👉 Assists research in basketball quantifies how much a player contributes to their team's scoring efforts by counting the number of times they create scoring opportunities for others, often through passes. Unlike points scored, which directly reflect a player’s contribution, assists highlight the indirect impact of a player’s play—such as setting up teammates, creating space, or drawing defenders—making them a key indicator of a player's role in team success. Researchers analyze data from games to categorize assists into types (e.g., screen assists, deep ball assists, lob assists) and assess their frequency, effectiveness, and contribution to offensive efficiency. This research helps teams evaluate player value, identify strategic strengths, and inform recruitment or lineup decisions by revealing how assists drive scoring opportunities and overall team performance.
