Artificial Intelligence: The New Frontier of Basketball Scouting

November 21, 2023

Artificial intelligence has swiftly revolutionized the world of sports, and basketball is no exception.

AI has indeed altered the scouting process, from talent evaluation to team preparation.

Nowadays, more and more teams and sports organizations worldwide are adopting AI technologies.

Transforming Talent into Numbers

One area where AI is having a significant impact is player evaluation.

Traditional methods rely on subjective elements and personal opinions, which can be imprecise.

Artificial intelligence, on the other hand, utilizes a wide range of objective data such as statistics, videos, and game analysis, ensuring more accurate and comprehensive examinations.

This new technology has enabled the quantification of aspects of basketball that were considered unquantifiable, providing teams with valuable insights on each player.

Examining the Style of Play with Artificial Intelligence

Also, with access to a broader data pool, AI goes beyond basic statistics and conducts more in-depth analyses.

The SportVU system, for example, uses high-resolution cameras to record matches and then examines the data using AI.

Used by teams like the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers, it contributes to improved preparation and allows for more informed decisions on game tactics.

The information gathered includes the players’ positions on the field, their speed and acceleration, and their offensive and defensive actions.

Enriching Athletic Preparation

Finally, AI is capable of creating more realistic and engaging simulations, unlike traditional preparation methods based on videos and manual representations.

Game reproductions are used for training against imaginary opponents and testing new game tactics indeed.

Teams like the Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks have adopted this technology, thanks to the Virtual Reality system.

In particular, a simulation recreated with AI helped the Toronto Raptors win Game 7 of the 2019 NBA Finals.

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Sports

The integration of artificial intelligence in basketball is revolutionizing various aspects.

This evolution brings with it an increase in athletic performance and paves the way for new strategies and approaches to the game.

AI will become increasingly sophisticated and capable of performing more complex tasks, establishing itself as a fundamental pillar in the sports landscape and promising to profoundly influence both the present and future of sports.

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