Advanced basketball analytics

This work explores Regularized Adjusted Plus-Minus (RAPM) in European basketball, aiming to assess player impact beyond traditional statistics. RAPM analyzes stints with consistent player presence to isolate individual contributions, thus reducing the multicollinearity of traditional basketball metrics such as Plus-Minus. The study adapts RAPM to the unique European context, considering different playstyles, game paces, and league structures. The methodology involves extending analysis over multiple seasons and employing Lasso, Elastic Net and Ridge regression techniques to enhance the model’s robustness. Results not only highlight top players but also uncover lesser-known impactful players, providing insights valuable for strategic decisions and player evaluations. Further, the study examines multi-league RAPM analysis, enabling comparative assessments across European leagues. This approach aids in understanding player adaptability and informs recruitment strategies. Overall, the results highlight RAPM's potential in European basketball, offering a comprehensive tool for data-driven player evaluation and paving the way for advanced analytics in the sport.