What is True Shooting Percentage (TS%)?
True Shooting Percentage (TS%) is a basketball statistic introduced by the Association for Professional Basketball Research Metrics. It measures a player's shooting efficiency by accounting for all three scoring methods — 2-point field goals, 3-point field goals, and free throws — in a single percentage. A higher TS% indicates a more efficient scorer.
How is True Shooting Percentage calculated?
TS% is calculated using the formula: TS% = Points / (2 × TSA), where TSA (True Shooting Attempts) = FGA + (0.44 × FTA). The 0.44 multiplier converts free throw attempts into an equivalent possession cost. The result is expressed as a percentage.
Why is the 0.44 multiplier used for free throw attempts?
The 0.44 factor approximates the proportion of possessions consumed by free throw situations. Not every free throw trip uses a full possession — some result from and-one situations or technical fouls — so the raw FTA count overstates the number of possessions used. Multiplying FTA by 0.44 provides a more accurate representation of shooting opportunities used.
What is a good True Shooting Percentage in the NBA?
In the NBA, a TS% of around 55–57% is considered average. A TS% above 60% is considered excellent and marks an elite shooter, while anything above 65% is exceptional. Values below 50% generally indicate below-average shooting efficiency for a regular rotation player.
How does TS% differ from Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%)?
Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) adjusts for the extra value of 3-point field goals compared to 2-pointers but does not account for free throws. True Shooting Percentage goes further by incorporating free throw attempts, making it a more complete measure of a player's overall scoring efficiency.
Why is True Shooting Percentage more useful than standard field goal percentage?
Standard field goal percentage treats all made shots equally and ignores free throws entirely. TS% corrects both of these shortcomings by weighting 3-pointers appropriately (through point value) and factoring in free throw efficiency. This makes it far better for comparing players who have different shot-selection tendencies.
Can TS% be used to compare players across different eras?
TS% is a useful cross-era comparison tool because it normalises for shooting style and free throw rate. However, rule changes, pace of play, and defensive schemes can influence scoring environments across decades, so TS% is best interpreted alongside era-adjusted or league-average benchmarks.
What are some of the highest TS% values recorded in NBA history?
Several elite NBA players have recorded career TS% values above 60%, including Rudy Gobert, DeAndre Jordan, and Stephen Curry. Single-season records have reached above 67–70% for players with high free throw rates or exceptional 3-point shooting efficiency. These figures represent the pinnacle of scoring efficiency at the professional level.