Fg Calculation: A Guide For Basketball Players

how to calculate fg in basketball

Field goal percentage (FG%) is a performance statistic in basketball that calculates the percentage of successful shots (2 or 3 points) out of all attempted shots (again, 2 or 3 points). It does not include free throw attempts or baskets. To calculate FG%, you divide the number of baskets made by the total number of baskets attempted. For example, if a player made 28 out of 46 field goal attempts, their FG% would be 60.9% or 0.609.

Characteristics Values
Definition Field goal percentage (FG%) is the percentage of successful shots (2 or 3 points) to attempted shots (2 or 3 points).
Formula The FG% is calculated by dividing the number of baskets made by the total number of baskets attempted.
Example When Kobe Bryant scored 81 points on 22 January 2006, he made 28 out of 46 field goal attempts. That's an FG% of 0.609 (60.9%).
Interpretation FG% measures the accuracy of field goals made. A higher FG% denotes higher efficiency. In basketball, an FG% of 0.500 (50%) or above is considered good.
Variants Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) takes into account the additional difficulty of three-point shots and the extra points awarded. True Shooting Percentage (TS%) includes free throws.
Record Holders The NBA career record for FG% is held by DeAndre Jordan at 0.673. The highest FG% record for a single season is 0.742 by Mitchell Robinson.

shunwild

Calculating field goal percentage (FG%)

Field goal percentage (FG%) is a performance statistic in basketball that measures the percentage of successful shots (including 2 and 3-pointers) to attempted shots (again, including 2 and 3-pointers). It does not include free throw attempts or baskets.

To calculate FG%, you need two numbers: the number of baskets made and the total number of baskets attempted. The FG% is the number of baskets made divided by the total number of attempts:

$$ \text{FG%} = \frac{\text{Baskets Made}}{\text{Baskets Attempted}} $$

For example, if a player made 28 out of 46 field goal attempts, their FG% would be:

$$ \text{FG%} = \frac{28}{46} = 0.609 = 60.9\% $$

While FG% is a useful metric, it does not distinguish between 2 and 3-point shots. To address this, an alternative metric, Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%), has been developed. This accounts for the fact that a 3-point field goal is worth one more point than a 2-point field goal. eFG% can be calculated using the following formula:

$$ \text{eFG%} = \frac{\text{FG} + (0.5 * \text{3P})}{\text{FGA}} $$

Where:

  • FG = field goals made
  • 3P = 3-point field goals made
  • FGA = field goal attempts

shunwild

FG% formula: made baskets divided by total attempts

To calculate the field goal percentage (FG%) in basketball, you need to know two numbers: the number of baskets made and the total number of baskets attempted. FG% is then calculated by dividing the number of baskets made by the total number of baskets attempted.

$$ \text{FG%} = \frac{Baskets Made}{Baskets Attempted} $$

For example, if a player made 28 baskets out of 46 attempts, their FG% would be \(\frac{28}{46} = 0.609\), or 60.9%. This means they made 60.9% of their attempted baskets.

FG% is a simple performance statistic that can help indicate a player's ability and efficiency, independent of their pure scoring. It is a useful metric for comparing the shooting abilities of players or teams, with a higher FG% denoting higher efficiency. For example, in basketball, a FG% of 50% or above is generally considered good.

It is important to note that FG% does not distinguish between two and three-point shots. As a result, some analysts prefer to use the Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%), which takes into account the additional difficulty and higher value of three-point shots. The eFG% can be calculated using the formula:

$$ \text{eFG%} = \frac{FG + (0.5 * 3P)}{FGA} $$

Where:

  • FG = field goals made
  • 3P = 3-point field goals made
  • FGA = field goal attempts
Foul Shots: Worth in Basketball Points

You may want to see also

shunwild

Effective field goal percentage (eFG%)

EFG% = (2-point FGM + 1.5 x 3-point FGM) / FGA

Where:

2-point FGM = 2-point Field Goals Made

3-point FGM = 3-point Field Goals Made

FGA = Field Goal Attempts

This formula assigns a higher value to three-point field goals, reflecting the fact that they are worth three points, while two-point field goals are worth two points. By using this formula, we can compare the effectiveness of players or teams who take a higher proportion of three-point shots to those who primarily take two-point shots.

For example, consider two players with the same standard field goal percentage (FG%) of 40%. If the first player's shots are all two-point attempts, their eFG% will also be 40%. However, if the second player's makes are all three-pointers, their eFG% increases to 60%higher value of three-point shots.

EFG% is considered a valuable metric in basketball because it provides a more comprehensive view of shooting performance than the standard FG%"high-level key indicator" of a team's success, as it directly relates to points scored per possession. By comparing a team's eFG% to their opponents', coaches can make informed strategic decisions and adjustments to their offensive and defensive tactics.

Net Kill: A Powerful Badminton Shot

You may want to see also

shunwild

eFG% formula: (FGM + 0.5 * 3PM) / FGA

The Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) is a statistic used in basketball to account for the higher difficulty and reward of three-point shots compared to regular two-point field goals. The formula for eFG% is:

> eFG% = (FGM + 0.5 * 3PM) / FGA

In this formula:

  • FGM stands for "Field Goals Made" and refers to the number of successful field goals, which can be either two-point or three-point shots.
  • 3PM stands for "Three-Point Field Goals Made" and represents the number of successful three-point shots made. This is multiplied by 0.5 to give additional weight to the three-point shots, reflecting their higher degree of difficulty and reward.
  • FGA stands for "Field Goal Attempts" and denotes the total number of field goal attempts, including both two-point and three-point attempts.

By using this formula, the eFG% statistic adjusts for the fact that a three-point field goal is worth one more point than a regular two-point field goal. This provides a more nuanced evaluation of a player's performance and shooting ability, particularly for players who take a significant number of three-point shots.

shunwild

True Shooting Percentage (TS%)

> TS% = 0.5 * (Total Points) / [(Total Field Goal Attempts) + 0.44 * (Total Free Throw Attempts)]

The "0.44" multiplier in the formula accounts for all free throws that take up possessions. A higher TS% generally indicates a more efficient scorer, while a lower TS% suggests the opposite. However, it is important to consider other factors such as shot selection and offensive role when evaluating a player's overall performance.

For example, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, known for his three-point shooting and ability to draw fouls, had a TS% of 65.3% in the 2020-2021 season. This demonstrates his scoring efficiency when considering all field goals, three-pointers, and free throws. On the other hand, Alperen Sengun of the Rockets, who primarily scores on close-range jumpers and dunks, has a high TS% due to his strong field goal percentage and above-average free-throw attempts. In the 2024-2025 season, he posted a TS% of 54%.

Frequently asked questions

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment