 0.89 Melvin Ely Big -4.02 -1.77 Metta World Peace Wing 0.36 1.66 Meyers Leonard Big -2.68 0.75 Michael Beasley Wing -2.18 -2.3 Michael Bradley Big -3.16 -0.74 Michael Carter-Williams Primary Ball Handler 3.31 2.22 Michael Gbinije Primary Ball Handler 2.48 1.34 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Wing -0.57 0.86 Michael Redd Wing 0.41 -0.12 Michael Ruffin Big -2.58 0.17 Mike Conley Primary Ball Handler 2.61 2.21 Mike Dunleavy Wing 0.53 0.64 Mike Miller Wing 0.28 0.36 Mike Muscala Big -2.37 -2.72 Mike Scott Wing -1.75 -2.55 Mike Smith Wing 0.4 -1.83 Mike Sweetney Big -4.09 -2.57 Mike Taylor Primary Ball Handler 3.27 2.03 Miles Plumlee Big -2.79 1.25 Mitch McGary Big -2.07 1.46 Mo Williams Primary Ball Handler 2.28 0.68 Montrezl Harrell Big -2.8 0.67 Morris Almond Wing 0.98 -3.77 Morris Peterson Wing 1.26 -0.67 Myles Turner Big -2.47 0.18 Nate Robinson Primary Ball Handler 3.56 0.08 Nate Wolters Primary Ball Handler 2.55 -2.37 Nerlens Noel Big -3.21 2.82 Nick Calathes Primary Ball Handler 2.48 0.37 Nick Collison Big -3.17 -0.46 Nick Fazekas Wing -1.84 -2.8 Nick Johnson Primary Ball Handler 2.31 0.49 Nick Young Wing 0.73 -0.15 Nik Stauskas Primary Ball Handler 2.04 -0.08 Nikola Vucevic Wing -2.16 -0.4 Noah Vonleh Wing -1.31 0.38 Norman Powell Primary Ball Handler 1.3 0.29 O.J. Mayo Primary Ball Handler 2.93 0.91 Obinna Ekezie Big -2.75 -0.45 Olivier Hanlan Primary Ball Handler 2.12 0.42 Omar Cook Primary Ball Handler 3.88 2.07 Orien Greene Primary Ball Handler 2.72 0.36 Orlando Johnson Primary Ball Handler 1.49 -0.99 Otto Porter Wing 0.81 0.35 P.J. Hairston Primary Ball Handler 2.3 0.29 P.J. Tucker Wing -0.98 0.11 Pape Sow Wing -1.54 -1.96 Pascal Siakam Big -2.68 -1.03 Pat Connaughton Primary Ball Handler 1.66 1.1 Patrick Beverley Primary Ball Handler 1.97 1.96 Patrick McCaw Primary Ball Handler 2.37 0.77 Patrick Mills Primary Ball Handler 3.53 -0.41 Patrick Patterson Wing -1.38 0.5 Paul Davis Wing -1.95 -2.32 Paul George Primary Ball Handler 2.04 -0.93 Paul Grant Big -2.51 0.19 Paul Millsap Big -3.13 -0.96 Perry Jones Wing -0.67 1.32 Peyton Siva Primary Ball Handler 4.22 1.19 Pierre Jackson Primary Ball Handler 4.42 -0.11 Quentin Richardson Wing 0.61 1.08 Quincy Acy Big -2.02 0 Quincy Douby Primary Ball Handler 2.72 -0.93 Quincy Lewis Wing 0.46 -1.17 Quincy Miller Wing 0.16 0.66 Quincy Pondexter Wing -0.37 -1.91 R.J. Hunter Primary Ball Handler 1.99 -1.87 Rafael Araujo Big -3.14 -1.29 Rajon Rondo Primary Ball Handler 1.45 2.44 Rakeem Christmas Big -3.42 -0.4 Ramon Sessions Primary Ball Handler 2.05 -0.77 Randy Foye Primary Ball Handler 2.04 -0.38 Randy Holcomb Wing -1.73 0.12 Rashad McCants Primary Ball Handler 1.66 0.39 Rashad Vaughn Primary Ball Handler 1.35 0.6 Rasual Butler Wing 0.74 -1.2 Ray McCallum Primary Ball Handler 1.86 -0.54 Raymond Felton Primary Ball Handler 3.45 1.51 Reece Gaines Primary Ball Handler 2.58 -0.52 Reggie Bullock Primary Ball Handler 2.03 1.07 Reggie Jackson