
In ESPN Fantasy Basketball, players are ranked based on their total fantasy points, which is calculated by summing up all the categories, such as points, assists, and blocks. This total point score is then used to determine the player's rank by their primary position, which is always listed first, even if they have multiple positions. These rankings are subjective and can vary depending on team build and league settings. While the exact calculation method may not be clear, players with higher point totals are generally ranked higher within their primary position.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Basis | Total points, not average points |
| Calculation | Cumulative rank, not per game |
| Position | Sorted by primary position |
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What You'll Learn

How to determine a player's primary position
In ESPN Fantasy Basketball, the primary position of a player is always listed first. This is the first of potentially multiple positions that a player can be eligible for. Before each season begins, the system receives an updated report detailing every player's listed position for the new season. These listed primary positions are fixed and will not change for the duration of the season.
Each team in ESPN Fantasy Basketball has a default roster size of 13, with 10 active slots and 3 bench slots. The active roster can be changed at any time during the regular season, but slots lock at the first scheduled game of the day. The 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) filled by any position, and three bench spots (BE). The fun part of fantasy basketball is that these options can be adjusted however you see fit. Every league is a little different, and some league commissioners find certain roster settings more fun than others. For example, you can adjust to have multiple starters at each position, including center, and do away with the generic guard and forward positions. You can eliminate the utility spots or reduce the amount of them to one or two. Adding more bench spots is another option worth considering, but be aware that it changes the complexion of your league.
In most leagues, there are at least a few managers who enjoy the art of the deal. Trading is a great opportunity to improve your roster while unloading someone you perhaps no longer want or need. There are several important factors to keep in mind. You must look at the roster of the team you're trading with and understand which, if any players, that manager might be willing to part with. For example, it'd be unwise to make a trade offer for a point guard on a team that is battling injuries and down to one healthy point guard.
To prepare for your draft, it is important to read up on players and strategies, and by participating in several mock drafts. A good draft will put you in a position to have a successful season, and taking time to prepare beforehand is key. That includes formulating strategies and printing out rankings that reflect your league's scoring format. Don't worry, ESPN has you covered with customized expert rankings and draft strategies in the ESPN Fantasy Basketball draft kit.
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How position ranks are calculated
In ESPN Fantasy Basketball, position ranks are calculated based on the total fantasy points of players who share the same primary position. This means that the ranking is determined by the cumulative points of each player, rather than their average points per game. The primary position is always listed first, and it is the position used for ranking purposes.
For example, if you look at the player selection screen and change the filter to show all players, regardless of availability, then select a specific position and sort by total points scored, you will see the ranking of players within that position based on their total points. This method of ranking allows for a more accurate comparison of players within the same position, as it considers their overall performance rather than their average.
It is important to note that the ranking is not solely based on the number of points a player scores but also takes into account other factors such as assists, blocks, and specific scoring rules within a particular league. The player rater numbers within each category contribute to the final rating, which determines the rank by position. This means that a player with a high number of points but low ratings in other categories may still have a lower overall rank than a player with slightly fewer points but stronger ratings across the board.
Additionally, the rankings are subjective as they can vary depending on team build and category customization. For instance, in a points league, correct team composition may not be as crucial as in other league types. Overall, the position ranks in ESPN Fantasy Basketball are calculated using a combination of total points and player rater numbers across various categories, with the primary position being the basis for comparison.
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How to use player rankings to inform your draft strategy
Player rankings are an important tool to help you prepare for your fantasy basketball draft. Rankings are based on player performance and are used to determine a player's value. They can be based on a range of factors, including points, rebounds, steals, 3-pointers, blocks, turnovers, and free throws.
ESPN offers a range of resources to help you understand player rankings and how to use them to inform your draft strategy. The ESPN Fantasy Basketball draft guide provides rankings, profiles, sleepers, breakouts, and busts to help you make informed decisions. It also includes mock drafts, which can be a great way to practice and refine your strategy before your actual draft.
To get the most out of player rankings, consider writing down draft tiers for each of the five positions. This will help you to visualise the depth at each position and create your own draft board based on your individual thoughts and predictions. It is also important to understand the different scoring formats, such as points, roto, and category leagues, to make informed decisions during the draft.
Player rankings can also help you identify players who are being overvalued or undervalued. Keep an eye out for talented players who are falling past pick 50 in drafts, as they can be the difference between a good and a great team. Additionally, pay attention to the Average Draft Position (ADP) to know where players are being selected in ESPN drafts, so you can get the best value for your team.
