Search Results (14)

This study evaluates hierarchical clustering methodologies to identify patterns associated with timeout requests for EuroLeague basketball games. Using play-by-play data from 3743 games spanning the 2008–2023 seasons (over 1.9 million instances), we applied Principal Component Analysis to reduce dimensionality and tested multiple agglomerative and divisive clustering techniques (e.g., Ward and DIANA) with different distance metrics (Euclidean, Manhattan, and Minkowski). Clustering quality was assessed using internal validation indices such as Silhouette, Dunn, Calinski–Harabasz, Davies–Bouldin, and Gap statistics. The results show that Ward.D and Ward.D2 methods using Euclidean distance generate well-balanced and clearly defined clusters. Two clusters offer the best overall quality, while four clusters allow for meaningful segmentation of game situations. The analysis revealed that teams that did not request timeouts often exhibited better scoring efficiency, particularly in the advanced game phases. These findings offer data-driven insights into timeout dynamics and contribute to strategic decision-making in professional basketball. Full article

The aim of this study was to explore new dimensions in the classification of positions in women’s basketball through a comprehensive statistical approach. A total of 386 players from the last three seasons (2021–2024) of the Women’s Euroleague were analyzed based on official performance statistics. Inclusion criteria required players to have participated in all three seasons, with a minimum of 20 min per game across at least five games per season. Using data from the last three seasons of the Women’s Euroleague, analysis of variance, principal component analysis, and k-means clustering were performed to identify specific playing patterns and roles. All performance indicators were normalized per minute to ensure comparability. ANOVA tests revealed significant statistical differences between traditional positions (p < 0.05), validating the relevance of positional analysis. PCA was then used to reduce dimensionality and extract the key performance components, while k-means clustering grouped players according to similar in-game behaviors. The results revealed significant differences between traditional positions (with a significance criterion of p < 0.05) and suggested the need for an updated position classification to better reflect the current dynamics of modern gameplay. According to Euroleague players’ performance, the cluster analysis revealed that three main roles emerged: “perimeter specialists”, “defensive specialists”, and “primary scorers and rebounders”. This reclassification highlights the increasing tactical and statistical complexity of women’s basketball, moving beyond rigid position labels. This new framework can positively influence training and competition strategies. It also provides coaches, analysts, and talent developers with a data-driven tool for roster optimization, role assignment, and game planning in elite-level women’s basketball. Full article

Basketball games are characterized by the large number of lineups that can be used by the coach during a game, e.g., with 12 players there are 792 possible lineups. This has led to the development of several statistics for the combinations of players on the court since team performance depends on synergy among players. It is of primary importance for a basketball team to understand the team performance and aid the coaching staff in making the proper decisions. In this work, we apply data mining and knowledge extraction techniques to basketball analytics. In particular, we propose an algorithm for answering questions (including filtering and maximization) about the team performance when any K-Player lineup is on the court ($1\le K\le 5$). The algorithm uses a semilattice representation and a depth-first search traversal that incrementally computes the statistics by exploiting set theory properties. As a case study, we provide experiments by using lineups mainly from the EuroLeague Basketball but also from the National Basketball Association (NBA). Regarding the results, the proposed method is more than 30× faster than the baseline for the EuroLeague and 200× faster for the NBA. Indicatively, we can compute the key traditional cumulative and average statistics for all K-Player combinations of players of the EuroLeague of a single season in less than 1 s. Finally, we introduce indicative statistics using the computations mentioned. Full article

Despite the growing popularity of women’s basketball in recent years, scientific literature on the subject remains significantly less extensive compared to its male counterpart. The main objective of this research was to analyze successful offensive actions and patterns during critical moments in the Women’s EuroLeague. The sample consisted of 377 technical–tactical actions corresponding to plays with score differences of three points or less (one-possession games) in the final minute and overtime periods of the Women’s EuroLeague during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons. This study was based on an observational design, utilizing the LINCE PLUS software together with a customized observation tool. Descriptive statistics and chi-square (χ²) tests were carried out using SPSS version 25, while T-Pattern detection was performed through Theme 5 software. A threshold for statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. The findings indicated that home teams achieved a higher percentage of successful plays compared to visiting teams. Most successful patterns occurred during the final phase of possession (8”–0”), regardless of game location or team result. Additionally, layups, plays involving shots after on-ball screen, and actions following personal fouls demonstrated the highest success rates. The practical implications discussed in this research provide valuable insights for coaches to optimize offensive strategies during high-pressure moments in elite women’s basketball. Full article

