Basketball stats
in plain English.

PPG is total points scored divided by games played — the simplest measure of a scorer’s output.

RPG is total rebounds divided by games played — combining offensive and defensive boards into a single per-game number.

APG is total assists divided by games played — how many baskets per game a player directly created for a teammate.

SPG is total steals divided by games played — the cleanest counting stat for on-ball defensive playmaking.

BPG is total blocks divided by games played — the headline rim-protection stat for centers and forwards.

Turnovers per game is how often a player coughs up the ball — the negative twin of assists.

A double-double is a single game with double-digit totals in two of: points, rebounds, assists, steals, or blocks.

A triple-double is a single game with double-digit totals in three of: points, rebounds, assists, steals, or blocks.

TS% measures shooting efficiency across 2-pointers, 3-pointers, and free throws on a single 0–100 scale.

eFG% is FG% adjusted to give 3-pointers the bonus they deserve — a 3 is worth 50% more than a 2.

FG% is the share of shot attempts (2s and 3s combined) that go in — the most basic shooting efficiency metric.

3P% is the share of three-point attempts that go in — the cleanest measure of a shooter’s long-range accuracy.

FT% is the share of free throws made — the purest measure of unguarded shooting touch.

Free Throw Rate is FTA divided by FGA — how often a player draws fouls relative to how often they shoot.

PER is a per-game number summarizing everything a player does — scoring, rebounds, assists, defense, and turnovers.

Plus-minus is the team’s point differential while a player is on the floor — credits or charges every player on the court.

Game Score is John Hollinger’s single-number summary of a player’s value in one game — scaled like points.

Offensive Rating is points scored per 100 possessions — the standard pace-adjusted offensive efficiency metric.

Defensive Rating is points allowed per 100 possessions — the standard pace-adjusted defensive efficiency metric.

USG% measures the share of a team’s offensive plays a player is responsible for — shots, free throws, and turnovers combined.

AST/TO measures ball-control: how many assists a player creates for each turnover they commit.

TOV% estimates what percentage of a player’s possessions ended in a turnover — controlling for usage.

ORB% is the share of available offensive rebounds a player grabbed while on the floor.

DRB% is the share of available defensive rebounds a player grabbed while on the floor.

Pace is possessions per 48 minutes — how fast a team plays, independent of how well they score.