Basketball

123456789101112131415
Across
  1. 2. (5 letters): Yao Ming was incredibly tall! It was hard for shorter players to shoot over him. When a player smacks an opponent's shot away from the basket, it's called a ______.
  2. 4. (4 letters): Magic Johnson was a master of the no-look ______! He would look one way and send the ball perfectly to a teammate in another direction, surprising the defenders. This action is how you move the ball between teammates.
  3. 6. (7 letters): To move around the court while holding the ball, players have to continuously bounce it. If you stop bouncing and then start again, it's a "double ______!"
  4. 11. (4 letters): Before every game, Michael Jordan would put on his North Carolina shorts under his Chicago Bulls uniform for good luck! This is the name for the group of players who play together for the same side.
  5. 12. (4 letters): When Michael Jordan would soar through the air, sticking his tongue out, he was famous for this high-flying move where you jump and powerfully throw the ball through the hoop. What is it called?
  6. 14. (8 letters): Shaquille O'Neal was so strong! Sometimes, when he'd perform his powerful two-handed shot close to the basket, he would actually break this glass or wooden board the hoop is attached to! (Changed from COURT to BACKBOARD for better fit and anecdote)
  7. 15. (5 letters): Stephen Curry is famous for making shots from really, really far away! If he makes a basket from beyond the big arc on the floor, his team gets this many points. (Changed from SHOOT to THREE for a more specific term and better fit)
Down
  1. 1. (4 letters): Sometimes, when a player is shooting, an opponent might unfairly hit their arm. The referee will call a ______, and the shooter might get free shots.
  2. 3. (5 letters): The person who helps guide the team and often wears a suit on the sidelines is called the ______. Phil Jackson, who coached Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, won many championships!
  3. 5. (5 letters): Lisa Leslie was a superstar in the WNBA and the first woman to dunk in a WNBA game! When a player makes a basket, they add to their team's ______.
  4. 7. (7 letters): When a player gets the ball after someone has missed a shot, it's super important. Dennis Rodman was one of the best ever at grabbing these, sometimes diving into the crowd for them!
  5. 8. (4 letters): This is the orange sphere that everyone is trying to get through the hoop. Spalding is a famous company that makes them.
  6. 9. (6 letters): LeBron James is amazing at finding his teammates for an easy score. When a player passes the ball to someone who then scores a basket right away, they get credit for this helpful play.
  7. 10. (6 letters): Larry Bird was known for his incredible shooting. Before the ball even went in, he'd sometimes turn to his opponents and say "uh oh!" This is the main target you're aiming for in basketball.
  8. 11. (6 letters): When a player takes too many steps without bouncing the ball, like that time when a young player on a viral video just kept running with the ball towards the basket, the referee blows the whistle for this violation.
  9. 13. (4 letters): This is the circular metal rim that the ball goes through to score points. Vince Carter once jumped so high in a contest, he stuck his whole arm through it!