In elite basketball, closely contested games are often decided in the last minute, where a single possession can significantly alter the outcome. The objective of this study was to analyze the offensive patterns and effectiveness of successful play sequences executed during the last minute and overtime periods of the 2022–2023 EuroLeague men’s basketball season. Specifically, we examined how offensive strategies varied based on score conditions and team status (winning, losing, or tied) in games with a score difference of three points or fewer, representing a maximum one-possession margin. The sample consisted of 709 technical–tactical actions performed in one-possession games during the last minute and overtime periods of the men’s EuroLeague 2022–2023 season. An observational methodology was employed using the LINCE PLUS software with a purpose-designed observational instrument. Descriptive analyses and chi-square (χ²) tests were conducted using SPSS 25, and T-Pattern analysis was performed with Theme 6 software. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The results showed that teams leading at the start of the possession executed a higher number of successful actions, primarily through free throws drawn from fouls committed by the opposing team. Additionally, plays involving few or no passes, executed within the first 17 s of possession, and completed by point guards or centers, were associated with higher success rates. While less frequent, fast breaks proved to be more effective than set offenses. Furthermore, the study highlights the role of elite playmakers in late-game situations, as their ability to read defenses and create scoring opportunities plays a crucial role in determining offensive success. The practical implications of this study can assist coaches in optimizing offensive strategies during high-pressure moments in elite men’s basketball by refining late-game decision-making and tactical planning. Full article

Timeouts are a widely supported strategy in the literature, recognized for directly influencing team performance during basketball games. This study aimed to analyze and define the successful patterns of actions after timeouts (ATOs) during critical moments in the 2022/23 EuroLeague season. The sample was drawn from the last two minutes and overtime of 169 games with a final point difference of 10 points or fewer, totaling 365 ATOs. An observational methodology was used, applying the LINCE PLUS software version 2.1.0 and an ad hoc observational instrument. Descriptive analysis and chi-square tests (χ²) were conducted using SPSS 25.0, and T-pattern analysis was performed with Theme 6 software. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Teams in the lead often concluded successful plays through free throws following opponent fouls, while teams trailing behind attempted to close the gap by committing fouls to force free throws in defense and scoring two-point baskets on offense. The findings offer insights into ATOs strategies that can support coaches and technical staff in training and adapting these actions to meet competition demands during critical game moments. These results may assist in enhancing team performance and decision-making under high-stakes conditions. Full article

Background: This systematic review analyzes the factors that influence home advantage in basketball across various competitions in the United States and Europe. Methods: Through an investigation of English- and Spanish-language articles published in EBSCO, Scopus, Consensus, and Web of Science between 2010 and 2024 related to home advantage in basketball, 1682 articles were initially identified. After applying specific filters to ensure that only articles concerning National Basketball Association (NBA), Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), Euroleague, Spanish basketball, and European basketball were considered, 39 articles met the final requirements for in-depth analysis. Results: The studies analyzed in this review suggested that player performance, player position, and sleep influenced home advantage in competitions in Europe and the United States. Fan behavior had a bigger impact in European competitions, where teams from capital cities have a lower home advantage. In the United States, where teams must travel long distances to play, several studies indicated that teams traveling eastwards tend to perform more strongly than teams traveling westwards. Also of note is that, in many cases, COVID-19 pandemic restrictions reduced home advantage. Conclusions: This review identifies factors contributing to home advantage in basketball, compares competitions in different regions, and proposes ideas for future research such as a greater focus on women’s competitions, the impact of television, and the introduction of new performance indicators. Full article

