100+ Basketball Trivia Questions and Answers

The ultimate trivia question collection around all things basketball is here. How much do you know about Lebron James, James Naismith, Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry, Magic Johnson, the Chicago Bulls, the Miami Heat, the Golden State Warriors, the New York Knicks, the San Antonio Spurs, the Boston Celtics and other NBA star players and NBA teams? Do you know the rules of the game?

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Basketball and NBA Trivia

This set of NBA trivia questions and basketball trivia questions will test how much you know about basketball history and all things about the game of basketball, and the NBA career highlights of some of the most notable players.

Basketball Trivia Questions and Answers

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Question	Answer
Which basketball team did Michael Jordan play for in college?	▶ University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Who was the shortest player ever to play in the NBA?	▶ Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues
What is the regulation height for a basketball hoop?	▶ 10 feet (3.048 m)
According to NBA rules how long does a player have after catching the ball to shoot a free throw?	▶ 10 seconds
Who is the only head basketball coach to win both an NCAA national championship and an NBA title?	▶ Larry Brown
Who is the all time leading point scorer in NBA history?	▶ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
What NBA player was known as “The Pearl”?	▶ Earl Monroe
Who is the only basketball player to score 100 points in a single NBA game?	▶ Wilt Chamberlain
The NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies formerly played in what Canadian city?	▶ Vancouver
What now retired NBA player starred in the 1996 movie Kazaam?	▶ Shaquille O’Neal
In basketball, what is the term used when a player reaches double digits in three of five statistical categories?	▶ Triple-double
Basketball great Kobe Bryant played his entire 20-year career with which team?	▶ Los Angeles Lakers
In 1983, what two NBA teams set the record for the highest scoring regular-season game with a final score of 186-184?	▶ Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons
At 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m), who was the shortest player ever to play in the National Basketball Association?	▶ Muggsy Bogues
Who is known as “His Airness”?	▶ Michael Jordan
Which player scored 100 points in a single NBA game?	▶ Wilt Chamberlain
What team won the very first NBA Championship in 1947?	▶ Philadelphia Warriors
Who holds the NBA record for most career points scored?	▶ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Which player has won the most NBA MVP awards?	▶ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Who was the first player to be unanimously voted NBA MVP?	▶ Stephen Curry
Which team drafted LeBron James first overall in 2003?	▶ Cleveland Cavaliers
What arena is home to the Los Angeles Lakers?	▶ Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena)
Who won the NBA Finals MVP in 2020?	▶ LeBron James
Which coach has won the most NBA championships?	▶ Phil Jackson
Who holds the single-season record for most 3-pointers made?	▶ Stephen Curry
Which player is nicknamed “The King”?	▶ LeBron James
What is the maximum number of players a team can dress for an NBA game?	▶ 15
Who is the all-time leading scorer for the Boston Celtics?	▶ John Havlicek
What team did Kobe Bryant play his entire 20-year career with?	▶ Los Angeles Lakers
Who was the first international player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame?	▶ Dražen Petrović
Which country won the first Olympic gold medal in men’s basketball (1936)?	▶ United States
Who holds the NBA record for most assists in a single game (30)?	▶ Scott Skiles
What NBA franchise has the most regular-season wins in a single season (73)?	▶ Golden State Warriors (2015–16)
Which city hosted the 1992 “Dream Team” Olympic basketball games?	▶ Barcelona
Who is the youngest player to score 50 points in an NBA game?	▶ LeBron James
Which NBA player is nicknamed “The Mailman”?	▶ Karl Malone
Who was the first woman to dunk in an NCAA game?	▶ Georgeann Wells
Which team moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008?	▶ Seattle SuperSonics → Oklahoma City Thunder
Who won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2021?	▶ LaMelo Ball
Which player famously scored the “sky hook” shot?	▶ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Who is the all-time leading rebounder in NBA history?	▶ Wilt Chamberlain
