Humanized Version
There was a time, not so long ago, when getting a real feel for young basketball talent felt a bit like trying to find a needle in a very big haystack. You might hear whispers, see a highlight or two, but getting the full picture, the kind that helps you truly appreciate what a player brings to the court, was quite a challenge. Then came a particular online spot, a place that, in a way, changed how many of us thought about watching basketball prospects grow and develop. It offered a kind of deep look that was, honestly, pretty new for its time.
This place became a go-to for many, a kind of friendly guide for anyone interested in the future stars of the game. It wasn't just about who could jump the highest or score the most points; it was about getting into the nooks and crannies of a player's game, giving folks a sense of their true potential. So, it really helped shape how people talked about and looked at young basketball players, making the whole process of scouting feel a lot more open and approachable, which was a welcome change for a lot of fans, you know?
It helped to build a shared conversation around these athletes, offering up details and thoughts that you just couldn't find as easily anywhere else. This spot brought a certain level of detail to the discussion, allowing fans, coaches, and even those working in the sport to get a more rounded idea of what a player might become. It was, in some respects, a very important part of how many came to appreciate the journey of basketball talent from their younger years all the way to the professional level.
Table of Contents
- Jonathan Givony - The Person Behind Draft Express
- What Made Draft Express So Influential?
- How Did Draft Express Break Down Player Skills?
- Did Draft Express Change How We See Prospects?
- What's the Story of Draft Express Now?
Jonathan Givony - The Person Behind Draft Express
When we talk about Draft Express, it’s honestly hard not to talk about Jonathan Givony. He’s someone who has spent a truly significant amount of his working life looking at young basketball players, trying to figure out who has what it takes. He's the person who started Draft Express, building it from the ground up, and his eye for talent became something many people really trusted. He had a way of seeing things in players that others might miss, and that was a big part of why the site became so popular, you know?
His opinions carried a lot of weight, too. For instance, he felt a certain player, Ace, was a definite star in the making, someone who just couldn't miss. That kind of strong belief from someone like Givony, who had seen so many players come and go, really made people sit up and pay attention. He also had a high regard for other players, like Kyle and Derek, but his view on some prospects was particularly strong, which, in a way, helped set the tone for how others might view them.
Later on, Jonathan Givony moved over to ESPN, bringing his deep knowledge of basketball prospects with him. Even after that move, his insights, often shared through ESPN, continued to be a key part of the conversation around up-and-coming players. He would, for example, point out things like a player's increased playing time, noting how that might affect their standing in the eyes of professional teams. His work, essentially, continued to shape how many saw the future of basketball talent, which is pretty cool, if you think about it.
Personal Details - Jonathan Givony
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Role | Founder of Draft Express, Basketball Prospect Evaluator, Reporter/Analyst |
| Primary Focus | Evaluating basketball prospects from high school, NCAA, and international levels |
| Known For | Deep scouting information, mock drafts, detailed articles on player potential |
| Later Affiliation | ESPN NBA Draft Analyst and Reporter |
What Made Draft Express So Influential?
Draft Express had a way of getting into the details that few others did at the time. Before it became a big name, there were other places to get draft information, sure, like NBA Draft Net. But Draft Express offered something that felt a bit more complete, a very thorough kind of look at players. It was a site that gave you a lot to chew on, from scouting reports that truly broke down a player's game to mock drafts that offered a clear picture of how things might shake out. It really brought a new level of depth to the whole idea of prospect evaluation, you know?
They weren't just throwing out names; they were providing articles that went into why a player was considered good, or what they needed to work on. This included extensive coverage of players coming from high school, those playing in college, and even international prospects. It was a place where you could get a feel for a player's background and their journey, which, in some respects, made the whole draft process feel a lot more personal and interesting. This kind of comprehensive approach was, honestly, a big reason why so many people kept coming back to the site.
The site also offered things like detailed team stats, giving you a sense of how different numbers might relate to a player's potential at the next level. They even had a glossary to help you make sense of the statistics and how they were put together, which was very helpful for those who wanted to dig a little deeper. This commitment to explaining the data, making it accessible, was a really thoughtful touch, and it showed how much they cared about helping people truly grasp the information they were sharing.
How Did Draft Express Break Down Player Skills?
