Basketball Player Positions

The positions in Basketball are divided into five categories- Point Guard(PG), Shooting Guard (SG), Small Forward (SF), Power Forward (PF) and Center (C).

1) Point Guard (PG)

The Point Guard is the best ball-handler in the team. He is the one who executes plays on the court and finds the open shots for the other players in the squad. He is usually a great three-point shooter and good with an eye to studying the basketball court.

Generally, he is the shortest player in the team and the leader on the court.

Few Popular Point Guards: Magic Johnson, Chris Paul, Stephen Curry etc.

2) Shooting Guard (SG)

The PG approaches the basket from the straight upfront and has two wings on his either side. Small Forward is one of the positions on the Wings.

Generally, an SF is the best shooter in the team, and plays are executed to find him open spots. Great SFs are exceptional ball handlers also and can take over the role of a point guard as well if needed.

Few Popular Shooting Guards- Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, James Harden, etc.

3) Small Forward (SF)

The Small Forward takes the other position on the wings. An SF is the most flexible position in the NBA as he can take charge of the wings as well as take up the role of a Power Forward. He is also a good ball handler and can take up the role of a PG also if needed. When an SF takes up the responsibility of a points guard, he is called a Point Forward.

SFs are usually robust, tall, and versatile. They can post-up and shoot fadeaway jumpers from the field.

Few Popular Small Forwards- Scottie Pippen, Larry Bird, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, etc.

4) Power Forward (PF)

As the name suggests, PFs are strong and tall. They play in the post area, and score points mainly in the paint.

Nowadays, as the competitiveness is increasing, PFs also have good three points shot. They shoot well from the mid-range and have a significant defensive role in the team. They guard the Bigs of the opposite side, and all the box outs and the rebounds are their responsibility.

Few Popular Power Forwards- Tim Duncan, Karl Malone, Dennis Rodman, Kevin Love, etc.

5) Center (C)

A player at the Center position is the tallest and strongest player on the team. He is usually not the best ball handler or the best shooter in the team but has more significant roles.

He usually scores off the pick and roles or small cuts to the basket. A Center must have a high basketball IQ just like the PG to make proper movements on the court resulting in great passes.

Center provides screens to the other players on and off the ball, to create open spots for shooting or driving-in towards the hoop.

Defensively, he guards the Center of the opposite team and grab rebounds by boxing him out. They are usually great shot blockers and do not let the guards finish easily at the rim.

Few Popular Centers- Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Shaquille O'Neal, Joel Embiid, etc.