ISSN: 2300-9705 eISSN: 2353-2807 OAI
DOI: 10.18276/cej.2026.2-03
Issue archive /
Vol. 54, No. 2/2026
Assessing the Impact of Assists in Offensive Efficiency and Game Outcomes in EuroLeague Basketball
| Authors: |
Panagiotis
Foteinakis
School of Physical Education, Sports Science and Occupational Therapy, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Democritus University of Thrace Dimitrios Pantazis
School of Physical Education, Sports Science and Occupational Therapy, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Democritus University of Thrace, University Campus, 69100, Komotini, Greece Georgios Karamousalidis
School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece Stefania Pavlidou
School of Physical Education, Sports Science and Occupational Therapy, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Democritus University of Thrace, University Campus, 69100, Komotini, Greece Christos Kokkotis
School of Physical Education, Sports Science and Occupational Therapy, Department of Occupational Therapy, Democritus University of Thrace, University Campus, 69100, Komotini, Greece Dimitrios Balampanos
School of Physical Education, Sports Science and Occupational Therapy, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Democritus University of Thrace, University Campus, 69100, Komotini, Greece Athanasios Chatzinikolaou
School of Physical Education, Sports Science and Occupational Therapy, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Democritus University of Thrace, University Campus, 69100, Komotini, Greece |
| Keywords: | basketball assists efficiency EuroLeague data analysis |
| Whole issue publication date: | 2026 |
| Page range: | 10 (31-40) |
Abstract
Assists in basketball are considered a key metric of team play and offensive efficiency. The purpose of the study was to examine how assist performance influences team offensive efficiency and game outcomes in the EuroLeague. Data from 224 games of the 2024-2025 EuroLeague regular season were analyzed, including game context, basic and advanced assist metrics, and shooting and performance efficiency metrics. The Mann-Whitney U test measured the differences in these variables between the winning and losing teams, and Spearman's rank-order correlation assessed the strength and direction of associations between assist-related variables, offensive efficiency, and game results. The findings showed that the winning teams recorded significantly higher assist-related metrics (p < .001) and higher efficiency (p < .001) compared to the losing teams. The Spearman analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between assist-related metrics and offensive efficiency (p < .001). A weaker association was observed between assist-related metrics and game outcome (p < .05). The assist-to-turnover ratio emerged as a key factor contributing to offensive output and, to a lesser extent, to winning outcomes in elite-level basketball. Data-driven analysis helps optimize team coordination, identify patterns, and promote a culture of effective ball movement, which is vital in elite basketball.
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