What NBA team was nicknamed “The Bad Boys”?	▶ Detroit Pistons (late 1980s–early 1990s)
Which player won six NBA championships in the 1990s?	▶ Michael Jordan
Who was the first player to record a quadruple-double in the NBA?	▶ Nate Thurmond
Which team did Magic Johnson play for?	▶ Los Angeles Lakers
Who holds the record for the most consecutive free throws made in the NBA (87)?	▶ José Calderón
Which player has the most career steals in NBA history?	▶ John Stockton
Who is the all-time leading scorer for the Chicago Bulls?	▶ Michael Jordan
Which team drafted Dirk Nowitzki in 1998?	▶ Milwaukee Bucks (traded to Dallas Mavericks)
What is the diameter of a regulation NBA basketball hoop in inches?	▶ 18
Who was the first NBA player to win MVP, All-Star MVP, and Finals MVP in the same season?	▶ Michael Jordan (1991–92)
Which NBA coach was nicknamed “The Zen Master”?	▶ Phil Jackson
Who holds the record for most blocks in a single NBA game (17)?	▶ Elmore Smith
Which player is known as “The Big Fundamental”?	▶ Tim Duncan
Who was the first player to be named All-NBA First Team 10 times?	▶ Bob Cousy
What team did Allen Iverson win MVP with in 2001?	▶ Philadelphia 76ers
Which player hit the winning shot in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals?	▶ Kyrie Irving
What year did the WNBA begin play?	▶ 1997
Who is the all-time leading scorer in WNBA history?	▶ Diana Taurasi
Which NBA teammates are nicknamed the “Splash Brothers”?	▶ Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson
Who was the first college underclassman drafted #1 overall?	▶ Amar’e Stoudemire (2002)
Which NBA player has won the most Defensive Player of the Year awards?	▶ Dikembe Mutombo & Ben Wallace (4 each)
What player holds the record for most points in an NCAA Tournament game (61)?	▶ Austin Carr
Who is the only coach to win both an NCAA and an NBA championship?	▶ Larry Brown
Which team has the longest active playoff appearance streak (1998–2019)?	▶ San Antonio Spurs
Who recorded the first official 5×5 in an NBA game?	▶ Hakeem Olajuwon
Who won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2020?	▶ Montrezl Harrell
Who is the all-time leading scorer at the University of Kentucky?	▶ Dan Issel
Which NBA player’s number 32 is retired league-wide?	▶ Magic Johnson
Who is credited with inventing modern basketball dribbling?	▶ Jimmy Cunningham (early 1900s)
What team did Shaquille O’Neal win his first NBA championship with?	▶ Los Angeles Lakers (2000)
Which player set the record for fastest triple-double (14:33)?	▶ Robert Covington
Who holds the NBA record for most turnovers in a single game (14)?	▶ Jason Kidd
Which star founded the “Jordan Brand” with Nike?	▶ Michael Jordan
Who was the first high-school player drafted to make an All-Star team?	▶ Kevin Garnett
Which coach has the most regular-season wins in NBA history?	▶ Don Nelson
Who is the NBA’s all-time leader in made 3-point field goals?	▶ Ray Allen
What year did the NBA and ABA merge?	▶ 1976
Who won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2021?	▶ Anfernee Simons
Who holds the Finals record for most points in a series (400)?	▶ LeBron James (2016)
Who is the only NBA player to win MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year?	▶ Larry Bird
Which team has the most NBA championships won (17)?	▶ Boston Celtics
Who is the all-time leading scorer in NCAA women’s basketball?	▶ Kelsey Plum
Which player was nicknamed “The Glove”?	▶ Gary Payton
What is the standard height of a basketball hoop in feet?	▶ 10
Who was the youngest-ever NBA All-Star starter?	▶ Domantas Sabonis (2023)
Which player scored 81 points in a single game?	▶ Kobe Bryant
Who was the first international player to lead the NBA in scoring?	▶ Giannis Antetokounmpo
Who holds the record for most points in an NBA All-Star Game (52)?	▶ Anthony Davis
Who won the first WNBA championship?	▶ Houston Comets (1997)
Which player has the most career triple-doubles?	▶ Russell Westbrook
Who is the all-time leading scorer for the New York Knicks?	▶ Patrick Ewing
Who was the first player to reach 30,000 career points?	▶ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
What team did Chris Paul start his career with?	▶ New Orleans Hornets
Who was the first NBA player to play in six different decades?	▶ Vince Carter
Which college coach has the most NCAA men’s basketball wins?	▶ Mike Krzyzewski
Who hit the famous buzzer-beater for Duke against Kentucky in 1992?	▶ Christian Laettner
Which NBA team drafted Dirk Nowitzki but traded him on draft night?	▶ Milwaukee Bucks
Who holds the NBA record for most points in a playoff game (63)?	▶ Michael Jordan
Who was known as “Pistol Pete”?	▶ Pete Maravich
