Basketball is a team sport played by two teams of five players on a rectangular court, where the objective is to score points by shooting a ball through the opponent’s elevated hoop. Teams advance the ball by dribbling or passing and defend by contesting shots, intercepting passes, and rebounding missed attempts. Standard games are divided into timed periods; possession changes after scoring, turnovers, or at halftime. The sport emphasizes athleticism, teamwork, strategy, and skills such as shooting, passing, dribbling, and defensive positioning. Originating in 1891 as an indoor winter game invented by James Naismith, basketball has grown into a global sport with professional leagues, international competitions, and widespread amateur play.