There are five main positions on the court: shooting guard, small forward, centre, power forward, and point guard.
But it is every player's responsibility to try and stop the opposition from scoring.
And every player can push forward to try and make that all-important basket.
Different players will possess a variety of skills.
Depending on how well the team are getting on, the coach will want different players with certain jobs on the court at any one time.
A team can have no more than 12 players, and can make unlimited substitute changes.
Any team member in the squad is regarded as a substitute when they are not playing.
No player can re-enter the game after they have been ejected.
A team's primary reserve or back-up player is known as the "sixth man".