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 ten feet above the ground. The game is played on a rectangular court with a hoop at each end. Players can advance the ball by dribbling (bouncing the ball while running) or passing it to teammates. Points are scored by making shots from different distances, with field goals worth two or three points, depending on the shot’s location relative to the three-point line, and free throws worth one point. Basketball combines elements of skill, strategy, teamwork, and athleticism, and is played professionally, collegiately, and recreationally around the world. It originated in the late 19th century and has since become one of the most popular sports globally, governed by various leagues and organizations, the most notable being the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States.