The purpose of this study is to calculate the carbon footprint of the 2023 EuroLeague Men’s Final Four competition and identify the sources of the carbon footprint in sports. This study also aims to predict possible solutions to reduce this footprint. Mixed research methods were used in this study. Firstly, carbon footprint calculations related to the teams and fan travel were carried out. In the second step, interviews were conducted with the managers of the teams that won the basketball Final Four. The interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview. The total carbon footprint of the four teams participating in the competitions was calculated as 4560.25 kg, and the average of the total carbon footprint of the teams per person was calculated as 189.74 kg. The total carbon footprint of the fans of the four teams was calculated as 4065.686 kg, and the average of the total carbon footprint per capita of the fans was calculated as 3.003 kg. According to the interview findings, the carbon footprint sources in sports were identified as traveling, energy consumption, and waste generation. Turning to renewable energy sources, waste management and sustainable transport alternatives were identified as effective solutions for reducing the carbon footprint. Analysis of the research results showed that the interest and participation in the Final Four and other international organizations are increasing. Due to increasing carbon footprint, these events and competitions should be planned and conducted in accordance with the goals of environmental sustainability. For this purpose, managers and policy makers should turn to clean energy sources, including waste management and recycling strategies, the preparation of sustainable transportation projects, and integrating all these processes into organization activities. Full article

Accelerometry is a crucial tool in basketball for quantifying the external load borne by players in response to the demands of intermittent high-intensity sports. To advance scientific knowledge in this field, it is imperative to study accelerometry across various populations, sexes, and competitive levels. The primary objective of this research was to characterize the acceleration (ACC) and deceleration (DEC) profiles of male under-18 basketball players during official games, identifying differences in acceleration and deceleration thresholds during playing periods and specific positions. Additionally, the interaction between specific positions and playing periods in acceleration thresholds was examined. Acceleration and deceleration were characterized using four variables: maximum ACC and DEC, distance covered, initial velocity and final velocity. These parameters were analyzed to understand the response of players participating in the Euroleague Basketball based on playing position and game period. A one-way ANOVA, along with effect size, was employed for statistical analysis. Demands exceeding ACC and DEC > 4 m·s⁻² were found to differentiate player interventions. High-intensity ACC was greater in the first period compared to the third and fourth periods. Distinctions were observed between Guards and Forwards concerning high-intensity ACC being superior to the Centers, and Guards differed from Centers in moderate DEC (2–4 m·s⁻²), presenting higher values. For all playing positions, high-intensity accelerations were greater during the first period compared to subsequent periods. The four variables used for characterizing ACC and DEC were found to be interrelated. Distance covered depended on maximum ACC and DEC, initial velocity on covered distance, and final velocity on maximum ACC and DEC, distance, and initial velocity. Full article

Background and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the health status of professional athletes after recovering from COVID-19 and the impact that SARS-CoV-2 had on their overall cardiorespiratory fitness, which was done by conducting cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Materials and Methods: A total of twenty-seven professional basketball players (Euroleague Basketball and the ABA League) participated in the study. CPET was performed before (as part of their regular preparticipation exam, during the pre-season period), as well as after SARS-CoV-2 infection (after two weeks of home isolation, during the competitive part of the season). CPET was performed on a treadmill, while cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic functions were evaluated by using a breath-by-breath analysis technique (Quark CPET system manufactured by Cosmed, Rome, Italy). Results: Maximal oxygen consumption and aerobic efficiency were significantly reduced after SARS-CoV-2 infection (p = 0.000). An obvious decrease in oxygen pulse was observed during CPET after recovering from COVID-19 (p = 0.001), as was deterioration of ventilatory efficiency. Internal respiration was the most negatively affected. An early transition from aerobic to anaerobic mechanisms of creating energy for work and intensive metabolic fatigue were obvious after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions: Although it was believed that SARS-CoV-2 only affects the cardiopulmonary status of the elderly population and people with associated comorbidities, it is clear from this research that professional athletes can also be at certain risk. Even though no pathological cardiovascular and respiratory changes were found in athletes after COVID-19, results showed significantly decreased cardiorespiratory fitness, with an emphasis on internal respiration. Full article

