Effective FG %
A shooting efficiency metric that adjusts field goal percentage to account for the fact that three-pointers are worth 50% more than two-pointers.
Standard field goal percentage treats a made two-pointer and a made three-pointer as identical. They are not. A player shooting 40% on threes is more efficient than one shooting 40% on twos — they score more points per attempt. Effective FG % corrects this by giving three-pointers extra weight, making it a fair comparison of shooting efficiency across different shot profiles. It's the first step beyond basic FG%.
Benchmarks
- League average: ~55%
- Good: above 57%
- Elite: above 59%
In 2025–26, Hapoel Tel Aviv leads EuroLeague teams with an eFG% of 57.6%, followed by Olympiacos at 57.0% and Olimpia Milano at 56.6%. At the bottom, ASVEL posted 50.7% — reflecting both poor shooting and a low three-point conversion rate of just 33.0%.
Hapoel Tel Aviv's 57.6% eFG% in 2025–26 comes from an uncommon formula: elite two-point shooting rather than three-point volume. Their 58.9% conversion rate on twos — second only to Olympiacos in the league — drives their efficiency despite a relatively modest 38.4% three-point attempt rate and 36.9% conversion from deep. It's a reminder that eFG% rewards shot quality from anywhere. A team hitting nearly 59% on twos is generating value that rivals most three-point attacks — they've simply found it closer to the rim.
Tensions
A player who draws fouls constantly and scores heavily from the line can have a mediocre eFG% while being one of the most efficient scorers on the team. eFG% is a field goal metric, not a scoring efficiency metric. For the full picture, True Shooting % (TS%) is the more complete measure.
A team that only takes open threes and layups will post a higher eFG% than one that takes contested mid-range shots — even if their shooters aren't more talented. eFG% rewards good shot selection as much as shooting ability. Two players with the same eFG% can have very different shot profiles.
Formula
eFG% = (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM) / FGA
eFG%: Effective Field Goal Percentage / FGM: Field Goals Made / 3PM: Three-Pointers Made / FGA: Field Goal Attempts
