Basketball

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, typically consisting of five players each, compete to score points by throwing a ball through the opposing team’s hoop, which is elevated 10 feet above the ground. The game is played on a rectangular court with a hoop at each end. Points are scored by making field goals, worth two or three points depending on the player’s distance from the hoop, and free throws, worth one point each.

The game involves dribbling, passing, shooting, and defending, and it combines elements of athleticism, strategy, and teamwork. Basketball is governed by specific rules, including fouls and violations, which determine gameplay and player conduct. The sport is popular worldwide, with major professional leagues such as the NBA in the United States, and it is also featured in the Olympic Games. Basketball promotes physical fitness, skills development, and competition, and it has a significant cultural impact, particularly in urban communities.