AI predictions, tested like a lab

We don't guess.
We backtest.

Frontier AI models propose ways to improve the rankings, then Ball Ranks replays every change across completed seasons. If an idea cannot improve the past, it does not reach your free Model Zero board.

Draft with receipts

Free. No signup. The AI does the homework — you take the credit.

Backtest reportPASSED
  • 15 seasonsevery model change replayed before it ships
  • 8 official boardsarchived ESPN and Yahoo predictions scored
  • 7 board winsModel Zero produced the smaller miss
  • Public methodsthe wins and losses stay visible in the receipts
Output · 2026-27 top of the board

AI-trained rankings

More accurate than the official boards.We bring the receipts.

Model Zero is free, battle-tested, and already excellent. Frontier AI models keep trying to beat it across real NBA history; only improvements that hold up make the board.

15

Seasons tested

1,438

Player comparisons

7 of 8

ESPN & Yahoo tests won

Explore Model Zero Read the receipts

How much we beat each board by

Bigger orange bars mean a bigger Ball Ranks win. The lone teal bar shows just how narrow the one loss was.

7/8

Boards won

Ball Ranks wonESPN or Yahoo won
Board-by-board results and values
Accessible summary of the Ball Ranks comparison with each archived ESPN and Yahoo board
BoardWinnerBall Ranks missExternal missPlayers
ESPN 21-22Ball Ranks25.3328.16182
ESPN 22-23Ball Ranks27.5828.47188
ESPN 23-24Ball Ranks18.5819.63143
Yahoo 23-24Ball Ranks32.0234.75244
ESPN 24-25Ball Ranks21.2628.25140
Yahoo 24-25Ball Ranks32.5934.10233
ESPN 25-26Ball Ranks20.9625.82131
Yahoo 25-26ESPN or Yahoo29.8128.82177

Lower miss values are better. Each row compares the same matched players from one archived preseason board.

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Intelligent chat

Ask one question.Get the whole league.

ChatGPT and other AIs have a massive fantasy blind spot. Training cutoffs miss the latest news, broad web searches miss what matters, and they don't know your roster. Ball Ranks starts with a daily trusted-news brief, our player data, and your team, with direct insider updates and deeper league activity rolling out next—so its advice can fit your situation.

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ChatGPT + other AI

A massive fantasy blind spot.

A training cutoff, a broad web search, and no idea what is happening inside your league.

BallChat

Starts with the whole picture.

Trusted reporting, Ball Ranks data, your roster, plus richer league and insider context as it rolls out.

Daily basketball brief

ESPN, Yahoo, and other trusted sources—distilled before you ask.

Direct insider updates

Rolling out

Shams, Woj, and the updates that can move rotations first.

Ball Ranks player data

Stats, projections, trends, ranks, and category value.

Your team & league

Roster live

Your saved roster is available now. External league settings and activity are coming next.

BallChat

Current news · Ball Ranks projections · your roster

Neemias Queta is available. Does he fit the roster I saved in Ball Ranks, and who would I cut?
Your roster checkedBall Ranks projections checked

Yes. Compared with the roster you saved, his blocks fill a need and your build can absorb the free-throw risk. Your lowest-ranked center is the cleanest cut. Here's how the move changes your categories…

+ BLK
Fits your build
Available now
One answer, assembled from the whole picture.

Initials are illustrative, not profile photos. News sources shown as examples. Direct insider updates are rolling out and depend on source availability. Shams Charania and Adrian Wojnarowski are not affiliated with or endorsing Ball Ranks.

Every player has a story

Don't just see a rank.See how they got there.

Open any player and move through years of production, role, category value, and rank. The trend graph makes the leap—or the warning sign—visible before draft night.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Career trend

Points per game

See the whole climb.

Every season.
Every player.

21-2222-2323-2424-2525-2626-27 Projection
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Coming soon
Neemias Queta

“Tell me when Neemias Queta records more than 5 blocks.”

Alert fired

Queta just recorded his sixth block.

Kristaps Porziņģis

“Tell me when Kristaps Porziņģis misses 3 games in a row so I can reconsider the roster spot.”

Alert fired

Porziņģis has missed his third straight game. Time to review the roster spot.

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