Suleja Basketball Association of Nigeria

There are five positions in the game of basketball, allowing for 10 players on the court at once, and 5 for each team.

Point Guard - Mainly responsible for ball-handling and passing, generally to the shooting guard or the center. Offensively can create openings in a defense through quick penetration and layups. Defensively, they generally harass the opposing point guard and can optionally drop down to double-team threatening post players. They are generally the smallest players on the floor. Also referred to as the "1" position. Notable point guards include Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, and Walt Frazier.

Shooting Guard - Generally the first or second offensive option on a team, the shooting guard primarily shoots the ball, but can also be a secondary ball-handler and distributor. Often, shooting guards have range out beyond the three-point arc and primarily move off-ball, only receiving the ball to catch and shoot. Defensively, they are usually used to slow down the opposing shooting guard, but can be moved to cover either the 1 or the 3 depending on the situation due to their size. Also referred to as the "2" position. Notable shooting guards include Michael Jordan, Jerry West, and Reggie Miller.

Small Forward - Generally the most versatile position in terms of both offense and defense, the small forward can fill any number of roles, from defensive stopper, to passer and distributor, to offensive firecracker. Small forwards can generally cover any other player on the floor except for the center and some power forwards. Also referred to as the "3" position. Notable small forwards include Larry Bird, Elgin Baylor, and LeBron James.

Power Forward - Mainly responsible for rebounding as well as a secondary inside threat, the power forward can fill any number of roles depending on the team. Usually they are a reliable post presence with the additional ability of being able to shoot from mid-range, and can defend both opposing power forwards and centers. They are also typically quite capable of shot-blocking and performing a lot of the tasks that a center normally would. Also referred to as the "4" position. Notable power forwards include Tim Duncan,Charles Barkley, and Karl Malone.

Center - The man in the middle. The center is usually the biggest and most imposing player on the floor. Defensively it falls to them to defend the rim against attacking guards and also to defend opposing centers and power forwards in the post. Offensively they are often a primary option, though their greatest contributions typically fall on the defensive end. Also referred to as the "5" position. Notable centers includeBill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O'Neal.