Basketball
In short
A team sport played on a rectangular court where two teams of five players compete to shoot a ball through a raised hoop.
In plain words
Two teams try to score points by throwing a ball into a basket at the opponent's end. Players must dribble or pass the ball to move it around. The team with the most points at the end wins.
A simple example
A player shoots from far away behind the arc to earn three points, while a close shot earns two points.
Why it matters
It is one of the most popular global sports, requiring high levels of stamina, hand-eye coordination, and teamwork. It features major professional leagues like the NBA.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse it with netball, which uses a similar hoop but has different rules regarding movement and contact.