
Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) is a statistic used in basketball to evaluate the performance of players or teams. It measures the effectiveness of both two-point and three-point shots, with three-point field goals given extra weight as they count for three points while all other field goals count for two. This metric provides a more comprehensive view of the game situation than standard field goal percentages and can indicate which team is having more success from the field. eFG% is considered a key indicator of performance, with some arguing it is the most important statistic as the majority of points in a typical game are scored from the field. By comparing eFG% differentials, coaches can make strategic decisions and gain an objective understanding of their team's performance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Effective Field Goal Percentage |
| Abbreviation | eFG% |
| Use | Player or team evaluation metric |
| Purpose | To account for the fact that three-point field goals count for three points, while all other field goals count for two points |
| Formula | eFG%={(All Field Goals Made) + 0.5*(3P Field Goals Made)}/(All Field Goal Attempts) |
| Interpretation | A player whose eFG% is 60% is scoring at a rate equal to shooting 60% on two-point field goal attempts |
| Importance | It is one of the most important new statistics and can be considered the most important stat because in a typical game, the majority of points are scored from the field |
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What You'll Learn
- Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) is a metric that evaluates a player or team's performance
- eFG% adjusts field goal percentage to account for three-pointers counting for three points
- The formula for eFG% is: eFG%={(All Field Goals Made) + 0.5*(3P Field Goals Made)}/(All Field Goal Attempts)
- eFG% is one of the Four Factors of Basketball Success identified by Dean Oliver
- eFG% can be used to compare players and determine which team is having more success from the field

Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) is a metric that evaluates a player or team's performance
Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) is a metric used to evaluate the performance of a basketball player or team. It was first introduced by Dean Oliver in his book, "Basketball on Paper", and is considered one of the most important new statistics in basketball.
EFG% adjusts the standard field goal percentage to account for the fact that three-point field goals are worth three points, while all other field goals are worth two points. This provides a more complete picture of the game situation and the effectiveness of a player or team's shooting. It is calculated using the following formula: eFG%={(All Field Goals Made) + 0.5*(3P Field Goals Made)}/(All Field Goal Attempts).
For example, a player who shoots 4 for 10 on all two-point baskets has a standard FG% of 40%. However, if all those makes were three-pointers, their eFG% would be 60%, reflecting the higher value of a made three-pointer. eFG% can be a useful indicator of a team's success, as it can show which team is scoring more effectively from the field. A team with a high eFG% is likely to have a strong offensive performance, while a low eFG% may indicate defensive struggles.
While eFG% is a valuable tool, it should be considered alongside other statistics to fully evaluate players and teams. For instance, rebounds, free throw attempts, and field goal attempts also impact the outcome of a game. Additionally, some players may have a high eFG% due to a high number of three-point attempts, even if their overall shooting percentage is relatively low. As such, it is important to understand the context of eFG% and utilize it alongside other metrics for a comprehensive understanding of basketball performance.
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eFG% adjusts field goal percentage to account for three-pointers counting for three points
Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) is a statistic that adjusts the field goal percentage to account for three-pointers counting for three points. It provides a more complete picture of the game situation than standard field goal percentages because three-point shots are given extra weight. This statistic was first introduced by Dean Oliver in his book, "Basketball on Paper".
The formula for eFG% is:
> eFG%={(All Field Goals Made) + 0.5*(3P Field Goals Made)}/(All Field Goal Attempts)
In simpler terms, a made three-pointer is worth one and a half times as much as a made two-pointer. For example, a player who shoots 4 for 10 on all two-point baskets has a standard FG% of 40%. However, if all those makes were three-pointers, the player’s eFG% is 60%, reflecting the extra value of a made three.
EFG% is a valuable metric because it can quickly show which team is having more success from the field. The team with the higher eFG% is scoring more effectively from the field. It is also useful for comparing players. Two players with the same FG% can be re-evaluated using eFG%, which accounts for the number of three-point shots taken by each player.
One criticism of eFG% is that players with very high three-point shooting percentages can achieve an eFG% above 100%. This is because the formula assumes that a player only took two-point shots (hence the division of non-free-throw points by 2). Despite this, eFG% is still considered a valuable indicator of a team's success and a player's performance.
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The formula for eFG% is: eFG%={(All Field Goals Made) + 0.5*(3P Field Goals Made)}/(All Field Goal Attempts)
Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) is a metric used in basketball to determine the percentage of field goals scored while considering the difficulty of scoring 3-point field goals. It provides a more complete picture of the game situation than standard field goal percentages because three-point shots are given extra weight. This is because three-point field goals count for three points, while all other field goals only count for two points.
