Basketball is my favourite game. I like it because it is one of the most popular games filled with aggressiveness. The team has to play four quarters with 12 minutes play. It takes 48 minutes to finish the game. The two competing teams have 12-15 players in a team. The head coach will select the best five players of the team to start the game since only five players are allowed to play at a time. The two teams must try to score more than their opponents, to win. Basketball is popular in America with the biggest basketball league. The National Basketball Association (NBA) consists of 30 teams. It was started in the 1950s. The first basketball game was played in 1890. Los Angeles Lakers small forward LeBrom James is known as the best player with over 33,000 career points in the modern era.
The basketball court is divided to two halves. In each half, a three point line and a free throw line are marked on the floor. If a player commits a foul by making an irresistible or too aggressive contact with an opponent, the fouled player will be granted free throws. You should be well conditioned and have a perfect body shape to play the game. Height is also important. The shortest in the NBA row, is Tsaiah Thomas who is 5’9” in height. And he is literally unguarded.
There are five positions in basketball. They are point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward and centre. These positions will be given to players according to height and skills. I am a basketball player and I play the role of a power forward. I have a dream to play in the NBA, and it needs a lot of hard work and dedication. I love this sport very much.
Yasas Sri Vishmitha Jayawardena,
Grade 9,
Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa.