Women's basketball
WNBL Canberra Capitals player Nicole Hunt attempts to steal the ball from Logan Thunder's Renae Camino | |
| Highest governing body | International Basketball Federation |
|---|---|
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | Limited |
| Team members | Five on-court players per team |
| Type | Team sport, ball sport |
| Equipment | Basketball |
| Venue | Basketball court |
| Presence | |
| Olympic | Yes |
Women's basketball is the team sport of basketball played by women. It was first played in 1892, one year after men's basketball, at Smith College in Massachusetts. It spread across the United States, in large parts via women's college competitions, and has since spread globally. As of 2020, basketball is one of the most popular and fastest growing sports in the world.
There are multiple professional leagues and tournaments for professional women basketball players. The main North American league is the WNBA. The FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament feature top national teams from continental championships. In the US, the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship is also popular. The strongest European women's basketball clubs participate in the EuroLeague Women.