Assist

/əˈsist/
[ uh-sist ]

Definition of Assist

In basketball, an assist is credited to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads to a score.

What is an Assist?

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The term assist in basketball refers to an action in which a player passes the basketball to a teammate in a manner that directly leads to a scoring shot. For the passer to be credited with an assist, the teammate's shot must immediately follow the pass without the teammate dribbling to evade an opponent. Likewise, an assist can't be awarded for a pass to a player who then takes an excessive amount of time or many dribbles before shooting.

Examples of how to use the basketball term Assist

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  1. The point guard's perfect pass led to an easy layup, earning him an assist.
  2. Mary threw a long pass to her teammate, resulting in an impressive assist followed by a slam dunk.
  3. With his knack for seeing open players, John consistently leads his team in assists.

Assist Strategy Tips

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Constantly look for opportunities to pass the ball to an open teammate for an easy shot. Improving your vision and understanding of the game can lead to an increase in your assist statistics.
Basketball Terminology

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What does Assist mean in Basketball?

In basketball, an assist is accredited to a player when they pass the ball to a teammate in a way which leads to a score.

How would you explain Assist in layman's terms?

An assist in basketball is like helping your friend score points. You pass the ball to them in such a way that they are able to immediately shoot and score.

Does a player get an assist if their pass led to free throws?

No, a player does not receive an assist if their pass leads to a foul and subsequent free throws. Assists are only awarded for passes leading to field goals.

Can a self-pass lead to an assist?

No, a self-pass does not count as an assist. A player must pass the ball to a teammate who then scores for it to be considered an assist.

Can a player still get an assist if the receiver of the pass dribbles before shooting?

In general, if the receiver dribbles to evade an opponent or spends an excessive amount of time before shooting, the pass will not be considered an assist.

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