True Shooting Percentage (TS%) Calculator

Historical Background

True Shooting Percentage (TS%) was developed to provide a more accurate metric of a basketball player’s scoring efficiency by accounting for all three methods of scoring: field goals, three-pointers, and free throws. Traditional shooting percentage often ignores free throws, which can misrepresent the actual efficiency of a player, particularly those who draw fouls frequently.

Calculation Formula

The True Shooting Percentage is calculated using the following formula:

\[ TSP = \frac{\text{Points}}{2 \times (\text{FGA} + (0.044 \times \text{FTA}))} \]

Where:

• TSP = True Shooting Percentage
• Points = Total points scored
• FGA = Field goal attempts
• FTA = Free throw attempts

The factor 0.044 accounts for the marginal scoring contribution of free throws relative to field goals.

Example Calculation

If a player scores 28 points, with 15 field goal attempts (FGA) and 8 free throw attempts (FTA), the calculation would be:

\[ TSP = \frac{28}{2 \times (15 + (0.044 \times 8))} = \frac{28}{30.352} = 0.9227 \text{ or } 92.27\% \]

Importance and Usage Scenarios

True Shooting Percentage is critical for evaluating a player's overall scoring efficiency, particularly in advanced basketball metrics. By considering free throws, field goals, and three-pointers, it provides a more comprehensive view of a player's scoring ability, making it a favorite tool for analysts and coaches. It also accounts for how players perform under pressure, as frequent free-throw shooters are highlighted in this metric.

Common FAQs

1. Why is True Shooting Percentage important?
   True Shooting Percentage accounts for a player's overall scoring efficiency, incorporating free throws, which traditional field goal percentage does not.

2. How does True Shooting differ from Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%)?
   While both metrics adjust for the value of three-point shots, only True Shooting Percentage includes free throws. eFG% focuses solely on field goals.

3. Does a high True Shooting Percentage mean a player is always better?
   Not necessarily. While TS% is an excellent indicator of scoring efficiency, it doesn't consider defense, rebounding, or other areas of a player's game.

This calculator helps players, analysts, and coaches evaluate scoring efficiency more accurately, factoring in all aspects of scoring.