Basketball Stats Glossary

The number of two-point and three-point shots successfully made during the game.

Total number of two-point and three-point shots taken. Includes makes and misses but not free throws.

Shooting accuracy calculated as FG divided by FGA. A percentage above 50% is generally considered efficient.

e.g., 8 FG on 15 FGA = 53.3% FG%

Shots made from beyond the three-point arc. The three-point line was introduced to college basketball in the 1986-87 season.

Total three-point shots taken, including makes and misses.

Three-point shooting accuracy calculated as 3P divided by 3PA. League average typically hovers around 33-35%.

Successful free throw attempts, each worth one point. Awarded after certain fouls.

Total free throws taken from the foul line.

Free throw accuracy calculated as FT divided by FTA. Elite shooters convert above 80%.

Rebounds grabbed on the offensive end after a missed shot by the player's own team, creating second-chance opportunities.

Rebounds secured on the defensive end after an opponent's missed shot, ending the other team's possession.

Combined offensive and defensive rebounds. Older box scores may only show total rebounds without the split.

A pass that directly leads to a made basket by a teammate. The passer receives an assist credit.

Taking the ball from an opponent through a legal defensive play such as intercepting a pass or stripping the ball handler.

Deflecting an opponent's shot attempt after it leaves the shooter's hand. Also called a blocked shot.

Losing possession of the ball to the opposing team through errors like bad passes, travels, or offensive fouls.

Fouls committed by a player. In college basketball, a player fouls out after 5 personal fouls.

Total points scored. Calculated as (FG - 3P) x 2 + 3P x 3 + FT.

Time on the court. A regulation college game has two 20-minute halves (40 total) with 5-minute overtime periods if needed.

Average points scored per game across a season or career. The primary measure of a player's scoring output.

e.g., 500 total points in 30 games = 16.7 PPG

Average rebounds per game. Double-digit RPG in college indicates a dominant rebounder.

Average assists per game. Elite college point guards typically average 5+ APG.

Average minutes played per game. Starters in college typically play 28-35 minutes per game.

Average steals per game. A player averaging 2+ SPG is considered an elite ball-hawk.

Average blocks per game. Shot-blocking bigs in college often average 2-3 BPG.

The average difference between points scored and points allowed per game. A positive margin means the team outscores opponents on average.

e.g., scoring 78 PPG and allowing 65 PPG = +13.0 margin

Wins and losses in SEC (Southeastern Conference) play only. Kentucky has been an SEC member since the conference's founding in 1932.

A rating that measures how difficult a team's schedule is based on the quality of opponents faced. Important for NCAA Tournament selection.

The Associated Press Top 25 poll, voted on weekly by sports journalists. Preseason rankings are released before the season; the final poll comes after the NCAA Tournament.

The 68-team national championship tournament held each March. Rounds: First Four, First Round, Second Round, Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final Four, Championship.

A secondary postseason tournament for teams not selected for the NCAA Tournament. Kentucky won the NIT in 1946 and 1976.

The annual Southeastern Conference postseason tournament. The winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Kentucky holds the most SEC Tournament titles.

A team's ranking (1-16) within their NCAA Tournament region, assigned by the selection committee. A 1 seed faces a 16 seed in the first round.

Recruiting services rate prospects on a 5-star scale. 5-star recruits are considered future NBA players; 4-star are high-major starters; 3-star are solid contributors.

An aggregate ranking that combines evaluations from major recruiting services (247Sports, Rivals, ESPN, On3) into a single consensus ranking.

A verbal or signed pledge by a recruit to attend a university. A verbal commitment is non-binding; a National Letter of Intent (NLI) is binding.

An NCAA database where student-athletes enter their name to explore transferring to another school. Players in the portal can be recruited by other programs.

Rules allowing college athletes to earn money from endorsements, appearances, and personal branding. NIL went into effect on July 1, 2021.