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 mounted 10 feet high on a backboard at each end of a rectangular court. The game is played on a flat, hard surface and involves elements of dribbling, passing, and shooting. Each team tries to score by moving the ball toward the hoop while preventing the opposing team from doing so. Points can be scored in various ways, including field goals (two or three points depending on the distance from the hoop) and free throws (one point each). The game includes specific rules, including fouls, violations, and game time, typically divided into quarters or halves. Basketball is governed by various organizations, with the National Basketball Association (NBA) being the premier professional league. It is played recreationally and at various levels of organized play, including school, collegiate, and international competitions.