Billions of euros are invested every year by professional football clubs for the recruitment of players. How do market actors decide prices? This paper presents an econometric model unveiling the key factors coming into play in determining fees on the transfer market for professional football (soccer) players. The statistical technique used to build the model is multiple linear regression (MLR), with fees paid by clubs as an independent variable. The sample comprises over 2000 transactions of players transferred for money from clubs in the five major European leagues during the period stretching from July 2012 to November 2021. This paper notably highlights the importance of taking into consideration the remaining duration of contracts binding players with the club to which they belong, a factor often neglected in the existing literature. It also shows that a statistical model can explain over 80% of the differences in the transfer fees paid for players. This paper reveals various applications of the approach developed for the football industry to both assess and predict football players’ transfer fees and values: transfer negotiations, club sales or purchases, bank credit, fund raising, financial planning and communication, legal disputes, etc. Full article

In basketball, the end of the ball possession has been described as one of the most important determinants of successful offensive play by a team. The present study aimed to: (i) investigate outcomes according to the play types of ends of the ball possession; (ii) find the most efficient ball possessions during the game; (iii) predict most efficient ends of the ball possession by time in an elite basketball competition. The sample was composed of 38,640 situations of ends of the ball possession from 240 games of the 2017–2018 regular season of the men’s Euroleague that were quantitatively analyzed. According to the results, the predictive model can be used in modern basketball. The most efficient ends of the ball possession are the 2-point field goals on the fast break (78.2%), cuts (64.8%), pick and roll (P&R) screener (61.5%), and transition and offensive rebound (57.4%) situations. This information allows a better collective understanding of basketball, and it could be a great tool to use for coaches to prove which tactical solutions are to be considered when improving offense and defense strategies. It also contributes to the design of precise practice tasks of the coach that improve the game. Full article

The aim of the present study was to examine the differences in game-related statistics between national and foreign female basketball players in the Women’s EuroLeague, according to playing positions and team ability. The official box-scores of 112 games from the 2016–2017 season of the Women’s EuroLeague (FIBA) were examined. Players were categorised based upon country of nationality versus competition (i.e., foreign or national), playing positions (i.e., Guards, Forwards, Centers), and team ability (i.e., four groups using a cluster of k-means analysis according to the winning percentage of each team during the competition). A structural coefficient (SC) above |0.30| was used to identify the variables that best differentiated the national and foreign players. Results showed that foreign players had a better performance according to team ability and playing position for most of the performance indicators, with higher values for minutes played, percentage of successful 2-point field-goals, percentage of successful free-throws, and percentage of assists. Moreover, foreign players performed better in variables associated with offensive situations, while national players were prevailing with indicators associated with defensive actions. These results have highlighted the unique contributions of foreign and national players, based upon playing position and team ability, to team success in the Euroleague. This information will assist the recruitment process of national and foreign athletes for coaches to develop successful elite female basketball teams. Full article

The weekly training management and competition loads are important aspects to optimize the performance of professional basketball players. The objectives of the study were (a) to describe the weekly external load (EL), as well as the internal response (IR), of elite basketball players over two consecutive seasons with a different head coach and (b) to compare weekly loads of different competitive densities. The data were collected from 27 elite players from the same team competing in the Spanish first division league (ACB) and EuroLeague during 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 seasons. EL was measured using microsensor technology to determine PlayerLoad values, expressed in arbitrary units (AU). Session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) was used for IR quantification. Comparisons between the two seasons and of weeks with different competitive densities were made. The inter-week load variability was moderate-high for both seasons. The highest EL values were measured during the weeks with three games (W3) (W3 > W0 > W2 > W1), while the most demanding week for players’ IR was observed during weeks with no competition (W0). Additionally, higher EL (d = 0.31) and IR (d = 0.37) values were observed in season 2018–2019 compared to 2017–2018. The results obtained in this study contributed new data on the internal and external load required by professional basketball players in weeks with different number of games and showed that different coaching strategies may demand a different external and internal workload in consecutive seasons. Furthermore, the results highlighted the need to carry out an adequate load management program. Full article