sports-clustering

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I found this dataset from ESPN's Page 2 where "experts" ranked 59 sports based on 10 different attributes each. Every sport is given a score out of 10 for each attribute - corresponding relatively to how much of that attribute is required for each sport.

This Python script can be used to cluster the sports based on those attributes.

How to run

1. Download this repo as a directory or clone it and run python3 cluster_sports.py.

2. The program will prompt you to select which dimensions to cluster on and how many clusters you want to create.

3. The clusters will print out pretty quickly!

Hint: I wouldn't choose more than 2-4 dimensions to cluster on and 5 or so clusters. You can choose all 10 dimensions and cluster into up to 59 clusters. But the output starts to feel meaningless after 2-4 dimensions and 5ish clusters. This has more to do with the lack of good data visualization. For now, the program just spits out the clusters, the means, and the sports in each cluster.

Note: I think I'll add a frontend UI to find similar sports or something more user-friendly later on my blog. For now, feel free to enjoy the data! Maybe make something of your own :D

Note 2: Notable missing sport: cricket 🏏! How can you miss this ESPN? Arguably the 2nd most popular sport on the planet.

More information

You can find this all in constants.py and sports_rankings.csv, but the attributes that ESPN ranked sports on were:

1. Endurance - The ability to continue to perform a skill or action for long periods of time.
2. Strength - The ability to produce force.
3. Power - The ability to produce strength in the shortest possible time.
4. Speed - The ability to move quickly.
5. Agility - The ability to change direction quickly.
6. Flexibility - The ability to stretch the joints across a large range of motion.
7. Nerve - The ability to overcome fear.
8. Durability - The ability to withstand physical punishment over a long period of time.
9. Hand-eye Coordination - The ability to react quickly to sensory perception.
10. Analytical Aptitude - The ability to evaluate and react appropriately to strategic situations.

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