Basketball is a game.
Basketball . While most often played as a team sport with five players on each side , three-on-three , two-on-two , and one-on-one competitions are also common . The game was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith , who would be the first basketball coach of the Kansas Jayhawks , one of the most successful programs in the game 's history . The point guard directs the on court action of the team , implementing the coach 's game plan , and managing the execution of offensive and defensive plays ( player positioning ) .