How many players are on a basketball team?
Quick answer
In a standard basketball game, each team has five players on the court at a time, so there are 10 players in total. Teams have more players on the bench for substitutions: an NBA team can have up to 15 on its roster, with 13 active for each game.
Roster sizes by league
| League | On court | Typical roster |
|---|---|---|
| NBA | 5 | Up to 15 (plus two-way contracts); 13 active per game |
| WNBA | 5 | 11–12 |
| NCAA (college) | 5 | Often 13–15 |
| FIBA (international) | 5 | 12 |
| 3x3 basketball | 3 | 4 |
The five positions
| Number | Position | Main job |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Point guard | Runs the offense, passes and calls plays |
| 2 | Shooting guard | Scores, especially from outside |
| 3 | Small forward | All-around scorer and defender |
| 4 | Power forward | Rebounds and plays near the basket |
| 5 | Center | Usually the tallest; blocks shots and rebounds |
Modern basketball is increasingly “positionless,” with players who can handle the ball, shoot and defend in many roles.
Substitutions
Unlike football (soccer), basketball allows unlimited substitutions. Players can come in and out many times during a game, but only when the clock is stopped, such as after a foul or timeout.
A quick history
Basketball was invented in 1891 by James Naismith, a Canadian teacher in Springfield, Massachusetts, who used peach baskets nailed to a balcony. Early games sometimes had nine players a side; five per side became standard by 1900.
Game length
| League | Game length |
|---|---|
| NBA | 4 quarters of 12 minutes |
| FIBA and WNBA | 4 quarters of 10 minutes |
| NCAA men | 2 halves of 20 minutes |
For other sports basics, see the distance of a marathon and who should start in fantasy football.
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