The formula for eFG% is:
> eFG%={(All Field Goals Made) + 0.5*(3P Field Goals Made)}/(All Field Goal Attempts)
In this formula, 'All Field Goals Made' refers to the total number of field goals scored by the player, including both two-point and three-point field goals. '3P Field Goals Made' refers specifically to the number of three-point field goals made by the player. 'All Field Goal Attempts' represents the total number of field goal attempts made by the player, encompassing both two-point and three-point attempts.
By including the additional weight of 0.5 for three-point field goals, the formula recognises that three-point shots are generally more challenging to make. This adjustment highlights the value of a player who can successfully make three-pointers. For example, a player who shoots 4 for 10 on all two-point baskets has a standard FG% of 40% and an eFG% of 40%. However, if all those makes were three-pointers, the player's eFG% increases to 60%, reflecting the extra value of those shots.
Analysing eFG% is a valuable tool for coaches and analysts to evaluate player and team performance. It can provide insights into the effectiveness of shooting strategies and help identify areas for improvement. eFG% is often considered a critical indicator of success in basketball, as it directly impacts the points scored per possession, which is crucial for winning games.
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eFG% is one of the Four Factors of Basketball Success identified by Dean Oliver
Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) is a statistic in basketball that adjusts field goal percentage to account for the fact that three-point field goals count for three points, while all other field goals only count for two points. Its goal is to show what field goal percentage a two-point shooter would need to equal the output of a player who also shoots three-pointers. eFG% is a more complete picture of the game situation than standard field goal percentages because three-point shots are given extra weight.
The Four Factors can be used to pick a winning NCAA Tournament bracket. For example, Wichita State had a Four Factors Score of 621, which was over 35 points higher than any other team in the country. This model predicted that only three teams in the field would knock them off, and one of them was their second-round opponent.
EFG% is a high-level indicator that can tell you which team is having more success from the field. It is one of the most important stats because the majority of points in a typical game are scored from the field. If a team has a high eFG%, it indicates that their offense is performing well.
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eFG% can be used to compare players and determine which team is having more success from the field
Effective field goal percentage, or eFG%, is a statistic in basketball that measures the effectiveness of both 2-point and 3-point shots. It provides a more complete picture of the game situation than standard field goal percentages because three-point shots are given extra weight. This statistic can be used to compare players and determine which team is having more success from the field.
The formula for eFG% is: eFG% = {(All Field Goals Made) + 0.5*(3P Field Goals Made)}/(All Field Goal Attempts). This formula accounts for the fact that three-point field goals count for three points, while all other field goals only count for two points. By using this formula, we can determine which player or team is more successful in terms of field goals.
For example, let's compare two players: Player A and Player B. Player A has a standard field goal percentage of 40% because they shoot 4 out of 10 two-point baskets. On the other hand, Player B also has a standard field goal percentage of 40% but shoots only three-pointers. Using the eFG% formula, we can see that Player A's eFG% remains at 40%, while Player B's eFG% increases to 60%. This is because three-pointers are given more weight in the eFG% calculation, and Player B's three-pointers contribute more to their overall scoring.
EFG% can also be used to compare the performance of teams. By looking at the eFG% differential between two teams, coaches and analysts can quickly determine which team is having more success from the field. A positive eFG% differential indicates that a team is outperforming its opponents in terms of field goal percentage. This information can be used to make strategic decisions and adjustments to improve the team's performance.
In conclusion, eFG% is a valuable statistic in basketball that provides a more comprehensive understanding of a player's or team's shooting performance. By accounting for the additional value of three-point shots, eFG% allows for more accurate comparisons between players and teams, ultimately helping to determine which team is having more success from the field.
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Frequently asked questions
EFG, or Effective Field Goal Percentage, is a metric used to evaluate the performance of a player or a team in basketball. It measures the effectiveness of both 2-point and 3-point shots, taking into account that 3-pointers are worth more than 2-pointers.
The EFG formula is: EFG% ={(All Field Goals Made) + 0.5*(3-Point Field Goals Made)}/(All Field Goal Attempts). This formula gives more weight to 3-point shots, reflecting their higher value in the game.
EFG is a critical statistic in basketball because it provides a more comprehensive view of a team's or player's performance than standard field goal percentages. It was first introduced by Dean Oliver in his book, "Basketball on Paper," as one of the Four Factors to predict a team's success.
EFG can be used to compare players or teams and assess their shooting abilities. A higher EFG% indicates more effective scoring from the field. Coaches can use EFG differentials to make strategic decisions and adjust their offensive and defensive tactics accordingly.







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