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§ box-score
SPGSteals Per Game
SPG is total steals divided by games played — the cleanest counting stat for on-ball defensive playmaking.
Formula
SPG = total steals / games playedExample
A wing with 18 steals across 10 games: 18 / 10 = 1.8 SPG.
Why it matters
Steals are visible defensive plays that swing possession. They underrate strong positional defenders, so use them as one signal among several.
In depth
A steal directly converts the opponent’s possession into yours. Aggressive perimeter defenders post 2+ SPG; positional defenders may sit closer to 0.5–1.0 SPG and still be excellent defenders (steals undercount good defense).
Available in ArcStat Free tier (every box score).
Related terms