NBA all-time scoring champion vs. 10-time season scoring champion: Which record is more unlikely?

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Authors: Zhuojing Zhang, Tao Chen
Cited by: 0
References: 19

Abstract

Given its popularity and large market value, professional basketball has attracted increased academic attention over the past few decades. We employ the Extreme Value Theory (EVT) to compare two almost unreachable records in NBA: all-time and 10-time season scoring champions. The surpassing probabilities for each record were measured using EVT. We find that the surpassing probability of the NBA all-time scoring champion is more than eight times higher than the surpassing probability of the NBA 10-time season scoring champion, indicating that the latter is the more unlikely record.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Sports Analytics and Performance Complex Systems and Time Series Analysis Probability and Statistical Research

Publication details

Journal / source
International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching
Publication date
7 January 2026
Language
EN