A comprehensive reference of basketball analytics terminology, metrics, and formulas. Search or filter by letter to find what you need.
229 terms in glossary
Shooting percentage on three-pointers from above the break.
Assist-to-turnover ratio adjusted for usage rate and role.
Percentage of rebound chances converted to actual rebounds.
Model of how player performance changes with age. Most metrics peak around 27, with gradual decline afterward. Informs contract valuations.
A salary level above the luxury tax line that restricts certain transactions. Teams above the apron face additional limitations on player acquisition.
Percentage of potential assists that result in actual assists.
AST CONV% = AST / POT AST
Estimate of the percentage of teammate field goals a player assisted while on the floor.
AST% = 100 * AST / (((MP / (Tm MP / 5)) * Tm FG) - FG)
Total points generated from assisted baskets.
Percentage of a team's field goals that were assisted.
Average speed in miles per hour while on the court.
Defensive intensity on the ball, measured by how closely the defender stays to the ball handler and disruption of passing lanes.
A $4.5M exception available every other year to teams below the apron. Cannot be combined with other exceptions.
Lineup featuring two traditional bigs (centers or power forwards). Provides rim protection and rebounding but may struggle with spacing.
A provision allowing teams to exceed the salary cap to re-sign players who have been with the team for 3+ years. Named after Larry Bird.
Aggressive PnR defense where both defenders trap the ball handler. High-risk, high-reward; requires excellent rotation from help defenders.
Estimate of the percentage of opponent 2PT FGA blocked while player is on floor.
Tracking-measured instances of a player establishing rebounding position by boxing out an opponent. Correlates strongly with defensive rebounding percentage.
Times a player boxes out an opponent on a missed shot.
A box score-based estimate of a player's contribution in points above league average per 100 possessions.
Model-estimated probability that a prospect fails to meet expectations.
Amount required to purchase a player's release from their international contract. Can exceed $2M for top EuroLeague players.
A placeholder charge against the salary cap for a team's own free agents. Allows teams to exceed the cap to re-sign their players.
Cumulative measure of a player's total career contribution.
FiveThirtyEight's player projection system using similarity scores to historical players. Provides probability distributions for career outcomes.
Shooting percentage on catch-and-shoot attempts (less than 2 dribbles, within 2 seconds of catch).
Points scored on catch-and-shoot attempts.
Shots taken within 2 seconds of receiving a pass with no dribbles. Tracking data reveals which players are most effective in catch-and-shoot situations.
Number of offensive fouls drawn by taking a charge.
Combination of closeout speed and technique. Good closeouts are fast enough to contest but controlled enough to avoid fly-bys.
How quickly a defender closes distance to a shooter after a pass. Measured in feet per second; faster closeouts reduce opponent shooting efficiency.
Average distance of closest defender on shot attempts (in feet).
Difference between your bet price and the closing line.
The five-player group used in close games' final minutes (typically last 5 minutes, within 5 points). Often differs from starters.
Game situations in final 5 minutes with score differential of 5 points or less.
Field goal percentage in clutch situations.
BPM calculated from college statistics.
The distance between the shooter and nearest defender at the time of shot release. Tighter contests (under 4 feet) significantly reduce shooting percentage.
Percentage of a player's rebounds that were contested.
CONT REB% = CONT REB / Total REB
Rebounds grabbed with an opponent within 3.5 feet.
A shot attempt with a defender within 4 feet. Tracking data categorizes contests as tight (2-4 ft), open (4-6 ft), or wide open (6+ ft).
Percentage of shots taken with a defender within 4 feet.
Number of shots contested (defender within 4 feet at release).
Shooting percentage on three-pointers from the corners (below the break).
High-leverage late-game minutes in close games. Performance in crunch time is often analyzed separately due to different strategic context.
Daily Adjusted and Regressed Kalman Optimized projections - a Bayesian player projection system.
A specific lineup combination that dominates opponents (originally coined for Warriors' small-ball lineup). Identified through extreme positive net ratings.
Opponent field goal percentage when player is the primary defender.
The defensive component of Box Plus-Minus, measuring defensive contribution.
