Tomislav Buljan, a member of the University of New Mexico, stands out as one of the most efficient players in NCAA Division I. This article explores his unique success, including the impact of advanced statistics on his game.

Buljan’s rise in the Mountain West Conference is no coincidence, as confirmed by numbers valued by analysts far beyond mere points scored.

What is Player Efficiency Rating (PER)?
Player Efficiency Rating (PER) is a key metric used to assess a basketball player’s overall value. This statistic attempts to synthesize all positive and negative contributions of a player into a single number, providing a holistic view of their performance.

What does PER measure?

• Positive contributions: points scored, free throws, three-pointers, assists, rebounds, blocks, steals.

• Negative contributions: missed shots, turnovers, personal fouls.

PER is calculated through a complex formula that incorporates various in-game statistics. The basic idea is that the more minutes a player spends on the court, the more accurate their number becomes.

Tomislav Buljan currently has a PER of 25.3, making him the “leader” in the Mountain West Conference.

This metric places Buljan ahead of established names such as Corey Camper (Nevada, 24.7) and Mason Falslev (Utah State, 24.5). Such performance suggests not only high individual quality but also exceptional game intelligence.

Beyond individual efficiency, Buljan’s impact on the New Mexico team is best illustrated by his On-Court/Off-Court Plus/Minus statistic. With a value of 8.4, it is clear that the team performs significantly better and controls the game more effectively while the Croatian player is on the court.