Basketball is played by two teams of five who try to score points by putting a ball through the opposing hoop mounted on a backboard at the endline3. Field goals count for two points, or three when the shot comes from behind the arc drawn on the court3. A free throw awarded after a foul is worth one, and a tied game goes to overtime until one side pulls ahead3.

The rectangular court works indoors or outdoors, which helped the game spread far past its Massachusetts roots1. More than 200 countries field organized teams today, and basketball sits second only to football/soccer in global participation1. The pro pyramid in the United States is anchored by the NBA for men and the WNBA for women, with the college game run under the NCAA banner3. Outside the US the Euroleague across Europe and the Chinese Basketball Association draw the biggest domestic crowds3.

Beyond the professional game, basketball is a playground and gym staple. Pickup games at outdoor courts follow loose rules, often with 'twos and threes' scoring adjusted for pace, and formats like H-O-R-S-E and 21 turn shooting drills into head-to-head competitions3. Streetball culture around New York's Rucker Park and other legendary courts gave the game its own visual language, slang and highlight reel style3.