Basketball
Basketball is a high-tempo team sport in which two opposing sides score by shooting a ball through an elevated hoop. It is distinguished by continuous dribbling, rapid transitions between offense and defense, and a shot clock.
AT A GLANCE
- ERA
- Late 19th century
- ORIGIN
- Springfield, USA
- PLAYERS
- 10 on court · 24 total
- EQUIPMENT
- Basketball, hoops, net
- PLAYING AREA
- 28 × 15 m
- DURATION
- 4 × 10 or 12 mins
- GOVERNING BODY
- FIBA
- OLYMPIC
- Yes
Scoring at a glance
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Free throw | 1 point |
| Field goal (inside 3-point arc) | 2 points |
| Field goal (beyond 3-point arc) | 3 points |
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1891 | Invented by James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts |
| 1932 | International Basketball Federation (FIBA) founded |
| 1936 | Men's basketball added to the Olympic Games |
| 1946 | Basketball Association of America (later the NBA) formed |
| 1976 | Women's basketball added to the Olympic Games |
| 1992 | NBA active players permitted in Olympic competition |
How a game works
Two teams of five active players attempt to score by shooting a ball through an elevated hoop mounted 10 feet high. Players move the ball by dribbling or passing, while opponents attempt to steal, contest shots, and grab rebounds.
Scoring in one line
Free throws count for one point, standard field goals count for two, and shots taken from beyond the three-point arc count for three points.
Where it came from
Physical education instructor James Naismith created basketball in December 1891 at the YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts, to keep students active indoors during winter. The original game used peach baskets and a soccer ball.
Basketball today
Governed globally by FIBA, basketball is played across major professional leagues including the NBA, EuroLeague, and WNBA. It features both traditional 5v5 full-court play and 3x3 half-court formats at the Olympic level.
Run a Basketball tournament
Brackets, fixtures and standings in your browser — 4 × 10 min quarters.
FAQ
How long is a basketball game?
FIBA and Olympic games consist of four 10-minute quarters (40 minutes total), while NBA games feature four 12-minute quarters (48 minutes total).
When did basketball become an Olympic sport?
Men's basketball debuted at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and women's basketball was introduced at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
What is the 3-point line in basketball?
The 3-point line is a court arc designating field goals worth three points instead of two if shot from beyond its perimeter.