Which NBA coach has the highest playoff winning percentage?	▶ Steve Kerr
Who was the first player drafted directly out of high school?	▶ Moses Malone
Which player has the most Olympic gold medals in basketball (men)?	▶ Carmelo Anthony (3)
What year did the NBA introduce the 3-point line?	▶ 1979–80 season
Who made the first 3-point shot in NBA history?	▶ Chris Ford
Which NBA player was nicknamed “Dr. J”?	▶ Julius Erving
Who holds the WNBA record for most points in a single game (53)?	▶ Liz Cambage
Who was the first to shoot 50–50–100 (FG, 3PT, FT) in an NBA game?	▶ Steve Novak
Who scored the first basket in NBA history?	▶ Ossie Schectman
Which team is called the “Purple and Gold”?	▶ Los Angeles Lakers
Who coached the “Bad Boys” Pistons to two championships?	▶ Chuck Daly
Who was the first African-born player inducted into the Hall of Fame?	▶ Manute Bol
Which franchise did Patrick Ewing play his entire career with?	▶ New York Knicks
Who is the NBA’s all-time leader in blocked shots?	▶ Hakeem Olajuwon
Who is known as “The Answer”?	▶ Allen Iverson
Who is the oldest player to win an NBA championship?	▶ Dikembe Mutombo (age 43 in 2009)
Which team’s mascot is “Go the Gorilla”?	▶ Phoenix Suns
Who holds the record for most consecutive games played (1,192)?	▶ A.C. Green
Who was the first coach to win 1,000 NBA games?	▶ Don Nelson
Which WNBA player has the most career rebounds?	▶ Sylvia Fowles
Who is the NBA’s all-time leader in minutes played?	▶ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Who first scored 70+ points in a game after Wilt’s 100?	▶ David Robinson (71)
Who won NBA Coach of the Year in 2021?	▶ Tom Thibodeau
What team did Larry Bird play for?	▶ Boston Celtics
Which arena was nicknamed “The Mecca of Basketball”?	▶ Boston Garden
Who was the first to reach 20,000 career points?	▶ Elvin Hayes
Which player was known as “The Big Ticket”?	▶ Kevin Garnett
Who holds the record for most 3-pointers in a Finals series (32)?	▶ Stephen Curry (2015)
Who has the most career playoff points?	▶ LeBron James
Who is the first European inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame?	▶ Dražen Petrović
Who hit the championship-clinching shot in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals?	▶ Ray Allen
Who was the first rookie named Finals MVP?	▶ Magic Johnson (1980)
What year did the NBA expand to include the Raptors and Grizzlies?	▶ 1995
Which coach is nicknamed “Pop”?	▶ Gregg Popovich
Who holds the WNBA career assists record?	▶ Sue Bird
Who hit the “Corner God” 3-pointer in Game 7 of 2016?	▶ Kyle Korver
Who is the NBA’s all-time leader in field goal percentage?	▶ DeAndre Jordan
Who holds the NCAA D-I women’s single-game scoring record (60)?	▶ Kelsey Plum
Who is the NBA’s all-time leader in playoff rebounds?	▶ Bill Russell
Which team did Kevin Durant win his first title with?	▶ Golden State Warriors
Who recorded the first 5×5 in a playoff game?	▶ Andrei Kirilenko
Who won the 1993 regular-season MVP?	▶ Charles Barkley
Which WNBA franchise relocated in 2009?	▶ Detroit Shock (to Tulsa)
Who was the first to make 2,000 career 3-pointers?	▶ Reggie Miller
Who is the youngest to record a triple-double?	▶ LaMelo Ball (18 years, 327 days)
Who coached the first 70-win team?	▶ Steve Kerr (2016 Warriors)
Which player has the top-selling signature shoe line?	▶ Michael Jordan
Who was the NBA’s first commissioner?	▶ Maurice Podoloff
Who is the NBA’s all-time leader in playoff steals?	▶ Scottie Pippen
Which player was known for wearing number 34 with the Lakers?	▶ Shaquille O’Neal
Who won the first 3-point contest (1986)?	▶ Larry Bird
Which player has the most career made free throws?	▶ Karl Malone
Which team drafted Giannis Antetokounmpo?	▶ Milwaukee Bucks
Who won the NBA’s first Clutch Player of the Year (2023)?	▶ Dejounte Murray
Who holds the WNBA single-season rebound record?	▶ Sylvia Fowles (403)
Who is known as “The Greek Freak”?	▶ Giannis Antetokounmpo
Who has won MVP, All-Star MVP, and Finals MVP twice?	▶ Shaquille O’Neal (2000 & 2002)
What team did Yao Ming play for?	▶ Houston Rockets
Who popularized the “Eurostep” in the NBA?	▶ Manu Ginóbili
Who first recorded 2,000 points & 1,000 rebounds in a season?	▶ Elvin Hayes
Which player grabbed 30 offensive rebounds in a game?	▶ Dennis Rodman (21 official)
Who is the only player with 30+ points and 30+ rebounds in the shot-clock era?	▶ Elgin Baylor
Which team did Vince Carter debut with?	▶ Toronto Raptors
Who coached the USA “Redeem Team” in 2008?	▶ Mike Krzyzewski
Who has the most NBA championships as a player (11)?	▶ Bill Russell
Who won the first NBA Skills Challenge?	▶ Jerry Stackhouse