The proportion of defensive possessions a player spends guarding the opponent's best offensive player. High load indicates defensive stopper role.
Points allowed per 100 possessions. Lower is better. Can be calculated for individuals or teams.
DRtg = (Points Allowed / Possessions) * 100
Estimate of percentage of available defensive rebounds grabbed while on floor.
Ability to defend multiple positions effectively. Measured by opponent efficiency across different position matchups.
Estimate of wins contributed by a player's defensive performance.
Rebounds intentionally left for teammates.
Number of times a player deflects or touches an opponent's pass.
Tracked instances when a defender tips or deflects a pass or dribble. Leading indicator of active hands and defensive engagement.
A contract where annual salary decreases each year (opposite of standard raises). Used to optimize future cap flexibility.
Difference between opponent normal FG% and FG% when defended by player.
DIFF% = Normal FG% - DFG%
Total distance traveled in miles while on the court.
Total distance covered during a game or possession, measured in miles. Elite defenders often cover more distance; efficient offenses minimize unnecessary movement.
Strategy of drafting international players and leaving them overseas to develop. Preserves roster spot while player gains experience.
Average number of dribbles per touch of the ball.
A drive that results in a pass to a perimeter shooter. Tracking identifies players who excel at creating shots for teammates via penetration.
Percentage of touches that result in a drive to the basket. Tracks how often a player attacks off the dribble versus spotting up or posting.
Points scored on drives to the basket.
Dribble moves toward the basket that get past the initial defender.
PnR defensive scheme where the big drops toward the rim to protect against rolls and drives, allowing mid-range shots. Effective against non-shooting bigs.
Rights to re-sign a player after 2 seasons with the team. Allows offers up to 175% of previous salary or league average, whichever is greater.
Field goal percentage adjusted for the fact that three-point field goals are worth 50% more than two-point field goals.
eFG% = (FG + 0.5 * 3PM) / FGA
Touches at the elbow (free throw line extended) area.
Touches received at the elbow (free throw line extended). Key location for facilitating bigs and versatile forwards.
Statistics normalized relative to the league average of their era.
Statistics modified to account for different playing conditions across eras. Adjusts for pace, league efficiency, and rule differences.
Dunks & Threes' modern player impact metric incorporating tracking data and play-by-play information.
Statistical measures used in European basketball. Similar to NBA but with differences due to shorter games (40 min), different three-point distance.
The predicted point value of a shot attempt based on location, defender distance, and other contextual factors.
Prediction-based metric measuring a player's contribution relative to expected value. Compares actual outcomes to model expectations.
The average expected return of a bet over many repetitions.
EV = (P(win) * Payout) - (P(loss) * Stake)
Points scored in fantasy basketball based on statistical performance.
Fantasy points relative to position average or draft cost.
Key differences from NBA: 10-minute quarters, smaller court, shorter 3-point line, different goaltending rules, 24-second shot clock for all possessions.
Basic shooting percentage: made field goals divided by attempted.
FG% = FGM / FGA
Total minutes a specific five-player lineup has played together. Sample size threshold typically 100+ minutes for reliable conclusions.
The percentage of individual possessions used that result in the player's team scoring at least one point.
Turnovers directly caused by defensive pressure (steals, charges, bad pass forced). Better metric than steals alone for measuring disruptive defense.
Quantified doubt in projections, typically represented as standard deviation or percentile ranges. Increases for younger players and longer time horizons.
Dean Oliver's four factors of basketball success: eFG%, TOV%, ORB%, FT/FGA.
Percentage of free throw attempts made.
FT% = FTM / FTA
Number of free throw attempts per field goal attempt. Measures ability to get to the line.
FTr = FTA / FGA
Number of times a player touches the ball in the offensive half-court. Distinguishes primary ball handlers from off-ball players.
Single-game measure of productivity, useful for identifying standout performances.
GmSc = PTS + 0.4*FG - 0.7*FGA - 0.4*(FTA-FT) + 0.7*ORB + 0.3*DRB + STL + 0.7*AST + 0.7*BLK - 0.4*PF - TOV
Field goals that give a team the lead for good in the final minute.
