Basketball Glossary
Definitions of some of the terms, team names, rules and sayings associated with basketball.
Bird Rights
Under certain circumstances, NBA teams have the option to exceed the salary cap to re-sign their own players. This exception came to be known as the "Larry Bird" clause.
Under certain circumstances, NBA teams have the option to exceed the salary cap to re-sign their own players. This exception came to be known as the "Larry Bird" clause.
AAU
AAU stands for "Amateur Athletic Union" -- a nationwide non-profit organization dedicated to promoting athletics and fitness programs. Unfortunately, AAU boys' basketball programs are often linked to many of the less-savory aspects basketball.
AAU stands for "Amateur Athletic Union" -- a nationwide non-profit organization dedicated to promoting athletics and fitness programs. Unfortunately, AAU boys' basketball programs are often linked to many of the less-savory aspects basketball.
Airball
An airball is a shot that misses... everything. The hoop, the rim, the backboard... the shot clock.
An airball is a shot that misses... everything. The hoop, the rim, the backboard... the shot clock.
Alley Oop
An acrobatic play that ends in a mid-air slam dunk.
An acrobatic play that ends in a mid-air slam dunk.
Assist
Assist is a statistic in basketball used to give credit to the player who "sets up" a basket with a pass.
Assist is a statistic in basketball used to give credit to the player who "sets up" a basket with a pass.
Bearcat
In zoology, "Bearcat" can refer to the binturong, a mammal native to Malaysia, or to the giant panda. But Cincinnati's athletic teams got the name from a cheer aimed at a World War I era football player.
In zoology, "Bearcat" can refer to the binturong, a mammal native to Malaysia, or to the giant panda. But Cincinnati's athletic teams got the name from a cheer aimed at a World War I era football player.
Billiken
A Billiken is a type of good luck charm that became popular in the United States in the early 1900s.
A Billiken is a type of good luck charm that became popular in the United States in the early 1900s.
Brick
Brick -- basketball slang for a particularly grace-less jump shot.
Brick -- basketball slang for a particularly grace-less jump shot.
Bruin
"Bruin" is an archaic term for a brown bear -- or any bear, really.
"Bruin" is an archaic term for a brown bear -- or any bear, really.
Contact Period
A contact period is a date range on the NCAA's official college basketball recruiting calendar during which coaches can make "in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts and evaluations.
A contact period is a date range on the NCAA's official college basketball recruiting calendar during which coaches can make "in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts and evaluations.
Dead Period
A Dead Period, as the name implies, is a date range on the official NCAA recruiting calendar in which little-to-no recruiting activity is permitted.
A Dead Period, as the name implies, is a date range on the official NCAA recruiting calendar in which little-to-no recruiting activity is permitted.
Double-Double
A "double-double" is a statistical achievement in basketball -- reaching ten or more in more than one category.
A "double-double" is a statistical achievement in basketball -- reaching ten or more in more than one category.
Elite Camp
Elite camps are invitation-only events that allow colleges to host top recruits for extended in-person summer workouts. They're also one of the least-regulated areas of recruiting and a major "gray area" when it comes to NCAA compliance.
Elite camps are invitation-only events that allow colleges to host top recruits for extended in-person summer workouts. They're also one of the least-regulated areas of recruiting and a major "gray area" when it comes to NCAA compliance.
Elite Eight
The "Elite Eight" refers to either the last eight teams remaining in the NCAA Tournament's field, or the fourth round of the tournament, in which those final eight teams meet.
The "Elite Eight" refers to either the last eight teams remaining in the NCAA Tournament's field, or the fourth round of the tournament, in which those final eight teams meet.
Evaluation Period
An evaluation period is a date range on the NCAA's official college basketball recruiting calendar during which coaches and athletic department staff can assess prospects' abilities and academic qualifications, but cannot make in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts.
An evaluation period is a date range on the NCAA's official college basketball recruiting calendar during which coaches and athletic department staff can assess prospects' abilities and academic qualifications, but cannot make in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts.
FIBA
FIBA is the federation that governs international basketball competition -- from the Olympics on down.
FIBA is the federation that governs international basketball competition -- from the Olympics on down.
Hoosier
"Hoosier" is a nickname for any person from Indiana -- and by extension, the Indiana University athletic teams. What does it mean? No one's really sure...
"Hoosier" is a nickname for any person from Indiana -- and by extension, the Indiana University athletic teams. What does it mean? No one's really sure...
Hoya
From "Hoya Saxa" -- a Greek/Latin phrase used to cheer a 19th century baseball team
From "Hoya Saxa" -- a Greek/Latin phrase used to cheer a 19th century baseball team
Jasper
Manhattan College's athletic teams are known as the Jaspers to honor Brother Jasper of Mary, the school's first baseball coach.
Manhattan College's athletic teams are known as the Jaspers to honor Brother Jasper of Mary, the school's first baseball coach.
Juco
Short for "junior college," juco typically refers to players who play at a two-year school initially, earn an associate's degree, and then transfer into a four-year college with two seasons' eligibility remaining.