Primary Ball Handler 1.85 -0.09 Renaldo Balkman Wing -1.2 1.91 Richard Hamilton Primary Ball Handler 1.53 -1.02 Richard Jefferson Wing 0.24 1.81 Richaun Holmes Wing -2.05 -1.39 Robbie Hummel Wing 0.63 -0.51 Robert Archibald Big -3.09 -0.81 Robert Covington Wing 0.92 -1.77 Robert Sacre Big -2.61 -1.9 Robert Upshaw Big -6.31 1.85 Robert Whaley Big -1.74 1.33 Robin Lopez Big -3.59 1.12 Rodney Buford Primary Ball Handler 1.81 -0.91 Rodney Carney Primary Ball Handler 2.08 -0.01 Rodney Hood Primary Ball Handler 1.82 0.48 Rodney Stuckey Primary Ball Handler 1.8 -3.24 Rodney White Wing -0.68 -0.14 Rodrick Rhodes Primary Ball Handler 1.23 0.66 Roger Mason Primary Ball Handler 2.76 -0.29 Romero Osby Wing -0.45 -2.1 Ron Mercer Wing 0.66 0.79 Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Wing -0.59 0.68 Ronnie Brewer Primary Ball Handler 2.12 0.06 Ronny Turiaf Big -2.32 -1.67 Roy Devyn Marble Primary Ball Handler 2.16 -0.27 Roy Hibbert Big -4.09 -0.01 Royal Ivey Primary Ball Handler 1.78 1.52 Royce White Big -1.51 1.67 Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje Big -3.44 -0.64 Rudy Gay Wing 0.12 0.78 Russ Smith Primary Ball Handler 3.06 -0.76 Russell Westbrook Primary Ball Handler 1.9 1.51 Ryan Anderson Wing -0.59 -1.56 Ryan Gomes Wing 0.04 -0.73 Ryan Hollins Big -2.95 1 Ryan Humphrey Big -2.57 0.48 Ryan Kelly Wing -0.22 -0.49 Ryan Reid Big -1.5 1.7 Ryan Robertson Primary Ball Handler 2.64 0.44 Salim Stoudamire Primary Ball Handler 3.82 -0.74 Sam Dekker Wing -0.53 0.89 Sam Young Wing -0.11 -0.41 Samuel Dalembert Big -4.06 1.87 Scot Pollard Wing -1.54 -1.51 Scott Padgett Wing 0.47 0.77 Sean Kilpatrick Primary Ball Handler 2.22 -1.72 Sean Lampley Wing -0.07 -0.93 Sean May Big -3.36 -1.64 Sean Singletary Primary Ball Handler 3.69 -1.34 Sean Williams Big -3.1 1.08 Semaj Christon Primary Ball Handler 1.61 0.66 Seth Tuttle Wing -0.31 -1.9 Shabazz Muhammad Wing 0.16 0.21 Shabazz Napier Primary Ball Handler 3.43 -0.85 Shane Battier Wing 1.05 -0.06 Shane Larkin Primary Ball Handler 4.25 1.62 Shannon Brown Primary Ball Handler 2.11 0.01 Shawn Marion Wing -1.22 0.23 Shawne Williams Wing -0.23 0.14 Shelden Williams Big -3.29 -1.61 Shelvin Mack Primary Ball Handler 2.53 0.29 Sir'Dominic Pointer Wing -0.67 0.87 Skal Labissiere Big -2.98 2.19 Solomon Alabi Big -3.28 -0.4 Solomon Hill Primary Ball Handler 1.65 0.45 Solomon Jones Big -2.38 0.76 Sonny Weems Primary Ball Handler 1.74 0.99 Speedy Claxton Primary Ball Handler 3.73 -2.13 Spencer Dinwiddie Primary Ball Handler 2.89 -1.04 Spencer Hawes Big -2.55 0 Stanley Johnson Wing 0.58 0.49 Stanley Robinson Wing -1.02 1.19 Stephane Lasme Big -4.36 -0.14 Stephen Curry Primary Ball Handler 3.77 -3.36 Stephen Zimmerman Big -3.04 0.73 Steve Blake Primary Ball Handler 4.46 1.21 Steve Francis Primary Ball Handler 2.09 0.24 Steve Novak Primary Ball Handler 2.87 -0.45 Steven Adams Big -3.73 3.33 Steven Hunter Big -3.48 2.13 Stromile Swift Big -2.81 0.06 T.J. Ford Primary