Leisure Kicks - The essencial sport and leisure guide

Basketball is a fast and entertaining game that requires stamina and speed. It also boasts glamour and style, as the infamous Michael Jordan demonstrated with his spectacular slam dunks rampant scoring. Basketball players do have a reputation for being tall – the average height of a National Basketball Association player is 6ft 7in but this isn’t always the case as 5ft 3in Mugsy Bogues played in the NBA as one of the best point guards of his generation. In reality basketball is actually a very accessible sport that anyone can succeed at with a bit of hard work. It’s also becoming increasingly popular in the UK at a grassroots level. 

Basketball is a fast-paced team sport with the basic goal of scoring points by throwing a ball into the opposing team’s basket. Different numbers of points are scored according to where the ball was thrown from when the basket was made. Many of the game’s rules are geared towards maintaining an incredibly engaging spectator sport. Players cannot run without bouncing the ball, free throws are given for fouls and the professional game’s shot clock keeps the ball flying up and down the court and the goals scored frequently and with flair. 

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The progression of basketball in the UK will take time