Analysis: Post scoring

The rankings above display the top scoring players in back to the basket situations so far this season. The average ABA League team has scored 4.4 points per-game in post up situations through Round 4—down from 4.9 per-game last season. Converted for only 0.77 points per-possession on average, post ups have not been a very efficient option for many teams. While many are looking elsewhere on the offensive end, several teams have been able to lean on their big men to produce one-on-one.

Digging Deeper

Two players this season have averaged more points per-game in post up situations than the average ABA League team. Dragan Apić of Budućnost VOLI and Filip Petrušev of Mega Soccerbet have both been exceptionally effective inside and that is far from surprising.

Apić would rank 6th among teams in points per game from the post which is less than shocking since he led the ABA League in post scoring averaging 4.4 points per game in the 2018-19 season. He remains one of the most reliable back to the basket scorers in the league with his strength and the consistency of his hook shot.

Petrušev, in contrast, ranked 11th among all players in the 353-team NCAA Division I last season scoring 7.1 points per game in the post. He is exceptionally polished for a rookie and shows the ability to score over both shoulders using crisp footwork to create angles steadily inside.

Marko Luković has a half-dozen seasons worth of experience in the ABA League, but he is playing with his back to the basket more often than ever in his first season with Split. A versatile inside-outside scorer who has scored 11.4 points per game in his ABA League career, Luković has remained productive as his role has shifted.

Jurij Macura is perhaps the most interesting name on this list as he has emerged as a dangerous interior weapon after averaging 2.4 points per game over 14 games in the ABA League last season. A tall, skilled big man with a good feel for the game, Macura is in the midst of a breakout year and appears to be beginning to fulfill his significant potential after a couple shortened seasons.
While post play is going out of style rather quickly across professional basketball, there is still room for efficient big men to add a dimension to their respective teams’ offenses. The ABA League tends to have its fair share of stand outs and this season is no different.

Insights and Statistics Provided by Synergy Sports Technology