Basketball riddles are puzzles and brain teasers that are based on the sport of basketball. They often play on the terminology, rules, or characteristics of basketball players, teams, and games.
These riddles can challenge the solver to think creatively about the sport, its equipment, scoring, positions, and famous players, while still maintaining an element of humor or cleverness in their formulation.
Kids enjoy these riddles as they teach them more about basketball and help them improve their logical reasoning, imagination, creativity, critical-based thinking, etc.
Feeling curious by these riddles! Go and check out the list of multiple basketball riddles given below. They can keep us engaged and entertained.
Basketball riddles for kids
Que : I’m round and orange, I bounce up and down. You dribble me on the court, then shoot to score. What am I?
Answer : A basketball.
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Que : I’m the place where games are played, with hoops at each end. The crowd cheers loud as players defend. What am I?
Answer : A basketball court.
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Que : I’m the leader of the team, calling plays and guiding dreams. I don’t play on the floor, but my strategy can’t be ignored. What am I?
Answer : A basketball coach.
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Que : I’m a player who jumps and flies, reaching for the hoop, aiming high. My slam dunks are fierce, soaring through the sky. Who am I?
Answer : A basketball player.
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Que : I’m a circle high above the ground, through me, the ball must go. Points are scored when you aim just so. What am I?
Answer : A basketball hoop.
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Que : I wear a jersey, shorts, and shoes, running up and down the court. I dribble, pass, and shoot, always playing my sport. Who am I?
Answer : A basketball player.
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Q: If a basketball player scores 3 points per shot and he makes 7 shots in a game, how many points did he score in total? Solution: Points per shot = 3 Number of shots made = 7 Total points scored = Points per shot × Number of shots made Total points scored = 3 × 7 Total points scored = 21
Que : I’m a loud, supportive fan, cheering from the stands. My team can hear my voice, helping them make a winning choice. What am I?
Answer : A basketball fan.
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Que : I keep track of points, fouls, and time, ensuring the game’s fair and fine. Without me, the game would be unclear. What am I?
Answer : A scoreboard.
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Que : I’m a quick move, a sudden turn, leaving defenders in a churn. I’m often used to get free, making space for a three. What am I?
Answer : A crossover.
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Que : I’m a break in the game, where teams can regroup. Coaches give instructions, forming a new troop. What am I?
Answer : A timeout.
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Que : I’m a long shot, beyond the arc, worth three points if you hit your mark. I require skill and precision, making defenders question their decision. What am I?
Answer : A three-pointer.
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Q: A team scored 80 points in a game. If they made 10 three-point shots, how many points did they score from other types of shots? Solution: Total points scored = 80 Points from three-point shots = 3 points × 10 shots Points from three-point shots = 30 Points from other types of shots = Total points scored – Points from three-point shots Points from other types of shots = 80 – 30 Points from other types of shots = 50
Que : I’m a defensive act, jumping high to stop the attack. I deny the shot with a powerful smack. What am I?
Answer : A block.
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Que : I’m a team’s performance, their win-loss score. Displayed for all to see, showing how they soar. What am I?
Answer : A record.
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Que : I’m the start of the game, with a ball thrown in the air. Two players jump to begin the affair. What am I?
Answer : A tip-off.
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Que : I’m a quick burst of speed, driving past defenders with ease. I aim for the hoop, my goal to seize. What am I?
Answer : A fast break.
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Que : I’m a foul shot, taken from a line, worth one point each time. I require focus and no rush, just a smooth push. What am I?
Answer : A free throw.
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Que : I’m the person in black and white, making sure the game’s played right. I blow the whistle for each infraction, ensuring fair action. What am I?
Answer : A referee.
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Que : I’m a defensive stance, where players move side to side. Preventing drives, they guard with pride. What am I?
Answer : Man-to-man defense.
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Q: During a game, a player scored twice as many two-point shots as free throws. If he made 4 free throws, how many two-point shots did he make? Solution: Number of free throws made = 4 Two-point shots made = 2 × Number of free throws made Two-point shots made = 2 × 4 Two-point shots made = 8
Que : I’m an offensive play, moving the ball around. Looking for an open shot, where points can be found. What am I?
Answer : A pick and roll.
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Que : I’m the sound of success, a swoosh through the net. Scoring points with nothing but net. What am I?
Answer : A swish.
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Que : I’m a defensive setup, covering the entire court. Players pressure their opponents, making it hard to transport. What am I?
Answer : Full-court press.
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Que : I’m a player’s tool for strategy and skill, used to analyze plays and drills. With diagrams and notes, I help the team fill. What am I?
Answer : A playbook.
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Que : I’m the total points scored by a player in a game, showing their contribution to their team’s fame. What am I?
Answer : A player’s stat line.
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Que : I’m a two-handed shot close to the rim, often used to ensure the ball goes in. What am I?
Answer : A layup.
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Que : I’m the area under the hoop, where rebounds are fought. Controlling this zone can mean winning the lot. What am I?
Answer : The paint.
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Que : I’m a basketball term for a quick pass and shot, often resulting in a sure scoring plot. What am I?
Answer : A give-and-go.
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Que : I’m a way to score three points, even if you’re fouled. Make the basket and the free throw, and the crowd goes wild. What am I?
Answer : An and-one play.
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Q: A player made 5 successful three-point shots and 7 successful two-point shots in a game. How many points did he score in total? Solution: Points from three-point shots = 3 points × 5 shots Points from three-point shots = 15 Points from two-point shots = 2 points × 7 shots Points from two-point shots = 14 Total points scored = Points from three-point shots + Points from two-point shots Total points scored = 15 + 14 Total points scored = 29
Que : I’m a strategy to slow down the game, taking time off the clock. Used to maintain a lead and control the block. What am I?
