Basketball Now Basketball and its popularity continue to grow and spread. In 1994 two new NBA teams joined the league. The Olympics recognized basketball as a world-wide sport in 1936. Basketball today is played by five players from each team on the court at a time, which is directed by a coach. In recent years almost all professional basketball players in the United States and Canada have come from the college ranks.
Professional teams conduct drafts from which they select players, as the old retire.
Play-offs are held at the end of each 82 game season to determine the league champions. In 1976 women's basketball was added to the Olympics roster. The Women's Professional Basketball League was established in 1978, and by 1980 nine teams were playing in the United States. How Basketball Changed the World Basketball has helped change our world by employing hundreds of professional basketball players, making thousands and even millions of dollars each year. They play basketball as a job.