Number of People Worldwide Who Play Basketball
When Dr. James Naismith first mounted peach baskets on an elevated track at the Springfield YMCA, he could never have envisioned the popularity of the game he had invented. Since its early days, basketball has attracted players of all ages, sizes, and genders.
And while the game has evolved significantly, the basic premise of basketball remains the same. Below, we are going to look at basketballs popularity and the total number of people worldwide who play basketball. Similarly, we are going to look into a few reasons as to why basketball is such a popular sports and what are some of the main benefits gained by playing the game.
How Many People Worldwide Play Basketball?
Basketball, behind only soccer, is the one of the most popular sports in the world. With estimates indicating that over 450 million people play the sport worldwide, it is one of the most played and beloved sports globally.
Similarly, if you look at just the United States, estimates indicate that over 26 million Americans play the sport regularly, more than any other team sport.
Below, we have broken down the number of individuals who play basketball by country. In no particular order, you can see just how popular basketball is worldwide, with tens of millions of participants and players playing the game in their respective country.
| Country | Number of Basketball Players |
| United States | 26 million |
| China | 300 million |
| Philippines | 40 million |
| Australia | 1.1 million |
| Canada | 354,000 |
| Lebanon | 1.7 million |
| Greece | 2.3 million |
| Bosnia | 870,000 |
| Mexico | 700,000 |
| Israel | 1.3 million |
| Egypt | 1.84 million |
| Iraq | 2.3 million |
| Pakistan | 1.1 million |
| Japan | 5.67 million |
Why Is Basketball So Popular?
Behind soccer, basketball remains one of the most popular team sports in the world. And the reason for its popularity comes down to its simplicity. Basketball, similar to soccer, requires very little facilities and equipment to enjoy the game.
And, while it’s true that if one wanted, basketball could become an expensive and cost-prohibitive sport, overall the basic necessities and requirements to get a game started are quite simple and low. To get a game started, a player would simply need a basketball hoop and a basketball.
That is, because the list of equipments needed to get a game started are low, the game is easily accessible and can be played by just about anyone. To get a game started, a player or a group of players simply needs a proper basketball hoop and a basketball.
Unlike American football, ice hockey, lacrosse or many other sports, basketball does not require a expensive equipment and gear to get a game started. Rather, with a simple hoop affixed above the ground and a basketball, an individual or group of individuals can begin a game of basketball in little time.
And while the main reason why basketball is so popular is due to its relative simplicity, another important reason is due to the popularity of the NBA and NBA players.
Widely revered and looked up to, NBA players are some of the most famous athletes in the world. With many NBA players having tens of millions of followers on social media platforms, their popularity and fame precedes them.
These players are often looked up to and revered not only for their abilities on the court, but also for their strength, athleticism, and wealth. It is a well-known fact that NBA players are some of the highest paid athletes in the world and that wealth can be an enticing dream for many younger players looking to get started in the game.
What Are the Benefits of Basketball?
While basketball remains one of the most popular sports in the world due to its relative inexpensiveness and ability to get started, the sport also offers a plethora of social, mental, and physical benefits. Below, we are going to review some of these benefits that can be gained by playing basketball.
- Improves Hand-Eye Coordination – Playing basketball is one of the best ways to develop hand-eye and foot coordination. These are developed during play, as you maintain balance throughout movement. Your body will also need to adapt to quick movements, including jumps, pivots, and a changing of direction.
- Effective Weight Loss Workout – Basketball is one of the most effective weight loss workouts you can complete. In addition to the fun, competitive nature of the sport, on-average, a basketball player will lose between 630-750 calories within an hour game. This caloric loss can be done in a spirited, friendly manner and is much more enjoyable than simply walking on a treadmill.
- Develops Concentration and Self-Discipline – Basketball is a game of seconds and one in which the course of the game can change quickly and rapidly. This means that a basketball player needs to develop concentration and focus whilst playing the game in order to succeed and play both effective offense and defense.
- Fosters a Level of Selflessness – Basketball encourages and fosters a level of selflessness. Unlike other sports, like baseball, a game of basketball and an individual team can reach greater success by being selfless and making the extra pass, boxing out for your teammate to grab the rebound, and setting a well-timed pick or screen for your teammate to attempt the open shot.
- Strengthens Muscular Endurance – The game of basketball requires agility, strength, and endurance. During the game, you will need to move quickly and change directions within a short duration of time. These movements require muscular endurance, which is the ability for your muscles to apply repeated force for an extended period of time. This can be achieved by not only playing basketball but also by working out at the gym on both your upper and lower body.