A fast-paced indoor team sport where players score by shooting a ball through an elevated hoop.
Origin and rules
Dr. James Naismith invented basketball in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, using peach baskets nailed to a gym balcony. Two teams of five try to shoot a ball through the opponent’s hoop while preventing the other from doing the same.
How it plays
Field goals score two points, three-point shots count three, and free throws one. NBA games run four 12-minute quarters; FIBA uses four 10-minute quarters. Players advance by dribbling or passing and may not travel without dribbling.
Competition
The NBA is the world’s premier league, with the EuroLeague leading European club basketball. The FIBA Basketball World Cup and the Olympic tournament are top international events. Basketball joined the Olympics in 1936.
Find more sports by letter
Basketball starts with B and ends with L. Browse other sports along the same letter.
Sports that contain a letter from "Basketball":