How Accurately Can the NBA Combine Statistics Predict Players' Performance in the NBA?
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Jebessa Mijena, PhD
Abstract
The National Basketball Association (NBA) hosts an event known as the Combine each year where college and international basketball players come to show off their skills/strengths to the coaches so that the coaching staff can strategically plan which player(s) they will pick at the NBA draft. There are numerous things that are measured in each player, including some measurements that seem unnecessary, but can actually play a role in the success of an NBA player. This project will be a deep dive into how the anthropometric characteristics and agility statistics of players entering the NBA affect player performance at the professional level. The predictors used in my analysis will not only include players’ height (which its advantage in basketball is quite obvious), but also their wingspan ratio, vertical reach, weight, body fat percentage, hand width/length, vertical leap, and 3-quarter court sprint. A player’s “per game” statistics including points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals will be used to determine the necessity and strength of certain predictors, along with number of championships, All-Star game appearances, and drafted status. This project will also divide the players into the five major positions of basketball in order to observe trends within each position.
Start Date
27-3-2024 2:20 PM
End Date
27-3-2024 2:28 PM
Location
Arts and Sciences 2-70
How Accurately Can the NBA Combine Statistics Predict Players' Performance in the NBA?
Arts and Sciences 2-70
The National Basketball Association (NBA) hosts an event known as the Combine each year where college and international basketball players come to show off their skills/strengths to the coaches so that the coaching staff can strategically plan which player(s) they will pick at the NBA draft. There are numerous things that are measured in each player, including some measurements that seem unnecessary, but can actually play a role in the success of an NBA player. This project will be a deep dive into how the anthropometric characteristics and agility statistics of players entering the NBA affect player performance at the professional level. The predictors used in my analysis will not only include players’ height (which its advantage in basketball is quite obvious), but also their wingspan ratio, vertical reach, weight, body fat percentage, hand width/length, vertical leap, and 3-quarter court sprint. A player’s “per game” statistics including points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals will be used to determine the necessity and strength of certain predictors, along with number of championships, All-Star game appearances, and drafted status. This project will also divide the players into the five major positions of basketball in order to observe trends within each position.