Basketball positions with the numbers as they are known, 1-Point guard, 2-Shooting guard, 3-Small forward, 4-Power forward, 5-Center

The five basketball positions normally employed by organized basketball teams are the point guard (PG), the shooting guard (SG), the small forward (SF), the power forward (PF), and the center (C). The point guard is the de facto leader of the team on the court. This position requires substantial ball-handling skills and the ability to facilitate the team during a play. The shooting guard, as the name implies, is often the best shooter. As well as being capable of shooting accurately from longer distances, this position tends to also be the best defender on the team. The small forward often has an aggressive approach to the basket when handling the ball. The small forward is also known to make cuts to the basket in efforts to get open for shots. The power forward and the center are usually called the “frontcourt”, often acting as their team’s primary rebounders or shot blockers, or receiving passes to take inside shots. The center is typically the larger of the two.