Block %
The percentage of opponent two-point field goal attempts that a player or team blocks while on the floor — measuring rim protection ability.
Raw block totals are heavily influenced by minutes played. A center who plays 30 minutes will block more shots than one playing 18, regardless of who is the better rim protector. BLK% normalises for this by measuring blocks as a share of opponent two-point attempts — the only shots that can be blocked. It's the cleanest measure of a team's ability to deter and deny shots at the rim.
Benchmarks
- League average: ~3.5–4%
- Good: above 4.5%
- Elite: above 5.5%
In 2025–26, Real Madrid leads EuroLeague teams with 3.9 blocks per game, followed by Valencia Basket at 3.1 and Paris Basketball at 3.0. The league average of 2.5 blocks per game reflects modest rim protection across the competition — teams seeking defensive identity must find shot-blockers or compensate through perimeter pressure.
Real Madrid's league-leading 3.9 blocks per game in 2025–26 anchors their defensive structure — Walter Tavares alone contributes 1.8 blocks nightly, the highest individual mark in the competition. This rim protection supports their 112.9 defensive rating, fourth-best in EuroLeague, and helps explain their 27–15 record. Shot-blocking changes shot selection — opponents who know a shot-blocker is waiting often avoid the rim entirely.
Tensions
A center who blocks many shots but gives up easy putbacks after those blocks contributes less than the raw number suggests. Some of the best rim protectors in EuroLeague deter shots rather than block them — opponents simply don't challenge them. True rim protection shows up in opponent two-point percentage, not just BLK%.
Three-pointers cannot be blocked in any meaningful way — the math excludes them. Teams that force high volumes of three-pointers will face fewer blockable shots, potentially showing lower BLK% despite excellent interior defense. Always read BLK% alongside the opponent's shot zone distribution.
Formula
BLK% = Blocks / Opponent Two-Point Field Goal Attempts × 100
BLK%: Block Percentage / BLK: Blocks / FGA_opp: Opponent Field Goal Attempts