Ball Handler 3.7 0.48 T.J. McConnell Primary Ball Handler 2.77 0.58 T.J. Warren Wing -1.15 -0.56 Taj Gibson Big -3.49 0.86 Tamar Slay Primary Ball Handler 2.06 -0.32 Tariq Abdul-Wahad Wing -0.66 -2.18 Taurean Green Primary Ball Handler 3.51 0.17 Taurean Prince Wing 1.04 0.09 Taylor Griffin Wing -0.27 0.46 Tayshaun Prince Wing -0.06 0.85 Terence Morris Wing -1.03 0.3 Terrence Jones Wing -1.4 1.24 Terrence Ross Primary Ball Handler 1.47 0.83 Terrence Williams Primary Ball Handler 1.84 2.17 Terrico White Primary Ball Handler 1.69 1.22 Terry Rozier Primary Ball Handler 1.95 0.71 Thaddeus Young Primary Ball Handler 1.13 1.7 Thomas Robinson Wing -1.75 -0.09 Tim Duncan Big -3.75 -0.75 Tim Hardaway Primary Ball Handler 1.76 1.77 Tim James Wing -1.47 -0.3 Tim Thomas Wing 0.19 0.35 Tim Young Wing -1.39 -0.08 Tiny Gallon Big -3.07 0.58 Tito Maddox Primary Ball Handler 2.36 0.99 Tobias Harris Wing -0.58 0.28 Toney Douglas Primary Ball Handler 2.37 -1.01 Tony Allen Wing 0.33 0.47 Tony Battie Big -2.82 -0.32 Tony Mitchell Wing -1.02 0.18 Tony Snell Primary Ball Handler 2.52 0.77 Tony Wroten Wing 0.25 0.87 Trajan Langdon Primary Ball Handler 3.07 -0.25 Travis Diener Primary Ball Handler 4.4 -1.32 Travis Hansen Primary Ball Handler 1.29 -1.05 Travis Leslie Wing 0.41 -0.08 Trenton Hassell Primary Ball Handler 1.27 -1.71 Trevor Ariza Wing -0.64 2.59 Trevor Booker Wing -1.17 0.44 Trey Burke Primary Ball Handler 2.84 0.76 Trey Lyles Big -1.82 1.05 Trey Thompkins Big -2.27 -0.32 Tristan Thompson Big -2.96 2.19 Troy Bell Primary Ball Handler 3.78 -1.59 Troy Murphy Wing -0.69 -1.39 Ty Lawson Primary Ball Handler 3.78 -0.78 Tyler Ennis Primary Ball Handler 2.74 1.5 Tyler Hansbrough Wing -0.87 -3.43 Tyler Harvey Primary Ball Handler 2.32 -2.37 Tyler Honeycutt Primary Ball Handler 1.22 1.84 Tyler Johnson Primary Ball Handler 1.88 -0.49 Tyler Ulis Primary Ball Handler 3.67 0.26 Tyler Zeller Big -2.58 -1.66 Tyreke Evans Wing 0.42 0.07 Tyrone Wallace Primary Ball Handler 0.88 0.52 Tyrus Thomas Big -3.41 1.53 Tyshawn Taylor Primary Ball Handler 2.46 0.67 Tyus Jones Primary Ball Handler 3.21 0.93 Vernon Macklin Big -3.71 1.68 Victor Oladipo Wing 0.94 0.22 Vincent Yarbrough Wing 0.89 0.71 Von Wafer Primary Ball Handler 2.27 1.65 Vonteego Cummings Primary Ball Handler 2.59 0.99 Wade Baldwin Primary Ball Handler 2.61 0.23 Wally Szczerbiak Wing -0.63 -2.67 Walter Sharpe Big -3.32 0.23 Wayne Ellington Primary Ball Handler 2.25 0.6 Wayne Simien Wing -2.5 -2.07 Wesley Johnson Wing 0.36 0.31 Will Barton Wing 0.3 -0.01 Will Blalock Primary Ball Handler 3.05 1.78 Will Solomon Primary Ball Handler 3.15 0.14 William Avery Primary Ball Handler 2.83 0.9 Willie Cauley-Stein Big -2.15 1.92 Willie Green Wing 0.99 -2.4 Willie Warren Primary Ball Handler 1.63 -0.43 Wilson Chandler Wing -0.54 1.61 Xavier Henry Primary Ball Handler 1.98 1.17 Xavier Thames Primary Ball Handler 2.9 -1.7 Zach LaVine Primary Ball Handler 2.4 2.48 Zach Randolph Big -3.46 0.66

