Enter the total number of points, the number of field goal attempts, and the number of free throws attempted into the calculator below to determine the actual shooting percentage of a basketball player.

True Shooting Percentage measures the rate at which a basketball player scores points per attempt. In contrast to the average shooting percentage, it considers free throw attempts.

True Shooting Percentage Formula

The following formula is used to calculate a basketball player’s true shooting percentage.

TSP = Points / (2 * (FGA+(.044*FTA))
  • Where TSP is the true shooting percentage (%)
  • points is total points scored
  • FGA is field goal attempts
  • FTA is free to throw attempts.

In many cases, an actual shooting percentage is a better representation of the so-called efficiency of a basketball player. That efficiency is really another word for how often a player scores compared with how many attempts they make. The higher the TS, the higher the efficiency.

This statistic, however, is not the end-all be-all for how good a player is. First and foremost, it doesn’t consider half of the game, which is defense. Secondly, a player that gets fouled often will have a higher actual shooting percentage if they make their free throws. This is good, but players that shoot many free throws tend to struggle in the playoffs due to refs allowing more physical play.

FAQ

What is the difference between True Shooting Percentage (TSP) and Effective Field Goal Percentage (EFG)?

True Shooting Percentage (TSP) takes into account the value of three-point field goals, two-point field goals, and free throws in a single measure of shooting efficiency, including the attempts. Effective Field Goal Percentage (EFG), on the other hand, considers three-point field goals by weighting them more heavily than two-point shots but does not include free throws. Both metrics aim to provide a more accurate representation of a player’s shooting efficiency than traditional field goal percentage.

How can True Shooting Percentage impact a player’s strategy on the court?

A player with a high True Shooting Percentage is often more efficient at scoring, which can influence their strategy and how they are utilized by their team. Such players might be encouraged to take more shots, including drawing fouls to get to the free-throw line, as their efficiency can lead to a higher point yield per possession. Conversely, players with a lower TSP might focus on improving shot selection or passing to more efficient teammates.

Why might a player with a high volume of free throws have a misleadingly high True Shooting Percentage?

A player who draws a lot of fouls and thus attempts many free throws can have a higher True Shooting Percentage if they make a significant portion of those free throws. This is because free throws are a highly efficient way to score points. However, this might be misleading in terms of overall play efficiency, especially if the player struggles with field goals. Additionally, reliance on free throws can be less effective in playoff games, where referees might allow more physical play and call fewer fouls.

True Shooting Calculator (TS Percentage)