
ESPN determines player position eligibility in fantasy basketball based on an updated list of every player's position eligibility, including rookies, sent by the NBA before each season. While ESPN reserves the right to designate a different position for a player, the primary position cannot be changed once the season has begun. However, players can gain additional eligibility for other positions during the season if circumstances warrant it. Eligibility is determined by the Commissioner's Office, which uses several subjective criteria, including official designations made by the NBA or other organizations and player appearances in a certain number of games at a particular position.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Primary Position Eligibility | Before each season, ESPN receives an updated list of every player's primary position eligibility from the NBA. This list includes rookies and veterans. |
| Additional Position Eligibility | The FBA League Office uses subjective criteria to determine additional eligibility during the season. Criteria may include the number of games played at a position, official designations by the NBA, and suggestions from owners. |
| Multiple-Position Eligibility | Determined by the Commissioner's Office. Players can gain eligibility in multiple positions if they start or appear in a certain number of games at that position. |
| Custom Leagues | In custom leagues, league managers cannot change a player's listed position. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- ESPN receives an updated list of player positions from the NBA before each season
- ESPN reserves the right to change a player's primary position
- Players can gain eligibility for additional positions during the season
- Eligibility is never taken away from a player
- League managers cannot change a player's position

ESPN receives an updated list of player positions from the NBA before each season
ESPN's Fantasy Basketball allows users to adjust their rosters to their preferences. While the default roster includes one point guard, one shooting guard, one small forward, one power forward, one center, one guard, one forward, three utility spots, and three bench spots, users can adjust these settings. For example, they can add multiple starters at each position or do away with generic guard and forward positions. They can also eliminate or reduce utility spots and add more bench spots.
ESPN's multiple-position eligibility is determined by the Commissioner's Office. While the primary positions are fixed and will not change during the season, players can gain additional eligibility based on several subjective criteria. These include the official designations made by the NBA or other organisations, though this may not always result in expanded eligibility for a player. Owners can write to the League Office with suggestions if they feel a particular player deserves additional eligibility.
Selling Basketball Shoes: Strategies for Success and Profitability
You may want to see also
Explore related products

ESPN reserves the right to change a player's primary position
ESPN's ability to change a player's position is limited to specific circumstances. For example, ESPN cannot change the listed position of any player in a custom league, and league managers do not have the ability to change a player's position. Additionally, the primary positions listed before the season are fixed and will not change for the duration of the season.
The criteria for determining position eligibility vary across sports. For example, in fantasy baseball, eligibility is based on the number of games played at a position, with players needing to play at least 25% of their games at a position the previous season (a minimum of five games) to qualify. In basketball, the criteria are less clear, and ESPN's decisions on position eligibility have been a source of frustration for some users.
While ESPN provides a platform for fantasy basketball, it is important to note that the company's decisions on player positions may not always align with expectations. The eligibility of players for specific positions can impact team composition and strategy in fantasy basketball leagues, highlighting the significance of understanding the rules and criteria ESPN uses to determine position eligibility.
Arah O'Neal: Basketball Legacy and Rising Star
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Players can gain eligibility for additional positions during the season
ESPN receives an updated list of every player's position eligibility from the NBA before each season, including rookies. This list determines each player's primary position, which will remain fixed for the duration of the season.
However, players can gain eligibility for additional positions during the season if circumstances warrant it. While the specific criteria are not publicly available, it appears that a player's starting position and the number of minutes played in a different position may be considered. Owners may write to the League Office with suggestions if they feel a particular player deserves additional eligibility.
There have been instances where players have started in a different position from the one listed by ESPN, leading to confusion and frustration among fantasy basketball players. For example, Keldon Johnson was listed as a power forward by ESPN, but some users noted that he had started every game in the power forward position. Similarly, Tobias Harris was listed as a small forward by ESPN, but users reported that he was playing the power forward position for the Sixers.
Basketball Legends: Strategies for Securing the Gold Cup
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$7.99 $11.99

