Performance Profiles of Basketball Players in NBA According to Anthropometric Attributes and Playing Experience

Abstract

Recruiting players inteam sports isavery complex process.For example, in basketball, the anthropometric attributes and playing experience seem to appear as key factors to be accounted for selection and allocation to game-specific positions. Naturally, the tallest and heaviest players play closer to the basket, while smallest players are usually placed in perimeter positions. Additionally, experience may be another important factor to be considered in the players' selecting process.Previous research has summarized that expert players have a significant advantage over novices in reading game, decision-making, and anticipating events (Williams and Ford, 2008). Considering these statements, describing technical and physical performance profiles using different anthropometric characteristics and playing experiences might reveal new fine-tuned information to improve research models and support coaching staffs' decisions. Thus, the aim of this study was to classify and describe player performances from different groups of anthropometric and playing experience characteristics.