Tip Off
Stats
Did you know?
Did you know that the NBA and the WNBA collect numbers or stats about each player in the leagues?
The addition of a special camera called the SportVU camera in NBA arenas helps to analyze the game in all kinds of new ways.
For example, the cameras can record:
- number of points scored
- number of rebounds
- number of assists
- number of blocks
- number of free throws and three pointers
Explore the following stats that we can analyze.
Source:
Bailey, A. (2016, May 2). 5 technological advances that are changing the NBA. Bleacher Report. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2627381-5-technological-advances-that-are-changing-the-nba
Masterclass. (2021, September 15). Free Throw Shots: How Free Throws Work in Basketball. MasterClass. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/free-throw-basketball-shots-explained
NBA Media Ventures. (n.d.). Players. Official NBA Stats | Stats | NBA.com. https://www.nba.com/stats
NBA Media Ventures. (n.d.). WNBA. WNBA Stats. https://stats.wnba.com/
Are you ready to learn about how we can collect and use data? Let’s begin!
Brainstorm
What could players and their teams do with the stats or numbers that are collected throughout a basketball season?
Record your ideas in a method of your choice. Then, share your thoughts with a partner, if possible.
Press Possible Answer to access how specific stats could be used by teams.
Stats can be used by teams to develop new game strategies, work together as a team, and help players work on different skills.
Gametime
All kinds of data
Player stats are a type of information or data.
Data can be recorded and organized in different ways.
For example, we can record data in a tally chart.
Tally chart
A tally chart includes:
- a title which tells us what the data is about
- tallies to record total amounts
We draw every fifth tally across the previous four marks to create a group of five.
The following is an example of a tally chart sharing information about the favourite sports of a group of people. These people were surveyed, and each gave their answer.
| Favourite Sports | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sport | Tally | Tally total |
| Hockey | 15 | |
| Soccer | 10 | |
| Swimming | 20 | |
| Basketball | 25 | |
| Baseball | 13 | |
| Cricket | 16 | |
Bar graph
We can also share information or data using a bar graph.
Bar graphs include:
- a title
- a label for the x-axis (horizontal axis)
- a label for the y-axis (vertical axis)
- a scale
For example, we can use the information gathered in the Favourite Sports tally table to create a bar graph.
Bar graph titled, Favourite Sports. The x-axis is labelled, Sports, and the y-axis is labelled, Number of People. The graph’s scale is: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30. The sport categories and the data for each is: hockey – 15, soccer – 10, swimming – 20, basketball – 25, baseball – 13, and cricket – 16.
Each part of the graph is described. The title records who and what the graph is about. For each category, the bar represents how much has been collected. The y-axis title records what is being counted. The scale records amount of data, and must start at 0. The x-axis title records what we are collecting data about. Each category is a specific type of data.
Take a moment and think about what you’ve learned so far!
Player positions
Basketball positions on an overview of the basketball court. The power forward and centre player are on opposite ends of the key, and they're the closest to the net. The shooting guard and the small forward player are on opposite ends of the third point line. The shooting guard is close to the power forward, and the small forward is close to the centre player. The point guard is the furthest from the net.
In a basketball game, we keep track of the score, number of points scored by each player, and the time in each quarter of the game.
Each player has their own responsibilities during the game. Some play offense and some play defense.
Press Let’s Check! to access a description of offense and defense.
Basketball players play both offense and defense.
When a team has the ball, they are playing offense and try to score points. The other team plays defense, and they try to protect their basket and keep the other team from scoring.
Source:
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. (n.d.). Basketball. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/basketball/352831#:~:text=Basketball%20players%20play%20both%20offense,gain%20control%20of%20the%20ball
Explore the following images and descriptions to learn more about player positions!
Fun fact
Technology can be used to track many types of data on and off the court. NBA players across the league have started using monitors and other wearable devices that can help collect data on their overall health and performance. This data helps to support players learn what is working and where they may need support.
