True Shooting Percentage: The Complete Guide
True Shooting Percentage (TS%) is the gold standard for measuring scoring efficiency in basketball. Unlike field goal percentage, TS% accounts for the additional value of three-point shots and free throws, giving a single number that captures how efficiently a player converts scoring opportunities into actual points.
The formula is TS% = Points / (2 x (FGA + 0.44 x FTA)). The 0.44 multiplier for free throw attempts accounts for and-ones, technical free throws, and three-shot fouls. This elegant formula was developed by statistician Dean Oliver and has become a cornerstone of modern basketball analytics.
Why Tiers Matter
Grouping players into efficiency tiers reveals patterns that raw numbers miss. Elite tier (62%+) players typically combine high free throw rates with strong finishing or three-point shooting. The Good tier (57-62%) represents most All-Stars. Average tier (52-57%) includes many volume scorers who sacrifice efficiency for volume. The Poor tier (<52%) often signals a player whose shot selection or shooting mechanics need improvement.
Volume vs. Efficiency Tradeoff
The most valuable scorers in the NBA maintain elite TS% while also carrying a heavy scoring load. Players who score 25+ PPG on 62%+ TS% represent the rarest combination in basketball. Historically, only a handful of players have sustained this level of production over a full season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is True Shooting Percentage?
TS% measures scoring efficiency by accounting for field goals, three-pointers, and free throws in one metric. The formula is Points / (2 x (FGA + 0.44 x FTA)). League average TS% is typically around 56-57%.
Why is TS% better than FG%?
FG% treats all made shots equally, but a three-pointer is worth 50% more than a two-pointer. TS% also includes free throw efficiency. A player shooting 35% from three may actually be more efficient than one shooting 48% from two, and TS% captures this difference.
What is considered elite TS%?
In the modern NBA, a TS% above 62% is considered elite. Above 65% is historically exceptional. Players like Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant have sustained elite TS% while carrying heavy scoring loads.
Does TS% penalize players who don't shoot threes?
Not directly. A player who scores exclusively from two-point range and the free throw line can still have elite TS% if they shoot a high percentage. However, three-point shooting does provide an efficiency boost that makes it easier to achieve high TS%.
How does free throw rate affect TS%?
Players who get to the free throw line frequently can boost their TS% significantly, especially if they're good free throw shooters. This is why players like James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who draw many fouls, often have higher TS% than their FG% alone would suggest.