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Is the NBA Summer League Predictive of Performance for NBA Rookies?

Author

Listed:
  • Brent A. Evans
  • Joshua D. Pitts
  • Chris Clark

Abstract

Using data from 2006 to 2019, we show that performance in the NBA Summer League can be used to predict regular season performance for NBA rookies. This result is indicated by general performance (win shares) and also by individual performance measures; for example, players who score more points than anticipated in the Summer League are also more proficient scorers as NBA rookies. Our findings suggest that NBA executives and coaches should use performance in the Summer League to inform personnel decisions. This study is the first of its nature and will hopefully encourage others to investigate the NBA Summer League.

Suggested Citation

  • Brent A. Evans & Joshua D. Pitts & Chris Clark, 2021. "Is the NBA Summer League Predictive of Performance for NBA Rookies?," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 22(2), pages 164-182, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:jospec:v:22:y:2021:i:2:p:164-182
    DOI: 10.1177/1527002520959138
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joseph Price & Brian P. Soebbing & David Berri & Brad R. Humphreys, 2010. "Tournament Incentives, League Policy, and NBA Team Performance Revisited," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 11(2), pages 117-135, April.
    2. Brent A. Evans, 2018. "From college to the NBA: what determines a player’s success and what characteristics are NBA franchises overlooking?," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(5), pages 300-304, March.
    3. Peter A. Groothuis & James Richard Hill & Timothy J. Perri, 2007. "Early Entry in the NBA Draft," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 8(3), pages 223-243, June.
    4. Ryan M. Rodenberg & Jun Woo Kim, 2011. "Precocity and labor market outcomes: Evidence from professional basketball," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 31(3), pages 2185-2190.
    5. David Berri & Stacey Brook & Aju Fenn, 2011. "From college to the pros: predicting the NBA amateur player draft," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 35(1), pages 25-35, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Richard J. Paulsen & Olivia Boucot, 2023. "Playing in a pandemic: The impact of family on performance in the NBA's “bubble”," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 44(4), pages 2102-2109, June.

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