Short for "junior college," juco typically refers to players who play at a two-year school initially, earn an associate's degree, and then transfer into a four-year college with two seasons' eligibility remaining.
Keydet
"Keydet" is a attempt to spell what the word "Cadet" sounds like when spoken with a Southern drawl.
"Keydet" is a attempt to spell what the word "Cadet" sounds like when spoken with a Southern drawl.
Krzyzewskiville
Krzyzewskiville is an area of the Duke campus where students camp out to wait for basketball tickets.
Krzyzewskiville is an area of the Duke campus where students camp out to wait for basketball tickets.
Letter of Intent
A letter of intent is a formal agreement that binds a given player to a given school.
A letter of intent is a formal agreement that binds a given player to a given school.
Medical Redshirt
A college player who misses a year or more due to injury can apply to have his or her scholarship extended. This is called a "medical redshirt," which makes more sense once you know the background.
A college player who misses a year or more due to injury can apply to have his or her scholarship extended. This is called a "medical redshirt," which makes more sense once you know the background.
Memorandum of Understanding
A memorandum of understanding is a formal agreement between two or more parties, but not quite as binding as a contract.
A memorandum of understanding is a formal agreement between two or more parties, but not quite as binding as a contract.
Midnight Madness
"Midnight Madness" refers to a massive pep rally that many schools hold on the first day of basketball practice in mid-October.
"Midnight Madness" refers to a massive pep rally that many schools hold on the first day of basketball practice in mid-October.
Official Visit
An official visit is a formal visit by a potential recruit to a college or university. Student-athletes are limited to five official visits.
An official visit is a formal visit by a potential recruit to a college or university. Student-athletes are limited to five official visits.
One and Done
The NBA's rule prohibiting high school seniors from entering the draft -- a la Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and LeBron James -- has given rise to a new class of college player: the "one and done."
The NBA's rule prohibiting high school seniors from entering the draft -- a la Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and LeBron James -- has given rise to a new class of college player: the "one and done."
Package Deal
In basketball recruiting, "package deal" often refers to a situation where a college program offers a job to the high school or AAU coach of a top recruit in order to get that recruit to commit.
In basketball recruiting, "package deal" often refers to a situation where a college program offers a job to the high school or AAU coach of a top recruit in order to get that recruit to commit.
Point Shaving
Point Shaving is the (highly illegal) act of purposefully holding down the score of a sporting event, in order to impact who will win bets against a point spread.
Point Shaving is the (highly illegal) act of purposefully holding down the score of a sporting event, in order to impact who will win bets against a point spread.
Point Spread
Given that a matchup of real equals in any sporting event is exceedingly rare, sports books create a point spread to handicap the superior team.
Given that a matchup of real equals in any sporting event is exceedingly rare, sports books create a point spread to handicap the superior team.
Quiet Period
A quiet period is a date range on the NCAA's official college basketball recruiting calendar during which coaches can only make in-person recruiting contacts on their program's campus.
A quiet period is a date range on the NCAA's official college basketball recruiting calendar during which coaches can only make in-person recruiting contacts on their program's campus.
Redshirt
A redshirt is a player who sits out an entire season of his or her sport in order to preserve a year's worth of eligibility.
A redshirt is a player who sits out an entire season of his or her sport in order to preserve a year's worth of eligibility.
Runner
Runners -- sometimes called "street agents" -- work to befriend basketball players with pro potential in the hopes of later signing those players to lucrative representation deals.
Runners -- sometimes called "street agents" -- work to befriend basketball players with pro potential in the hopes of later signing those players to lucrative representation deals.
Saluki
A breed of dog, used for hunting in ancient Egypt
A breed of dog, used for hunting in ancient Egypt
Show Cause
"Show Cause" is the harshest penalty the NCAA can levy against an individual.
"Show Cause" is the harshest penalty the NCAA can levy against an individual.
Sweet Sixteen
The "Sweet Sixteen" refers to the last sixteen teams remaining in the NCAA Tournament's field of 65, or to the third round of NCAA Tournament play.
The "Sweet Sixteen" refers to the last sixteen teams remaining in the NCAA Tournament's field of 65, or to the third round of NCAA Tournament play.
Tar Heel
A nickname for North Carolinians dating back to the Civil War
A nickname for North Carolinians dating back to the Civil War
Transfer
Like all college students, college basketball players have the option of transferring from one school to another. But because the NCAA is involved, transferring is far more complicated than simply making sure credits will be accepted at the new school.
Like all college students, college basketball players have the option of transferring from one school to another. But because the NCAA is involved, transferring is far more complicated than simply making sure credits will be accepted at the new school.
Unofficial Visit
An unofficial visit is an informal visit by a potential recruit to a college or university.
An unofficial visit is an informal visit by a potential recruit to a college or university.
Walk-On
"Walk On" is a term generally used to refer to a non-scholarship player.
"Walk On" is a term generally used to refer to a non-scholarship player.
Wingspan
In basketball, the term "wingspan" is used to describe a player's measurement from fingertips to fingertips when both arms are extended fully.
In basketball, the term "wingspan" is used to describe a player's measurement from fingertips to fingertips when both arms are extended fully.