BASKETBALL

Basketball is a sport with two teams and five players on each team. It was first invented
by Dr.James Naismith in Massachusetts in the USA. The first official match was played
in 1892.

This sport is played on a rectangular court normally 28 metres long and 15 metres
wide. The hoop has a diameter of 18 inches and is normally more than 10 feet high
above the floor.

Because the hoop is so high, most of the professional male basketball players need to be
at least 6 feet, 3 inches tall in order to play.

Michael Jordan is one of the most famous professional basketball players. He played as
a centre for the Chicago Bulls and his nickname was “Air Jordan” because he could
jump very high.

Today, basketball is still one of the world´s most popular sports. The most recent World
Cup Tournament was held in 2014 in Seville, in Spain. The USA came first, Serbia
second and France came third.

1. How many players are there in each 1. Five players.

team?
2. In 1892.
2. When was the first official match
played? 3. 15 metres.

3. How wide is the basketball court? 4. At least 6 feet, 3 inches tall.

4. What height do most professional 5. Because he could jump very high.

basketball players need to be in order to
play? 6. In 2014.

5. Why was Michael Jordan sometimes

called “Air Jordan”?

6. When was the most recent World

Cup Tournament held?