Basketball is one of the most loved sports in the world.And I know by as you reading this article you may know some players or have interest in this sports.

‎Basketball goes a long way.It was founded in 1891 by a Canadian Physical Education Instructor named Dr James Naismith whiles working at YMCA Training School in Springfield Massachusetts,USA.This history of basketball is for another day.In today article we will talk about the number of players in a basketball team.

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‎As a young basketball fan who used to watch the game with my dad,i always asked myself this question why there is only five players each at both side of the team on the court compared to soccer.I know by now you meant have also thought about this.Every basketball team has five players that is made up of the Point Guard (PG), Shooting Guard (SG), Small Forward (SF), Power Forward (PF) and Centre (C).

‎This is the general breakdown of leagues and their number of players.

‎1. NBA ( National Basketball Association)

‎This league is the most popular league in the world.This is were the likes of Lebron James,Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry plays.In this league,every team has a maximum number of 15 players.

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‎2. WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association)

‎This is the women version of the NBA,since it’s formation in 1997,the WNBA has over the years improved and expanded.This league is home to the likes of Jackie Young,Kelsey Mitchell and Jewell Loyd.The maximum number of players in every team roster is 12.

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‎3. International leagues

‎This leagues rosters varies.The likes of the Spain, Italy and Germany has a number of 12 to 15 whiles the Chinese and Australian has a number of 15-18 and 10-13 respectively of players.

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‎4. College Basketball

‎With college Basketball is between 12 to 15 players but only 13 players are eligible to play due to scholarship available,coach preference and resources available for the program.This rules are set by National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

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‎5. High school

‎High school roster is between 10 to 15 players and that’s based on school population and state association organizers.

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‎Why Team Has More Than 5 Players

‎1. Coach flexibility

‎This allows the coach to adjust and change tactics when facing opponents.This makes the coach to change roles of players based on their skills, weakness and performance.

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‎2. Fouls and injuries

‎Due to the nature and fast pace of basketball,players sometimes get injured or foul other opponents.This enables the coach to make the needed changes to enable the players adapt to any issues on the court.

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‎3. Rest and player rotation

‎Due to the number of players in the team,the coach is able to substitute players (stressed out) and give others opportunity to play to help the club.

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‎4. Improve good competition among players

‎A roster with a lot of players bring out the best in each player.This is because every player is trying to bring out the best in them to make it in the selection to represent the team.

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‎5. Players development

‎This ensures players continue to develop at the highest level and helps the younger ones to learn from the bold and experience ones in the team.

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