After we have bucketed players into the aforementioned player archetypes, we created a matrix of every possible player combination within each player archetype. Because we only paired players in our dataset within the same position group, wing players will only be compared to other wing players, big men will only be compared to other bigs, and primary ball handlers compared to primary ball handlers. Once we have created a matrix of every player combination, we calculated the similarity scores by taking the absolute differences between the players in each statistic and physical measurement, weighted, summed, and adjusted by Strength of Schedule. We made use of player-level basic box-score statistics (e.g. points, rebounds, assists , etc.) adjusted per 40 minutes, age / experience and physical measurements (e.g. Body Fat, wingspan, and vertical). Player-level box-score statistics were adjusted by strength of schedule to properly account for the level of competition in order to more granularly capture the differences in statistics produced by college basketball players. For example, Stephen Curry at Davidson faced a much different slate of opponents than Devin Booker at Kentucky. Even though Stephen Curry and Devin Booker both shot roughly 40 percent from three, these players accomplished that by facing differing levels of competition and circumstances. By adjusting for Strength of Schedule, we are making players like Stephen Curry and Devin Booker “less similar” since their respective paths to shooting 40 percent from 3 were different.

Below is the mathematical formula for calculating the college similarity score and NBA Similarity Score for a given set of players. represent the weights corresponding to each statistic ; so, the college similarity score is the sum of the weighted difference for each box score statistic between player and player adjusted by to the absolute value of the difference in player and player strength of schedule divided fifty. Note that we divide by 50 to reduce the impact of the strength of schedule adjustment. Age / Experience and physical measurements are not adjusted for strength of schedule. NBA similarity scores do not take into account age / experience and physical measurements or adjust for strength of schedule; therefore, they are simply the sum of the weighted difference of each statistic for each player and player .

