Basketball

A game played between two teams of five players each, the object being to throw a ball through an elevated basket on the opponent's side of a rectangular court is known as basketball. Players may move the ball by dribbling or passing with the hands. The inflated, spherical ball is used in this game. They score by tossing, or "shooting," an inflated ball through a raised hoop, or "basket," located in their opponent's end of the court. A goal is worth two points, three if shot from outside a specified limit. A player who is fouled (through unwarranted physical contact) by another is awarded one to three free-throw attempts (depending on the circumstances of the foul). A successful free throw is worth one point. The first Olympic of basketball contest was held in 1936, and the (FIBA) introduced world championships for men and women in 1950 and 1953, respectively.