One of the things that made Draft Express stand out was its unique way of looking at a player's physical abilities. For instance, they had a particular take on how to measure a player's jump. According to them, the "no step vert" was actually a more useful number than the "max vert." The idea was that the "no step vert" gives you a pretty good idea of how tall a player can get off the ground without taking any steps, which, in a way, tells you a lot about their immediate explosiveness in tight spaces on the court. This kind of specific, reasoned approach to athletic testing was quite insightful, and it showed their commitment to finding the most relevant data points.
They also collected and shared average athletic testing numbers, like height, weight, wingspan, and standing reach, for basketball players across different positions. This meant you could see how a player's physical measurements stacked up against others in their position, which was pretty useful for context. If a player could play multiple positions, they were included in the averages for all those positions, too. This thoroughness in collecting and presenting data gave fans and scouts alike a clearer picture of a player's physical tools, helping everyone get a better sense of what they were seeing.
Beyond just the raw numbers, Draft Express also looked at a player's actual basketball skills in a very detailed way. Take "the Wolf," for example. He was described as a player who stood 6'10" and could shoot, dribble, and pass. What made him special was that he did these things better than most other players of his size in the draft class. His passing, in particular, was seen as a very strong point, suggesting a high level of court vision and playmaking ability. This kind of detailed, skill-focused analysis was a hallmark of their approach, offering insights that went beyond simple statistics and into the actual feel of a player's game.
Did Draft Express Change How We See Prospects?
It's fair to say that Draft Express had a pretty big impact on how many of us came to view basketball prospects. By offering such detailed scouting reports and mock drafts, they helped shape expectations and conversations around young players. When Jonathan Givony, for instance, said a player was a "can't miss star," that really stuck with people, influencing how they watched that player's games. So, in some respects, they helped create a common language and a shared set of expectations for what to look for in future professional players, which was a pretty powerful thing.
They also brought attention to players who might not have been on everyone's radar. For example, they listed players like Blackmon and Yogi in their 2016 mock draft, even if they weren't on the 2015 list, showing how their evaluations could change and adapt as players developed. This kind of dynamic analysis, reflecting a player's growth and new information, was a very important part of their process. It meant their views were always evolving, offering a fresh perspective on talent as it emerged.
The site also explored interesting topics like the expected value of NBA draft picks, which was a pretty new feature at the time. This kind of deeper look into the economics and strategy of the draft went beyond just player evaluations, giving readers a more complete picture of the entire draft process. It truly added another layer to the discussion, making the site a valuable resource for anyone interested in the bigger picture of how professional basketball teams build their rosters.
What's the Story of Draft Express Now?
The story of Draft Express, like many things online, has changed over time. While the site itself, draftexpress.com, still exists on the internet, it no longer publishes new content. All the articles, rankings, mock drafts, and event coverage that were created over the years remain there, serving as a kind of historical record. So, you can still go back and look at what they said about players from years past, which is pretty cool if you're interested in seeing how predictions played out or how players developed from their early days.
Jonathan Givony, as mentioned, eventually moved his work over to ESPN, where he continued to share his insights and analysis. This meant that the fresh, up-to-the-minute scouting information that people had come to expect from Draft Express was now being delivered through a different platform. It was a shift that, in a way, marked the end of an era for the independent Draft Express as a source of new content, but it also showed how influential Givony's work had become.
Despite the change in new content, the archives of Draft Express are still a treasure trove for anyone interested in basketball history and player evaluation. You can find mock archives going back years, like the 2017, 2016, and 2015 mock drafts. This allows you to trace the evolution of their thinking on different draft classes and individual players, which is a really unique resource for fans and those who follow the sport closely.
Exploring the Draft Express Archives
The archived content on Draft Express is quite extensive, offering a deep look into past draft classes. For instance, the 2017 NBA draft class was talked about as being full of really good guards, from someone like Markelle Fultz at the very top, all the way down to players like Luke Kennard or Frank Ntilikina. But the site also made sure to cover other positions, looking at excellent forward and big men prospects who came out of events like Basketball Without Borders. This kind of balanced coverage, making sure all types of players got their due, was a pretty important part of their approach, offering a complete picture of the talent pool.
You can also find detailed scouting reports for specific players, giving
