Peach baskets

Basketball was invented in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1891 by James Naismith as a way for students to stay in shape during the winter. He nailed a peach basket to the wall 10 feet above the ground. Someone would retrieve the ball after every made basket. Not until years later did the bottom come off the basket to create the hoop we know today.

US dominance

The country where the sport was invented has dominated Olympic tournaments throughout history. The men's event was introduced in 1936 and the US has won 114 games against five losses. Since the women's event was introduced in 1976, the US has won 42 Olympic games and lost only three. In 1992, NBA players were allowed to play in the Games for the first time, leading to the formation of the "Dream Team".

Big scorers

With games lasting only 40 minutes (two 20-minute halves), teams rarely score more than 100 points. It had happened just four times in the Olympics before 2004, but it happened three times in Athens. Lithuania led all teams in 2004 with an average of 93.8 points per game. China's Yao Ming scored the most points in a single game with 39, while Spain's Pau Gasol led all scorers for the tournament with 22.4 points a game.

All-time greats

Michael Jordan, widely considered the best basketball player in the game's history is also a member of the Olympic Hall of Fame. He won gold both as an amateur in 1984, when he led the US in scoring with a 17.1 average, and again in 1992. American Teresa Edwards, sometimes called the "female Michael Jordan", is one of the greatest women's players to step on an Olympic court. She led the US to four gold medals (1984, 1988, 1996, 2000) and one bronze (1992).

3-point line

At 6.25 m from the center of the basket, FIBA's 3-point line is nearly a meter closer than the NBA's. The FIBA 3-point line will be pushed back to 6.75 m in 2010.

Three seconds in the 'key'

The three-second restricted area, known as the "key" or the "lane", is the trapezoidal area beneath the basket and below the free-throw line (the key will change to a rectangle beginning in 2010; NBA courts currently have rectangular keys). No offensive player is allowed to stand in the key for more than three seconds.

Shot clock

Players must shoot (and hit the rim) within 24 seconds or a buzzer will sound and possession will be lost. FIBA lowered its shot clock from 30 seconds to 24 in 2000.

(China Daily 05/16/2008 page8)