Basketball is played at many different levels. There is recreational basketball for grade school aged players, high school basketball, college basketball and professional basketball. Professional basketball ranks includes the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

Basketball is a fast paced, exciting sport for all ages to enjoy. Not only have high school basketball and high school basketball showcases become popular throughout the country, college basketball is one of the most popular collegiate sports televised today. College basketball's most intriguing part of the season is March Madness. March Madness is when a field of 65 teams compete in an elimination tournament to crown a National Champion at the end of each year's regular season.

Basketball, like all other professional sports, helps to teach life lessons to young players such as playing on a team, working well with others and listening to not only their peers but also their coaches and superiors.

The NBA and WNBA playoffs take place each year at the end of a grueling regular season schedule. The NBA playoffs consist of three rounds before the finals. There is the conference quarterfinals, the conference semifinals and the conference finals; after which comes the NBA Finals. One of the most successful pro basketball franchises in the history of the sport has been the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers have won 14 NBA titles and 28 division titles in their storied history. They are the New York Yankees of professional basketball.