How well do you know basketball?
Basketball is one of the most popular sports on Earth. Six questions, from easy to hard, about its rules and history.
Did you know?
- 3x3 basketball made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games in 2021. Games last ten minutes or until one team reaches 21 points, and there is a 12-second shot clock.
- Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a single NBA game in 1962, a record that still stands. There was no three-point line at the time, so every basket was worth two points or one from free throws.
- The standard height of a basketball hoop is 10 feet, about 3.05 metres. This height was set in the game's earliest days and has never changed.
From gym class to global game
Basketball spread quickly from the United States to the rest of the world through schools, missionaries and soldiers. Today it is hugely popular in Europe, China, the Philippines, Latin America and Africa, and the NBA features players from dozens of countries. Its fast pace, high scores and athletic plays make it especially attractive to television audiences.
The three-point revolution
For decades, most points came from close to the basket. In recent years, teams have used data to show that three-point shots are often more valuable on average, and some teams now take more than 40 threes per game. This shift has changed how players train and how teams design their offences.
A global league
The NBA now includes many international stars, and several recent Most Valuable Player awards have gone to players born outside the United States. International players often bring different skills learned in European and other leagues, such as teamwork and passing, which have influenced the league's style.
Basketball in Europe and Asia
Strong professional leagues exist in Spain, Türkiye, Greece, Serbia, Lithuania and elsewhere, and the EuroLeague brings together top clubs. In China and the Philippines, basketball is one of the most played and watched sports, with huge crowds for national teams and local leagues.
Streetball and 3x3
Outdoor basketball on public courts has its own culture, with creative dribbling and informal games. A faster, half-court version called 3x3, played by three players per team, became an Olympic event in 2021 and is growing worldwide because it needs only one hoop and a small space.
Women's basketball
Women's basketball has a long history and a growing audience. The WNBA in the United States began in 1997, and women's college basketball has recently drawn record television viewing figures in the US. Internationally, countries such as the United States, Australia, Spain and China have strong women's teams, and Olympic women's basketball has been played since 1976.