篮球是一个由两队参与，在一个长方形篮球场进行的球类运动，每队出场5名队员，可将球向任何方向传、投、拍、滚或运，目的是将篮球投入对方球篮得分，并阻止对方获得球或得分。篮球是世界上最多人观看的球类活动之一，从1936年起就是奥运的正式竞赛项目之一。 在三分线内投进可得两分，若在三分线外投篮，可以得到三分。在比赛结束时，得分最多的球队获胜，但若二队平手，会进行延长赛。在球赛中，掌控球者可以用持续运球（将球弹到地上，再反弹到自己手中）的方式行进或奔跑，也可以将球传给其他队员，但若走步（掌控球者没有运球，且移动超过指定范围或指定方式）、翻球或二次运球均是违例。

Basketball is a sport played by two teams of five players on a rectangular court. The objective is to shoot a ball through a hoop 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter and 10 feet (3.048 m) high mounted to a backboard at each end.

A team can score a field goal by shooting the ball through the basket during regular play. A field goal scores three points for the shooting team if the player shoots from behind the three-point line, and two points if shot from in front of the line. A team can also score via free throws, which are worth one point, after the other team was assessed with certain fouls. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins, but additional time (overtime) is issued when the score is tied at the end of regulation. The ball can be advanced on the court by throwing it to a teammate, or by bouncing it while walking or running (dribbling). It is a violation to lift, or drag, one's pivot foot without dribbling the ball, to carry it, or to hold the ball with both hands then resume dribbling.