BASKetball

made specifically for basketball were brown, and it was only

in the late 1950s that Tony Hinkle, searching for a ball that would be more visible to players and spectators alike, introduced the orange ball that is now in common use. Dribbling only became a major part of the game around the 1950s, as manufacturing improved the ball shape. The peach baskets were used until 1906 when they were finally replaced by metal hoops with backboards. Whenever a person got the ball in the basket, his team would gain a point. The baskets were originally nailed to the balcony of the playing court, but this proved impractical when spectators on the balcony began to interfere with shots. The backboard was introduced to prevent this interference; it had the additional effect of allowing rebound shots.

minutes. Оvertime periods are five minutes in length except for high school

which is four minutes in length. Teams exchange baskets for the second half. Five players from each team may be on the court at one time. Players wear high-top sneakers that provide extra ankle support. Typically, team names, players' names and, outside of North America, sponsors are printed on the uniforms.

to that of the FIFA World Cup; both of these international

competitions were played in the same year from 1970 through 2014. From 1986 through 2014, the men's and women's championships were held in the same year, though in different countries. The current champions are the United States, who defeated Serbia in the final of the 2014 tournament.