The Impact of the Five-Factor Model of Personality on the Performance of Basketball Players

This research examined how the Five-Factor Model (Openness to Experience,
Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism) acts upon
professional basketball players, exploring in addition whether these personality
traits differ among playing position or levels of experience. A sample frame of
116 male professional players participating in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025
qualification was utilized. Personality traits were assessed using the 41-item
Goldberg inventory, while performance was determined through a
customized Player Efficiency index based on multiple linear regression analysis
of core game statistics (Points, Rebounds, Assists, and Steals). The results
indicated statistically Extraversion (α ≤ 0.05); no significant association was
found for Agreeableness and Neuroticism. Even though significant differences
were found by playing position for Agreeableness, only guards scored less
than forwards and centers. Across levels of experience, there were significant
differences for Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, and
Neuroticism. Players with more than ten years of experience had higher
Openness and Conscientiousness and were lower on Neuroticism than
players with five years of experience or less. Overall, the findings suggest that
important personality traits—especially openness, self-discipline, and social
engagement—can contribute powerfully to basketball performance. These
results demonstrate the potential for integrating personality assessment into
talent identification, player development programs, and team-building
processes in elite basketball settings.