ARE MORE GIRLS OR BOYS PLAYING BASKETBALL?

there are more boys than girls playing basketball in the U.S. One source states that 23.0% of
basketball players are women and 77.0% of basketball players are men1. Another source states that
17.4% of professional basketball players are women and 82.6% of professional basketball players are
men2. However, these statistics may vary depending on the level and location of the basketball
players.

There are many possible reasons for the gender gap in basketball, but some of the common
ones are:

 Sociocultural factors: Basketball is often seen as a masculine sport that requires

physical strength, aggression, and competitiveness. Women who play basketball may
face stereotypes, discrimination, or harassment from society, peers, or coaches. Some
women may also lack role models, mentors, or support networks in basketball12.
 Institutional factors: Basketball programs for women may receive less funding,
resources, or opportunities than those for men. Women may have less access to
quality facilities, equipment, coaching, or training. Women may also face barriers in
entering professional leagues or earning equal pay as men12.
 Biological factors: Women and men have different physical characteristics that may
affect their performance in basketball. Women tend to be shorter, lighter, and have
less muscle mass than men. Women also have different hormonal levels and
menstrual cycles that may influence their energy, mood, or recovery. These factors
may create a competitive advantage for men or a disadvantage for women in
basketball3.
 According to Statista, in the 2021/2022 school year, a little over 892 thousand high
schoolers in the participated in basketball programs. This figure was the lowest
recorded since the beginning of the 2009/2010 school year1. Out of these
participants, 389,590 were boys and 502,410 were girls1. This means that 43.6% of
high school basketball players were girls and 56.4% of high school basketball players
were boys1.
 According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, by age 14, many girls are dropping out
of sports at two times the rate of boys2. Some of the factors influencing girls’
participation in sports are lack of access, safety and transportation issues, social
stigma, decreased quality of experience.