Fantasy value considering expected games played.
Late-game minutes in blowouts when outcomes are decided. Lineups during garbage time are excluded from meaningful statistical analysis.
A measure of how much defensive attention a player draws, calculated by tracking defender positioning relative to the player. High-gravity players create open looks for teammates.
Model-estimated probability of Hall of Fame induction.
PnR defensive scheme where the big shows hard on the ball handler to slow them, then recovers to the roller. Disrupts timing but requires mobility.
Frequency with which a player rotates to help a beaten teammate. High rates indicate good defensive awareness but may leave own assignment open.
PnR coverage that forces the ball handler toward the sideline/baseline while the big walls off the driving lane. Limits options to tough mid-range shots.
The win probability implied by betting odds.
Bonus payments tied to performance. Likely incentives (based on prior year) count against current cap; unlikely count against next year if earned.
Factors affecting how international players adjust to NBA: athleticism gap, game speed, defensive intensity, spacing differences.
Opponent efficiency when attempting isolation plays against a defender. Measured in points per possession (PPP); elite defenders hold opponents under 0.85 PPP.
Average points per possession across the league in a given season. Provides context for comparing individual efficiency across eras.
Measure of the importance of a situation based on win probability impact.
Point differential per 100 possessions for a specific 5-player lineup.
The number of effective lineup combinations available to a team. Teams with versatile players have more lineup flexibility.
Number of loose balls recovered by a player.
Tracking count of possessions gained from loose ball situations. Measures hustle and effort on 50/50 balls.
A punitive tax paid by teams exceeding the luxury tax threshold. Rate increases progressively (dollar-for-dollar to $3.75 per dollar over).
Bayesian statistical method used to estimate probability distributions. Applied in basketball for projecting player performance with uncertainty ranges.
Shooting percentage on two-point shots outside the restricted area but inside the three-point line.
The trend of increasing starter minutes in earlier eras versus modern load management. Affects raw counting statistics comparisons.
A straight bet on which team will win without a point spread.
The difference between offensive and defensive rating. Positive values indicate outscoring opponents.
NetRtg = ORtg - DRtg
The difference in team net rating with a specific lineup on court versus off court. Positive splits indicate lineups that outperform team baseline.
Rights to re-sign a player who has been with the team 1-2 seasons. Allows raises up to 120% of previous salary or 120% of minimum.
The offensive component of Box Plus-Minus, measuring offensive contribution.
Points scored per 100 possessions. Can be calculated for individuals or teams. League average is approximately 110-115.
ORtg = (Points / Possessions) * 100
Estimate of percentage of available offensive rebounds grabbed while on floor.
Estimate of wins contributed by a player's offensive performance.
Statistics from FIBA Olympic qualifying tournaments. Lower competition level means heavy adjustment needed for NBA projection.
Difference in team performance with a player on court vs. off court.
On/Off = On-Court NetRtg - Off-Court NetRtg
Shooting percentage on shots with no defender within 4 feet.
Average points allowed per game by a team.
The predicted total combined score of both teams.
Estimate of possessions per 48 minutes for a team. League average is approximately 100.
PACE ≈ 48 * (Poss / MP)
Estimated possessions per 48 minutes for a team. Historical pace has varied dramatically (1960s: 120+, 1990s: low 90s, modern: mid-100s).
Per-possession statistics that remove the effect of team pace. Essential for comparing players across different team systems.
Touches in the paint (key/lane area).
Any touch in the painted area. High paint touch frequency indicates rim-attacking or post-up playing style.
Number of partial defensive possessions where player was primary defender.
Overall rating of a player's passing ability and effectiveness.
Total number of passes thrown by a player per game. Combined with assists, reveals passing volume versus passing efficiency.
Measure of a player's best seasons or peak performance window.
The percentage of values that fall below a given value.
Effectiveness defending the three-point line, measured by opponent 3P% when defending perimeter players. Critical in modern spread offenses.
Opponent FG% on perimeter shots when player is the primary defender.
Ball touches outside the three-point line. Guards typically have high perimeter touch rates; bigs increasingly so in modern NBA.
