Sports Performance Measurement and Analytics: The Science of Assessing Performance, Predicting Future Outcomes, Interpreting Statistical Models, and Evaluating the Market Value of Athletes

Basketball Glossary

air ball A very poor shot, one that does not hit the rim or come close to the rim.

alley-oop pass A pass thrown to another offensive player who is running toward the basket. That player leaps and catches the pass in midair, and then attempts to score a field goal on a layup or slam dunk.

assist A pass that leads directly to a field goal by another player. Along with scoring, assists are an important aspect of a player’s offensive performance. The count of assists in a game is often represented by the symbol AST.

assist percentage Proportion of teammate field goals on which a player has assisted. Represented as AST%.

backcourt Players, such as guards, who go back or remain back on defense (on the team’s defensive half of the ...