PER

Sports abbreviation · Basketball

PER
Stands forPlayer efficiency rating
CategoriesSports

PER stands for Player efficiency rating, a basketball abbreviation.

Per-minute rating created by John Hollinger that combines a player's positive and negative box-score contributions and adjusts for pace, with 15.0 set as league average. Values above 25 indicate MVP-level seasons.

Example: The center posted a PER above 31 for a third straight season.

Usage notes

Hollinger introduced PER in the early 2000s while writing for ESPN and later worked in the Memphis Grizzlies' front office. Critics note that it rewards high-volume scoring and undervalues defense. Outside sports, PER can mean "per" in documents or a price-earnings ratio.

More basketball abbreviations

  • MIN – Minutes
  • MIP – Most Improved Player
  • MPG – Minutes per game
  • MVP – Most Valuable Player
  • OREB – Offensive rebounds
  • ORtg – Offensive rating
  • PF – Personal foul (basketball)
  • PG – Point guard
  • PnR – Pick-and-roll
  • PPG – Points per game
  • PTS – Points (basketball)
  • REB – Rebounds

See all 52 basketball abbreviations →

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