Effectiveness defending ball screens, measured separately for ball handler coverage and roll man coverage. Multiple scheme options (drop, hedge, switch, blitz).
Primary European efficiency metric. Formula: (Points + Rebounds + Assists + Steals + Blocks + Fouls Drawn) - (Missed FG + Missed FT + TO + Shots Rejected + Fouls Committed).
All-in-one rating summing positive contributions and subtracting negative, normalized to league average of 15.
NBA Stats metric estimating a player's contribution to team success.
Raw point differential while a player is on the court. Positive means team outscored opponents.
+/- = Team Points - Opponent Points (on court)
The largest positive or negative differential when specific lineup combinations are on the floor together. Identifies synergies and anti-synergies.
One-on-one defense against the primary ball handler. Measures ability to contain dribble penetration without help.
The predicted margin of victory used for betting purposes.
Estimate of total points added above league average through scoring efficiency.
Total points created for teammates and self through playmaking.
The average number of points scored on each offensive possession. League average is approximately 1.10.
PPP = Points / Possessions
Average points scored per field goal attempt. Does not include free throws.
PPS = Points from FG / FGA
Average points scored per touch of the ball.
Estimate of total points saved above league average through defensive performance.
Offer sheet structure for restricted free agents designed to be difficult for the original team to match. Front-loaded or with specific escalators.
How player roles have changed over time. Modern centers shoot threes; point guards are taller; positions are increasingly fluid.
Philosophy emphasizing player skills over traditional positions. Lineups feature versatile players who can play multiple roles.
Estimate of total team possessions in a game.
POSS ≈ FGA - ORB + TOV + 0.44 * FTA
Ball touches in the post area (low block and mid-post). Tracks post-up frequency for traditional and modern bigs.
Touches in the post area (low block).
Passes that would result in an assist if the shooter makes the shot.
Passes that lead to shot attempts, regardless of whether the shot is made. Better measures playmaking than assists alone.
In Bayesian statistics, the initial belief about a parameter before observing data. Represents historical base rates or expert knowledge.
Projected career Value Over Replacement Player for draft prospects.
The certainty level of a statistical projection, often expressed as a confidence interval. Wider intervals indicate more uncertainty.
Composite score evaluating draft prospect potential.
The rate at which a player attempts pull-up jump shots versus catch-and-shoot attempts. Important for evaluating shot creation ability.
Points scored on pull-up shots.
Shooting percentage on pull-up jumpers (2+ dribbles before shooting).
FiveThirtyEight's player rating combining box score data, on-off statistics, and player tracking metrics.
ESPN's regularized adjusted plus-minus metric that combines on-off data with box score statistics.
Opportunities a player has to grab an available rebound.
How quickly a defender recovers after being beaten on a play. Fast recovery mitigates the damage of initial defensive breakdowns.
Statistical phenomenon where extreme performances tend to move toward average over time. Critical for projection systems.
Plus-minus adjusted for teammates and opponents using ridge regression to reduce noise.
Opponent FG% at the rim when player is the primary defender.
Shooting percentage on shots at the rim (within 4 feet of basket).
A defender's ability to deter shots at the rim, measured by opponent FG% at the rim when the player is protecting. Elite rim protectors hold opponents under 55%.
A $5.2M exception available to teams with cap space who use it to sign free agents. Replaces Mid-Level for cap space teams.
The systematic substitution pattern a coach uses throughout the game. Typically involves 8-10 players in defined rotation slots.
Analysis of how rule modifications affected statistical outputs. Examples: hand-checking ban (2004), three-point line distance changes.
Changes in number of games per season historically. Early NBA had fewer games; modern 82-game schedule started in 1967-68.
Credit given when a screen directly leads to a made basket. Tracks the impact of screeners who may not appear in traditional box score statistics.
Passes that lead to an assist (the pass before the assist pass). Identifies players who initiate ball movement in team offense.
Passes that lead to the assist pass (hockey assists).
Average time in seconds per touch of the ball.
Expected effective field goal percentage of shots a defender allows, based on shot location and contest. Lower is better.