Source:
Bailey, A. (2016, May 2). 5 technological advances that are changing the NBA. Bleacher Report. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2627381-5-technological-advances-that-are-changing-the-nba
How many points?
Our mascot cheers as their team finishes a game! Each player’s total points scored has been recorded.
Let’s explore the following tally chart or bar graph of total points by position.
Bar graph titled, Points Scored by Each Player. The x-axis is player position, and the y-axis is points scored. The positions and points are: point guard with ten, shooting guard with 15, power forward with 20, centre with nine, and small forward with 18.
| Points Scored by Each Player | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player position | Tally | Total points |
| Point guard | 10 | |
| Shooting guard | 15 | |
| Power forward | 20 | |
| Centre | 9 | |
| Small forward | 18 | |
Your turn!
After exploring the previous tally chart and/or the bar graph, let’s answer the following questions:
- Which player scored the most points?
- Which player scored the least points?
- How many more points did the power forward score compared to the small forward? Explain your thinking.
Record your answers in a method of your choice. Then, share your thoughts with a partner, if possible.
When you’re ready, press Let’s Check! To access the correct answers.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Which player scored the most points? | The power forward scored the most points. |
| Which player scored the least points? | The centre scored the least points. |
| How many more points did the power forward score compared to the small forward? Explain your thinking. |
I counted all of the tallies for each player using the tally chart and compared the numbers. I also noticed that the bar graph showed the smallest bar for the centre player and the largest bar for the power forward. The power forward scored two more points than the small forward. I could tell by comparing their total tallies. The difference between the numbers was two points. |
The goal
Let’s come back to player position. What is the goal of each player on a team?
We can use the data we collect on each player’s performance and total points scored, to better understand each player’s role and responsibilities on the court.
While all players are allowed to score points in a game, some are more focused on assisting or defending. Each player in a game contributes to the final score, and it is the way that individuals work together on a team that is most important.
When we are exploring and analyzing data, we always need to think about why the data is being collected and all the ways it can help us.
Profile
Nneka Ogwumike
Nneka Ogwumike, #30 of the Los Angeles Sparks (2023) jumps to shoot the basketball against the Seattle Storm on June 6, 2023. Jordan Horston, #23 of the Seattle Storm (2023) jumps and reaches arms up to defend, while Sami Whitcomb, #32 of the Seattle Storm (2023) jumps to defend as well.
Nneka Ogwumike is an American basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2023 season. She has been playing for the WNBA for 12 years!
During the course of her career at the WNBA she has been named WNBA MVP in 2016, WNBA Champion in 2016, and WNBA All-Star in the following years: 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
“I always enjoy coming to All-Star games and seeing first-time All Stars, because it’s amazing to
watch people’s dreams come true.”
– Nneka Ogwumike
Sources:
NBA Media Ventures. (n.d.). Nneka Ogwumike. WNBA. https://www.wnba.com/player/203014/nneka-ogwumike
NBA.com Staff. (2022, February 11). 2022 NBA All-Star Draft: How It Works. NBA.com. https://www.nba.com/news/all-star-draft-explainer
Nguyen, T. N. (2023, June 25). Sparks’ Nneka Ogwumike selected WNBA All-Star Starter for second consecutive season. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/sports/sparks/story/2023-06-25/sparks-nneka-ogwumike-named-wnba-all-star-starter-for-second-consecutive-season
Fourth Quarter
Team effort
Time to explore some more data sets!
Two teams just finished playing a game of basketball. Each player worked hard to score points, support their teammates, and encourage each other throughout the game.
Which team won the game?
You may examine the tally charts or bar graphs, or you can check out both for each team’s score.
Tally charts
Explore the following tally charts for Team A and Team B’s score.
Bar graphs
Explore the following bar graphs for Team A and Team B’s score for the game.
Pause and reflect
Did you prefer to use the tally chart or the bar graph?
You may record your thoughts in the following template or in another method of your choice.
Great job! Think about how you might use the data analysis skills you’ve learned. Catch you next time!
