Basketball

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, typically consisting of five players each, compete to score points by shooting a ball through the opposing team’s hoop. The game is played on a rectangular court with a hoop mounted 10 feet high at each end. Players score by making field goals (worth two or three points, depending on the distance from the hoop) or free throws (worth one point). Basketball combines elements of athleticism, skill, and teamwork, with players required to dribble the ball, pass, and shoot while also defending against the opposing team. The sport emphasizes speed, agility, and strategy and is governed by a set of rules that regulate gameplay, including fouls and violations. Widely popular globally, basketball is played recreationally and professionally, with major leagues such as the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States.