Transaction where a free agent signs with their current team and is immediately traded. Allows the player to receive more money than signing directly elsewhere.
Measure of statistical similarity between two players.
Measure of how closely a player's profile matches historical comparisons. Used to project career trajectories based on similar players.
Lineup featuring undersized players at traditional big positions (e.g., 6'6" center). Sacrifices size for speed, spacing, and switching ability.
The average distance between offensive players, measured using tracking data. Better spacing (typically 15-18 feet between players) leads to more efficient offense.
Average speed in miles per hour during offensive and defensive possessions. Useful for measuring player conditioning and effort levels throughout games.
Strategy of alternating when star players are on the floor to ensure at least one is always playing. Optimizes total minutes of quality play.
Evolution of what statistics were officially recorded. Blocks and steals not tracked until 1973-74; turnovers official in 1977-78.
Estimate of the percentage of opponent possessions ending in a steal while player is on floor.
Combined value of steals and blocks for defensive prospect evaluation.
STOCK = STL + BLK
Measure of the difficulty of a team's opponents.
Waiving a player and spreading remaining guaranteed salary over double the remaining years plus one. Reduces annual cap hit but extends obligation.
Game situations in final minute with score differential of 3 points or less.
How often a player switches assignments on screens rather than fighting through or going over. Important in modern switch-heavy defenses.
Lineup featuring three players who primarily play guard positions. Maximizes ball handling and shooting but may be undersized.
Percentage of field goal attempts that are three-pointers.
3PAr = 3PA / FGA
Percentage of three-point attempts made.
3P% = 3PM / 3PA
The dramatic increase in three-point attempts starting around 2015. Changed optimal shot distribution and team construction.
Total seconds a player possesses the ball per game. High usage players typically have higher time of possession.
Total time in minutes a player possesses the ball.
Estimate of percentage of all available rebounds grabbed while on floor.
The average time in seconds a player possesses the ball per touch. Lower touch times indicate quick decision-making; higher times suggest isolation play or post-ups.
Number of times a player touches the ball.
Cap space created when trading away a player without receiving salary back. Can be used within one year to acquire players via trade.
Percentage of possessions played in transition (within first 7 seconds). Teams with high transition frequency often play faster pace.
Multiplier for converting college statistics to projected NBA stats.
Multiplier to estimate NBA production from international stats. Varies by league quality (EuroLeague: 0.7-0.8x, lower leagues: 0.5-0.6x).
The most comprehensive measure of shooting efficiency, accounting for field goals, three-pointers, and free throws in a single metric.
TS% = PTS / (2 * (FGA + 0.44 * FTA))
Estimate of turnovers committed per 100 plays (possessions used).
TOV% = 100 * TOV / (FGA + 0.44 * FTA + TOV)
Net rating when two specific players share the floor. Foundational for understanding player chemistry and optimal pairings.
A contract type allowing players to split time between NBA and G-League rosters. Limited to 50 NBA days; doesn't count against roster limit.
EuroLeague ranking system for teams based on historical performance. Determines competition seeding and qualification.
Rebounds grabbed without an opponent within 3.5 feet.
Estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while on the floor, ending in FGA, FTA, or turnover.
USG% = 100 * ((FGA + 0.44 * FTA + TOV) * (Tm MP / 5)) / (MP * (Tm FGA + 0.44 * Tm FTA + Tm TOV))
Box score estimate of points per 100 possessions contributed above a replacement-level player, adjusted for minutes played.
Rotation from defenders away from the ball to provide help defense. Critical for protecting the rim when ball-side defenders are beaten.
The change in win probability caused by a player's actions.
Real-time model calculating each team's chance of winning based on score, time remaining, and possession. Updates continuously during games.
Estimate of the number of wins contributed by a player due to offense and defense.
Win Shares normalized to per-48-minute rate for player comparison.
WS/48 = WS / (MP / 48)
Estimate of total wins a player contributes above a replacement-level player over a season.
European club development programs that train players from young ages. Produces fundamentally sound players (e.g., Real Madrid, Barcelona academies).
Number of standard deviations above or below the mean.
Z = (X - μ) / σ