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 or basket, 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 distance from the hoop, or by free throws, worth one point each, awarded after certain fouls.

Each team attempts to outscore the other by strategically passing, dribbling, and shooting the ball while also defending against the opposing team’s offensive plays. Basketball emphasizes coordination, agility, and teamwork and is governed by rules that regulate gameplay, including fouls, time limits, and scoring. The sport is widely played at recreational, amateur, and professional levels around the world, with notable leagues such as the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States.