BASKETBALL

Basketball is a very fast-moving team sport. Players bounce the ball or pass it to move up the court. Then they try to throw the ball into their basket to score points. The basket, or hoop, has a metal rim with a net hanging from it. The basket is 10 feet above the ground. Some players can jump so high that they just push the ball down into the basket. That is called a "slam dunk". The team that scores the most points wins the game. Many basketball players are very tall. The United States has always been very competitive and successful in basketball. Recently their 'Dream Team' has had great success. The Dream team, comprised of many professional players, won the Gold medal in 1996 and are favourites for the 2000 Games.