Basketball in France
France - Avignon - Paris
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players each strive to score points by throwing the ball and making it pass through a 10 foot high hoop (the basket) under certain set rules and regulations. Competitive basketball is primarily an indoor sport. The outdoor version comes with less regulated variations. To eliminate the natural hazards such as rain or wind, competitive basketball is generally played indoors. Basketball in France is one of the most popular sports.
Basketball in France has many enthusiasts. There are many clubs that train young and budding players. Names of some of the big clubs are JL Bourg-en-Bresse, Étendard de Brest, Stade Clermontois BA, BCM Gravelines, BCM Gravelines and CSP Limoges.
Basketball in France has produced many big names over the years. Some of the famous basketball players of France are Jim Bilba, Richard Dacoury, Boris Diaw, Ian Mahinmi, Tony Parker and Mickael Pietrus.
The best performance by France in the World Championship was in 1954 when it held the 4th place. In 2006 World Championship, France had held the 5th place. In the 2005 European Championship, France secured the 3rd position. Basketball in France has consistently maintained a high standard. In the Olympic Games France has won the silver medal in the year 2000 and 1948. The France National Basketball team is administered by the Fédération Française de Basket-Ball (French Federation).