Finally, don't forget that player rankings are just one tool to inform your draft strategy. They are subjective and may not always reflect the specific needs of your team. Use your own judgement and take into account other factors, such as team composition and your league's scoring rules, to make the best decisions for your fantasy basketball team.
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How to compare players across different positions
When comparing players across different positions in ESPN Fantasy Basketball, it's important to understand the position ranks and player ratings. Position ranks in ESPN Fantasy Basketball refer to the ranking of players within their primary or first-listed position. This ranking is based on cumulative performance and not per game.
To effectively compare players across different positions, consider the following steps and strategies:
- Understand Position Eligibility: In ESPN Fantasy Basketball, players can have multiple position eligibilities. When comparing players, ensure you are aware of their primary position and any secondary positions they can play. This information can be found on the player's profile or in the player rankings.
- Analyze Player Ratings: ESPN Fantasy Basketball uses a player rater system that assigns a number to each player based on their performance in various categories. These categories include points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and more. The player rater numbers help compare players across different positions by providing an overall performance rating. If a player has a rating above 0, they are above average, and if they have a rating below 0, they are below average.
- Consider League Settings: Different leagues within ESPN Fantasy Basketball can have varying settings and rules. Some leagues may prioritize certain player positions over others. Understand the specific requirements and strategies of your league to make more informed comparisons between players across different positions.
- Evaluate Player Performance: When comparing players, look beyond just their position rank and consider their actual performance on the court. Take into account their statistics, such as points scored, usage rating, assists, and any other relevant metrics. This will help you identify players who may have a lower position rank but are actually performing better than their higher-ranked counterparts.
- Utilize Tiers: ESPN often breaks down player rankings into tiers, grouping players by their talent and depth at each position. Refer to these tiers to identify the top-performing players at each position and make comparisons accordingly. This can help you identify players who may be underrated or have higher potential than their position rank suggests.
- Adjust Roster Settings: ESPN Fantasy Basketball allows you to adjust your roster settings to suit your preferences. Consider experimenting with different roster configurations to see how they impact player comparisons. For example, you can add multiple starters at each position or eliminate certain utility spots to create a more specialized team.
- Seek Feedback: ESPN Fantasy Basketball communities and forums are great resources for seeking feedback and advice about player comparisons. Don't hesitate to reach out, ask questions, and learn from other players' experiences and strategies.
By following these steps and staying engaged with your league and roster settings, you can effectively compare players across different positions in ESPN Fantasy Basketball and make more informed decisions for your team.
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How to customize player rankings for your league
To customize player rankings for your ESPN Fantasy Basketball league, there are several steps you can take. Firstly, it is important to understand the different positions and their tiers. ESPN categorizes players into five positions: Point Guard (PG), Shooting Guard (SG), Small Forward (SF), Power Forward (PF), and Center (C). Each position has its own set of talents and depth, which you should consider when ranking players.
Next, you can start ranking players by writing down draft tiers for each position. This helps to reveal the depth at each position and enables you to create a draft board based on your individual thoughts and predictions. Consider factors such as player usage rates, assist rates, and scoring abilities when ranking players within each position.
Additionally, you can customize your league settings to fit your preferences. Decide on the roster size, the number of players starting at each position, scoring rules, acquisition and trade limits, keeper rules, draft settings, and playoff schedules. You can also choose to observe ESPN's "undroppable" players list, which prevents managers from dropping star players who could significantly impact the league's outcome.
Another way to customize player rankings is by choosing the type of league you want. ESPN offers options such as the "Autopick" league, where the platform drafts teams for managers, or the "Salary-cap draft" league, where managers have a set budget and bid on players, testing their knowledge of player values and budget management.
Finally, keep an eye on player transactions and recent activity within your league. Use the Add Players feature to sort players by position, availability, and your Watch List. Stay informed about free agents, waivers, and player performance to make strategic decisions about adding or dropping players from your roster.
By following these steps and staying engaged with your league settings and player rankings, you can effectively customize player rankings for your ESPN Fantasy Basketball league.
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Frequently asked questions
The rank is referring to the player's primary position, which is always listed first.
Position ranks are calculated based on the total fantasy points of players that share that primary position. It is a cumulative rank, not per game.
Go to the player selection screen, change the filter to show all players, select the desired position, and then sort by total points scored.
The rankings estimate averages based on performance to date and shoot out a points-scored average. This is based on the scoring rules of your league.
Player rank is an overall ranking of a player across all positions, while position rank is the ranking of a player within their primary position.











































