Hack-A-Shaq: A Classical Game Theory Model of Basketball Strategy

Publication Date

2026

Presentation Length

15 minutes

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Math and Computer Science, Department of

Student Level

Undergraduate

Faculty Mentor

Andy Miller

Presentation Type

Talk/Oral

Summary

Classical game theory examines “games” between two players in which each player makes a decision without knowing their opponent’s decision. This arbitrary definition allows classical game theory to be applied to real-world situations, not exclusively just to games like Rock-Paper-Scissors. This research project aims to use classical theory to model the basketball strategy “Hack-A-Shaq”. The “Hack-A-Shaq” was originally a strategy in which teams intentionally fouled the player Shaquille O’Neal. Teams believed that since O’Neal was a bad free-throw shooter, he would score less in a game when intentionally fouled. More generally, the “Hack-A-Shaq” strategy involves a team intentionally fouling an opponent in the hope that the fouled player misses their free throws. Using classical game theory, we can model the Hack-A-Shaq strategy and examine the potential outcomes for both teams.

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