In order to get the weights for each statistic, we used a stochastic optimization algorithm known as simulated annealing. For each position archetype, we tried to find the set of college and NBA weights such that college similarity scores matched up most closely with NBA similarity scores. We measured this by the adjusted R-squared, or percent of variance explained, of the two sets of scores. Note that each position archetype will have a different set of weights. For further details on simulated annealing see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulated_annealing.

Once we calculated the similarity score value for each player combination, we then took the percentile the player combination fell within their position grouping. This gives us a relative and more interpretable value between 0 and 100.

Results / Interpretation

The similarity score algorithm gives us some interesting takeaways. First off, as one might expect, superstars often do not have many comparable players. For example, Kevin Durant’s highest ranked comparable players were Anthony Bennett (81.5), Jabari Parker (81.0), and Keith Van Horn (79.7); contrast that with a role player like Otto Porter Jr who’s top comparable players—Derrick Brown, Kelly Oubre, Stanley Johnson and Mike Miller—all received scores around 99. This makes sense, as obviously there are more role players in the NBA than superstars. But there are some superstars that have high comparison scores (e.g. Russell Westbrook who’s most similar players included Marquis Teague (99.8), Tyler Ennis (98.5), and D.J. Strawberry (98.3)) Conversely, there are role players without very many comparable players, such as, Kelly Olynyk, who only had 4 players score 80 or higher in similarity.

It is important to remember (for interpretation) that these 0 to 100 similarity values are being presented as a percentile and therefore are uniformly distributed between 0 and 100. The interpretation of the similarity score is simple: as an example, Kevin Durant and Anthony Bennett’s similarity score can be read as, “Kevin Durant and Anthony Bennett rank in the 81st percentile for player similarities at the wing.”

In addition to observing the similarity scores, the optimized weights by player archetype can also tell us important differences between position groupings and which college statistics translate to the NBA. Bigs saw 3-point percentage as the most heavily weighted statistic, while wings had a more even spread of weights among variables; this makes sense since wings often contribute more uniformly to box score statistics. Primary ball handlers saw free throw percentage, assists and steals as the highest weighted variables. The differences in which variables are mostly heavily weighted by position grouping shows some of the differences within each group. For instance, there are defensive Point Guards (i.e. Ricky Rubio, Patrick Beverly, etc.) that are a top the league in steals, playmaking point guards (i.e. Ricky Rubio (again), John Wall, etc.) who lead in assists and (efficient) scoring Point Guards like Stephen Curry and Damien Lillard who shot the ball well meaning they likely have a high Free Throw Percentage.

In order to help you better understand how we would use Similarity Scores in prospect evaluation, let’s take a look at the Minnesota Timberwolves 5th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, Kris Dunn. Prior to the 2016 NBA Draft, Kris Dunn profiled as an older player with good size, a good motor, playmaking ability, and defensive prowess, but questionable shooting ability and decision making. Maybe the biggest question surrounding Kris Dunn’s NBA potential was his ability to be an efficient scorer in the NBA. While Kris Dunn shot 37.2 percent from 3 his Junior year at Providence College, the questions around Kris Dunn’s shot-making ability were drawn from his inconsistent shooting form and poor free throw shooting (69.5% his junior year). If we take a look at Kris Dunn’s top ten most similar college players (in the table below), we might be able to garner a better idea of Kris Dunn’s likelihood of becoming a good NBA shooter. The first thing we notice is that, while this is certainly an impressive group of comparable players for Kris Dunn, a majority of these players have been unsuccessful in becoming good NBA shooters. But, although poor shooters, most of these players have still been able to carve out productive (even extremely productive, e.g. John Wall) NBA careers, which bodes well for Kris Dunn. Based solely on this list of comparable players, we would not expect Kris Dunn to become a good NBA shooter, but rather (most likely) an effective distributor and defender in the NBA (eerily similar to a point guard already in Minnesota).



Rank Player Position Similarity Score 1 Jamaal Tinsley PG 99.9 2 Antonio Daniels PG/SG 98.2 3 John Wall PG 98.1 4 Michael Carter-Williams PG 97.7 5 John Salmons SG/SF 94.9 6 Andre Miller PG 94.5 7 Jerian Grant PG 94.2 8 Nick Calathes PG/SG 91.6 9 Lorenzo Brown PG 89.0 10 Marcus Smart PG/SG 88.9

Conclusion

The similarity score algorithm is another tool that could be used to evaluate college basketball prospects. Coupled with the PNSP model and scouting, we can start to paint a broader picture of how a given player’s game will translate to the NBA level.

Check out Similarity Scores for 2016 NBA Draftees, here.

Written by Marc Richards and Jack Werner