Stats·11 min read
How to Read Basketball Stats: PPG, RPG, APG, PER & Every Stat Explained
A complete guide to reading and understanding basketball statistics. From basic per-game averages (PPG, RPG, APG) to advanced metrics (PER, TS%, VORP, BPM) — everything explained in simple language.
Published: Updated: By StatBallers Editorial
Modern basketball generates more data than any previous generation of fans could have imagined. Box scores, per-game averages, shooting splits, advanced metrics, on/off ratings — the numbers can feel overwhelming if you don't have a guide. This article explains every major basketball statistic in plain English, from the basics on the back of a trading card to the advanced analytics used by NBA front offices.
Basic Per-Game Averages
Per-game averages are the most common way to evaluate a player's output and are always calculated per game played. They are the starting point for any player comparison.
- PPG — Points Per Game
- Total points scored divided by games played. The most recognisable stat in basketball. A starter averaging 20+ PPG is an elite scorer.
- RPG — Rebounds Per Game
- Total rebounds (offensive + defensive) divided by games played. Divided into ORPG (offensive) and DRPG (defensive).
- APG — Assists Per Game
- Total assists divided by games played. An assist is credited when a pass directly leads to a basket.
- SPG — Steals Per Game
- Total steals divided by games played. Indicates defensive activity and quickness.
- BPG — Blocks Per Game
- Total blocks divided by games played. Indicates rim-protection ability.
- TPG — Turnovers Per Game
- Total turnovers divided by games played. Lower is better. Elite ball-handlers keep this under 2.5.
- MPG — Minutes Per Game
- Indicates a player's role. Starters typically average 28–36 minutes; key bench players 18–24.
Shooting Statistics
- FG% — Field Goal Percentage
- Field goals made divided by field goals attempted. The basic shooting efficiency metric. 45%+ is solid; 50%+ is excellent.
- 3P% — Three-Point Percentage
- Three-pointers made divided by three-pointers attempted. 35%+ is acceptable; 40%+ is elite.
- FT% — Free Throw Percentage
- Free throws made divided by attempted. 80%+ is excellent. Important in late-game fouling situations ('Hack-a-Shaq').
- eFG% — Effective Field Goal %
- Adjusts FG% to account for the extra value of three-pointers. Formula: (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM) / FGA. A better measure of shooting efficiency than raw FG%.
- TS% — True Shooting %
- The most complete shooting efficiency metric. Accounts for field goals, three-pointers, AND free throws. Formula: PTS / (2 × (FGA + 0.44 × FTA)). League average is typically around 57%.
Box Score Plus/Minus Stats
- +/− (Plus/Minus)
- The point differential when a player is on the court. If your team outscores the opponent by 8 points during your 30 minutes, your +/- is +8. Noisy in small samples but meaningful over a season.
- Net Rating
- Points scored per 100 possessions minus points allowed per 100 possessions. Team-level version of plus/minus.
Advanced Metrics
Advanced metrics attempt to quantify overall player value beyond the box score. They are used by front offices, analysts, and sophisticated fans to identify undervalued players and evaluate true impact.
- PER — Player Efficiency Rating
- John Hollinger's all-in-one per-minute rating of a player's performance. League average is normalised to 15.0. 20+ is All-Star level; 25+ is MVP level. Limitation: it rewards stats but doesn't penalise missing shots or bad defense.
- WS — Win Shares
- Estimates the number of wins a player contributed. Divided into OWS (offensive) and DWS (defensive). Useful for career value comparisons.
- VORP — Value Over Replacement Player
- Measures how much more valuable a player is than a 'replacement level' player (a freely available backup). Useful for understanding a player's true impact above the baseline.
- BPM — Box Plus/Minus
- A box score-based estimate of a player's points contributed per 100 possessions above average, adjusted for strength of teammates and opponents. Comes in OBPM (offensive) and DBPM (defensive).
- RAPTOR / EPM / LEBRON
- Proprietary advanced metrics developed by outlets like FiveThirtyEight and BBall-Index. They incorporate on/off data and play-by-play information for a more complete picture than box-score-only metrics.
Pace and Possession-Based Stats
Because teams play at different speeds (pace), raw stats can be misleading. Possession-based stats normalise performance to a standard number of possessions.
- Pace
- Estimated number of possessions per 48 minutes. High-pace teams (100+) play fast and have more possessions — inflating per-game totals.
- Per-36 / Per-100 Possessions
- Stats scaled to 36 minutes or 100 possessions to compare players with different playing time.
- USG% — Usage Rate
- The percentage of team possessions a player uses while on the court. Star players typically have 25–35% usage.
- AST% — Assist Percentage
- The percentage of teammates' field goals a player assisted while on the court.
- REB% — Rebound Percentage
- The percentage of available rebounds a player grabs while on the court. Broken into OREB% and DREB%.
How to Evaluate a Player Using Stats
When assessing a player, use a layered approach rather than relying on a single number:
- Start with the basics: PPG, RPG, APG in context of role (starter vs. bench).
- Check shooting efficiency: TS% tells you how efficient the scoring really is.
- Add context with usage rate: a 20 PPG on 35% USG is very different from 20 PPG on 25% USG.
- Evaluate defense separately: advanced stats rarely capture defense perfectly — watch the tape.
- Use BPM or VORP for overall impact: these are most useful for comparing players across roles.
- Consider team context: great players on poor teams may have inflated individual stats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good PPG average in the NBA?
For a starter, 15–19 PPG is solid, 20–24 PPG is All-Star level, and 25+ PPG is superstar territory. The league-wide average is approximately 11–12 PPG across all players.
What is a triple-double in basketball?
A triple-double occurs when a player reaches double digits (10+) in three statistical categories in a single game. Most commonly: points, rebounds, and assists. A quadruple-double (four categories) is extremely rare.
What does PER mean in basketball?
PER stands for Player Efficiency Rating, developed by analyst John Hollinger. It's a per-minute efficiency metric normalised so the league average is 15. An MVP-caliber season is typically around 27–30 PER.
Is TS% better than FG% for evaluating shooters?
Yes. True Shooting % (TS%) is superior because it accounts for the extra value of three-pointers and the efficiency of free throws, giving a complete picture of a player's scoring efficiency rather than just field goal attempts.