Basketball

Basketball is a team sport played on a rectangular court, typically indoors, in which two teams, usually consisting of five players each, compete to score points by shooting a ball through the opposing team’s hoop or net, which is elevated ten feet above the ground. The game is played with a spherical ball that players advance by dribbling (bouncing the ball while walking or running) or passing it to teammates. Points are awarded based on the distance from which the shot is made: two points for shots made from within the three-point line, and three points for shots made from beyond it. The objective of the game is to score more points than the opposing team within a specified time frame, typically divided into quarters or halves. Basketball emphasizes skills such as shooting, dribbling, passing, and defensive maneuvers. It is governed by a set of rules that dictate gameplay, fouls, and other aspects of the sport. Basketball is popular worldwide and is played at various levels, from casual street games to professional leagues, including the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States.