Eligibility is never taken away from a player
ESPN reserves the right to change a player's primary position under certain circumstances. However, eligibility will never be revoked. League Managers do not have the ability to change a player's position.
In ESPN Fantasy Basketball, players can gain eligibility in multiple positions. For example, a player might have eligibility as a power forward (PF) and a small forward (SF). This eligibility is determined by the Commissioner's Office, and it is based on several subjective criteria.
While ESPN sets the primary positions for players at the start of each season, these positions are fixed and will not change during the season. However, players can gain additional eligibility for other positions if circumstances warrant it. This means that eligibility can be gained, but never taken away.
ESPN's Fantasy Basketball platform has been criticised for its handling of player positions. Some users have expressed frustration over the lack of updates to player positions, even when they consistently start in a different position. This has led to confusion and dissatisfaction among users.
Personal Foul Ejections in High School Basketball Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products

League managers cannot change a player's position
League managers do not have the ability to change a player's position. Before each season, ESPN receives an updated list of every player's position eligibility from the NBA, including rookies. ESPN reserves the right to designate a different position for a player and can change a player's primary position under certain circumstances. However, once the season has begun, ESPN cannot change the primary position. While a player can gain additional eligibility for other positions during the season if circumstances warrant it, league managers cannot change the listed position of any player in the game.
ESPN Fantasy Basketball offers a variety of settings for league managers to customize their leagues. League managers can adjust roster settings, scoring systems, and draft orders. They can also choose to autopick, allowing ESPN to draft teams for them based on NBA rosters. While league managers can make various adjustments to enhance their fantasy basketball experience, changing a player's position is not within their control.
The determination of multiple-position eligibility is handled by the Commissioner's Office, which also manages the pool of undroppable players. The Commissioner's Office considers several subjective criteria and official designations by organizations like the NBA when determining additional eligibility. While league managers cannot change a player's position, they can provide suggestions to the League Office if they feel a player deserves additional eligibility.
ESPN's Fantasy Basketball platform aims to provide a fun and customizable experience for league managers and players. While league managers have autonomy in adjusting various settings, the player's position eligibility is determined by ESPN based on information provided by the NBA. This ensures consistency and fairness across all leagues, preventing league managers from gaining an unfair advantage by changing player positions to suit their strategies.
It is important to note that ESPN's policies on position eligibility may evolve over time. While league managers currently cannot change a player's position, ESPN may introduce new features or updates that could impact how position eligibility is managed in the future. ESPN's support pages and community forums are valuable resources for league managers and players to stay informed about any changes or updates to position eligibility policies.
Huaraches: The New Basketball Shoe Trend?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The NBA sends ESPN an updated list of every player's position eligibility before each season, including rookies. ESPN can designate a different position for a player and reserve the right to change a player's primary position. Players can gain additional eligibility for other positions during the season if circumstances warrant it.
A standard roster includes one point guard (PG), one shooting guard (SG), one small forward (SF), one power forward (PF), one center (C), one guard (G), one forward (F), three utility spots (UTIL) and three bench spots (BE).
ESPN Fantasy Basketball offers two scoring formats: Rotisserie (Roto) and Head-to-Head: Points. In the Rotisserie format, teams are ranked in each statistical category, and points are awarded based on the order in each category to determine an overall score and league rank. The Head-to-Head: Points format is similar to fantasy football, where a given point value is assigned to individual statistical categories, and winners are determined by the most points accumulated against a single opponent.
The draft order is in a snake format, ensuring each draft position has its advantages and disadvantages. The manager who picks first will make their next pick at No. 20, then No. 21, and so on. The manager who picks last in the first round (10th) will also get the 11th pick but will wait until picks 30 and 31 for their next selections.
Multiple-position eligibility is determined by the Commissioner's Office. Eligibility is based on several subjective criteria, and official designations by the NBA or other organisations are considered. Players gain new eligibility at a position by appearing in a minimum number of games or starts, depending on their role.


