Answer : Running the clock.
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Que : I’m the person who controls the game’s pace, making plays and scoring with grace. What am I?
Answer : A point guard.
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Que : I’m the action of grabbing the ball after a missed shot, helping your team to get another scoring plot. What am I?
Answer : A rebound.
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Que : I’m a player’s success in making a shot, showing their accuracy whether they miss or not. What am I?
Answer : Field goal percentage.
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Que : I’m the moment in the game when the scores are tied, the next point wins, keeping fans on the side. What am I?
Answer : Overtime.
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Que : I’m the player who blocks shots and grabs boards, often the tallest on the court who helps the team score. What am I?
Answer : A center.
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Que : I’m the period of rest between two halves, giving teams time to plan their next moves fast. What am I?
Answer : Halftime.
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Que : I’m a violation for taking too many steps without dribbling, causing the referee to blow the whistle with a grumbling. What am I?
Answer : Traveling.
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Q: If a basketball team has 12 players and each player scores an average of 10 points per game, what is the total score of the team? Solution: Number of players = 12 Average points per player = 10 Total score of the team = Number of players × Average points per player Total score of the team = 12 × 10 Total score of the team = 120
Que : I’m the action of passing the ball to a teammate, assisting in a play that often results in a score straight. What am I?
Answer : An assist.
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Que : I’m a defensive action to gain possession, often resulting in a fast break progression. What am I?
Answer : A steal.
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Que : I’m a mistake when the ball handler loses control, giving the other team a chance to take a stroll. What am I?
Answer : A turnover.
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Que : I’m the part of the game where players practice skills, working on their shots, passes, and drills. What am I?
Answer : A practice session.
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Que : I’m the moment when a player leaps and scores with a powerful slam, often thrilling the fans with an almighty jam. What am I?
Answer : A slam dunk.
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Q: If a player plays 4 quarters in a game and scores 6 points in each quarter, what is his total score for the game? Solution: Points scored per quarter = 6 Number of quarters played = 4 Total score for the game = Points scored per quarter × Number of quarters played Total score for the game = 6 × 4 Total score for the game = 24
Que : I’m the sound that echoes in the gym when the ball misses and hits the rim. A clanging noise, not quite grim. What am I?
Answer : A clang.
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Que : I’m the referee’s signal for a foul shot, raising one hand, then pointing to the spot. What am I?
Answer : The free throw signal.
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Que : I’m the reward for a good defensive play, where the ball goes to the other team right away. What am I?
Answer : A turnover.
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Que : I’m the clock that counts down each play, giving the offense limited time to stay. What am I?
Answer : The shot clock.
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Que : I’m the official end of a game, with a loud noise and a final frame. What am I?
Answer : The buzzer.
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Que : I’m the arc beyond which shots are worth more, challenging players to aim and score. What am I?
Answer : The three-point line.
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Q: A basketball game lasts for 48 minutes. If a player is on the court for 75% of the game, how many minutes did he play? Solution: Total game time = 48 minutes Percentage of game played = 75% Minutes played = Total game time × Percentage of game played Minutes played = 48 × 0.75 Minutes played = 36
Que : I’m a pass that bounces once on the floor, often used to slip by defenders and score. What am I?
Answer : A bounce pass.
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Que : I’m the move where you pivot on one foot, using the other to change your route. What am I?
Answer : A pivot.
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Que : I’m the line players can’t cross during a free throw, ensuring fairness in the show. What am I?
Answer : The free throw line.
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Que : I’m a violation when a player palms the ball, making it easier to control and haul. What am I?
Answer : Carrying.
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Que : I’m the defender’s stance with arms spread wide, making it hard for opponents to slide. What am I?
Answer : Defensive stance.
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Que : I’m the term for a deceptive pass that fakes out the defense, creating an open shot in a sense. What am I?
Answer : A no-look pass.
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Q: If a player scores 2 points every minute and plays for 20 minutes, how many points did he score? Solution: Points scored per minute = 2 Number of minutes played = 20 Total points scored = Points scored per minute × Number of minutes played Total points scored = 2 × 20 Total points scored = 40
Que : I’m the place where substitutions are made, and players rest when the game is played. What am I?
Answer : The bench.
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Que : I’m the group of referees who officiate the game, ensuring rules are followed, always the same. What am I?
Answer : The officiating crew.
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Que : I’m the area around the basket where shots are tough to miss, often leading to an easy swish. What am I?
Answer : The key.
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Que : I’m the player who usually shoots from long range, known for hitting threes and changing the game. What am I?
Answer : A shooting guard.
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Que : I’m the skill of jumping high to grab a missed shot, helping your team a whole lot. What am I?
Answer : Rebounding.
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Que : I’m the act of dribbling and quickly passing to a teammate, keeping the defense on their toes, not late. What am I?
Answer : A drive and dish.
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Que : I’m the time when teams gather to discuss their plan, often led by the coach with a steady hand. What am I?
Answer : A huddle.
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Que : I’m the protective device worn on the mouth to prevent injuries from a sudden clout. What am I?
Answer : A mouthguard.
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Our engaging basketball riddles not only entertain but also help deepen one’s understanding of the game.
Even if you’re a player, a fan, or just someone looking for a fun challenge, these riddles offer a unique way to appreciate basketball.
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