Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos

Basketball: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last updated

News •

Thomas Haugh's 19 points and 10 rebounds lead No. 1 Florida past No. 14 Miami, 77-67 • Nov. 3, 2026, 9:23 PM ET (AP)
A toast to a win? LeBron James takes a sip of wine after crashing into 76ers fan • Nov. 2, 2026, 11:45 PM ET (AP)
Michael Malone gets win No. 1 at blueblood North Carolina. It wasn't an easy night • Nov. 2, 2026, 11:29 PM ET (AP)

Photos and Videos

Taking flight
James Naismith stands outdoors holding a vintage basketball in one hand and a peach basket in the other, demonstrating the original basketball equipment.
Outdoor basketball game in 1892
Indoor basketball game
Julius Erving of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles a basketball on the court during a game, wearing a white Sixers uniform with number 6.
Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell
Pete Maravich, wearing number 23 LSU Tigers basketball uniform, dribbles the ball during a game, with spectators visible in the background.
Ben Bluitt of Loyola (Chicago), wearing number 17, jumps to block a shot by Wallace Jones of Kentucky, number 27, during a basketball game at Madison Square Garden.
Goose Tatum
2006 NCAA women's basketball national championship game
How March Madness Made College Basketball America's Favorite Pastime
See All Videos and Images →

Related Topics and References

Topics

Key People

default image
Kelly Loeffler
American businesswoman and politician
default image
Dennis Johnson
American basketball player
default image
Meadowlark Lemon
American basketball player
LeBron James
LeBron James
American basketball player
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, wearing jersey number 1, celebrates under the basket during an NBA playoff game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Victor Wembanyama
French basketball player
A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces drives toward the basket while guarded by Robyn Parks of the Chicago Sky during a WNBA playoff game at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
A’ja Wilson
American basketball player
Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers prepares to shoot a free throw during a basketball game, wearing a white jersey with the number 2.
Kawhi Leonard
American basketball player
Chris Paul
Chris Paul
American basketball player
Greatest of all time?
Sue Bird
American basketball player
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles a basketball on court during a game, wearing a blue Thunder jersey with number 2.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Canadian basketball player
Russell Westbrook of the Houston Rockets, wearing jersey number 0, dribbles a basketball down the court during a game, with spectators visible in the background.
Russell Westbrook
American basketball player
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant
American basketball player
Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum
American basketball player
Bill Russell
Bill Russell
American basketball player
Brittney Griner
Brittney Griner
American basketball player
Champion coach
Dawn Staley
American basketball coach and former player
Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving
American basketball player
Paul George
Paul George
American basketball player
Devin Booker wearing a navy USA basketball jersey and white headband smiles during a game at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Devin Booker
American basketball player
Jalen Williams, wearing number 8 for the Oklahoma City Thunder, celebrates on the basketball court during a game, with cheering fans in the background.
Jalen Williams
American basketball player

Related Quizzes

Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts after breaking the world record with a time of 19.30 to win the gold medal as Churandy Martina (left) of Netherlands Antilles and Brian Dzingai of Zimbabwe come in after him in the Men's 200m Final at the National Stadium during Day 12 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 20, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Summer Olympics, track and field, athletics)
I Am the Greatest (Athlete)
Assorted sports balls including a basketball, football, soccer ball, tennis ball, baseball and others.
American Sports Nicknames
Serena Williams poses with the Daphne Akhurst Trophy after winning the Women's Singles final against Venus Williams of the United States on day 13 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (tennis, sports)
Great Moments in Sports Quiz
Men fencing (sport; swordplay; sword)
Sports Season
Bobby Riggs (bottom) and Billie Jean King during the "Battle of the Sexes" match at the Houston Astrodome, Texas, September 20, 1973. (tennis)
Sports Moments Nicknames Quiz
Cricket bat and ball. cricket sport of cricket.Homepage blog 2011, arts and entertainment, history and society, sports and games athletics
Sports Quiz
A ball swishes through the net at a basketball game in a professional arena.
NBA Postseason 2021 Quiz
Rich Harden no. 40 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers. July 31, 2008 at Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cubs defeated the Brewers 11-4. Major League Baseball (MLB).
Sports Firsts Through the Ages Quiz
A ball swishes through the net at a basketball game in a professional arena.
Basketball Quiz
Thumbnail for 'Which Came First' Quiz. Composite image. Left is a stack of chocolate chip cookies on an orange background, right is a stack of off-brand oreos on a blue background. Dessert, food, snack
The Dating Game: Which Came First? Vol. 2
MILANO, ITALY - SEPT 17: Allen Ezail Iverson during his European tour on September 17, 2009 in Milan, Italy
Basketball Player Nicknames