LYNDHURST, N.J. — When it comes to measuring player performance, there are several methods and accompanying formulas. From the Tendex system, developed in the 1960s, to John Hollinger’s PER, the quest for an accurate player measurement has persisted through the decades.
One of the most widely used formulas is the Manley formula, named after its developer, Martin Manley. The author of “Basketball Heaven,” an NBA statistical analysis book published in the late 1980s, Manley devised a formula for player efficiency that is user-friendly and useful.
Efficiency = (Points + Rebounds + Steals + Blocks + Assists) – (Turnovers + Missed Free Throw Attempts + Missed Field Goal Attempts)
Here is an example of the Manley formula at work.
The Rutgers women’s team defeated Seton Hall 71-47 Feb. 28. Here’s a closer look at the top three scorers and their efficiency in the game.
| Player | Team | Points | Efficiency |
| April Sykes | Rutgers | 25 | 19 |
| Jasmine Crew | Seton Hall | 18 | 9 |
| Chelsea Lee | Rutgers | 16 | 19 |
Crew’s efficiency suffered because she shot 6-of-14 from the field. In addition, she had no assists and six turnovers. On the other hand, Lee posted a solid efficiency because of 5-of-7 shooting and sevem rebounds.
Sykes, the game’s leading scorer and a match up problem all night for Seton Hall, also finished with a good efficiency score. Her 25 points came on 11-of-17 shooting from the field. She could have had a higher efficiency, but one negative stat canceled out one good stat. As a guard and forward who can play in the post or on the perimeter, Sykes had two rebounds but also two turnovers and no assists.
The Manley efficiency formula is not perfect. But it is useful, and if nothing else, it encourages us to look beyond a player just putting points on the board.
