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Basketball is a team sport played by two teams of five players on a rectangular court, with each team aiming to shoot a ball into the opposing team's hoop. It has gained popularity over the years, with a fanbase of around 800 million people in 2025. Basketball is the most popular major participatory sport in the US, with 27.1 million people playing at least once in 2021. In high schools, the most popular sport for boys is 11-player football, while for girls, it is outdoor track and field. However, basketball is the third most popular sport for girls, with an increase of 3.5% and 12,896 participants in the 2022-23 school year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of high schoolers participating in sports in 2022-23 | 6 million |
| Percentage increase in participation from 2021-22 | 3.1% |
| Number of boys participating in sports in 2022-23 | 38.8% |
| Number of girls participating in sports in 2022-23 | 30.1% |
| State with the highest overall sports participation rate | Maine |
| State with the lowest overall sports participation rate | Nevada |
| Most popular sport for boys | Football |
| Number of boys participating in football in 2022-23 | 1,028,761 |
| Most popular sport for girls | Track and field |
| Number of girls participating in track and field in 2021-22 | 456,697 |
| Second most popular sport for girls | Volleyball |
| Number of girls participating in volleyball in 2021-22 | N/A |
| Number of girls participating in basketball in 2021-22 | N/A |
| Percentage increase in girls' basketball participation from 2021-22 | 3.5% |
| Number of additional participants in girls' basketball | 12,896 |
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What You'll Learn
Basketball's popularity among high schoolers
Basketball is a popular sport worldwide, with a fan base of around 800 million people. It is particularly popular in the United States, where it has been the favorite major participatory sport for 14 years, according to a 2022 report. In 2021, 27.1 million people aged 6 and older played basketball at least once in the United States, with 8 million playing at least 13 times a year.
Among high school students in the United States, basketball is one of the most popular sports. In the 2022-23 school year, about 6 million high school students participated in school sports, with a slight majority of boys (38.8%) compared to girls (30.1%). While the most recent data does not specify how many of these students played basketball, an earlier survey from the 2021-22 school year indicated that basketball was the third most popular sport among girls, with 43% of high school athletes being girls.
The popularity of basketball in high schools may be influenced by various factors, including the competitive nature of the game, the development of athletic skills, and the sense of community it fosters. Basketball is a team sport that encourages collaboration and camaraderie among players. It also offers a range of playing styles, from casual social games to competitive tournaments, catering to different levels of interest and ability.
In some states, basketball is particularly prominent in high school sports. For example, Indiana, Kansas, and Kentucky are known as "basketball-crazy states," suggesting a strong following and participation rate in the sport among high school students in those regions. The cultural significance of basketball in these areas may contribute to its popularity among youth.
Overall, basketball holds a prominent position in the athletic landscape of American high schools. Its popularity is driven by a combination of factors, including its competitive nature, skill development opportunities, and the sense of community and collaboration it fosters among students.
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How the pandemic affected high school sports
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted high school sports, causing disruptions to training and competitions and affecting the social-emotional well-being of student-athletes. School closures and public health restrictions limited access to sports facilities and in-person activities, resulting in reduced participation rates and modified training routines.
During the pandemic, high school athletes experienced challenges due to indefinite training and competition cancellations, as well as quarantine restrictions. These disruptions led to self-reported decreases in time spent on sports-specific and conditioning activities. Virtual practices and competitions were implemented to mitigate the impact, but the overall participation in high school sports declined. In the 2021-22 school year, there were approximately 161,000 fewer girls and 158,000 fewer boys playing high school sports compared to 2018-19, representing a 4.7% decrease for girls and a 3.5% decrease for boys.
The pandemic's effect on physical activity was more pronounced among high school students, with a large study in Wisconsin finding that nearly 40% of athletes experienced moderate to severe depression during the Spring of 2020, a sevenfold increase from pre-pandemic rates. Surveys also revealed elevated levels of anxiety, dejection, and anger among quarantined athletes and those facing cancelled seasons. These mental health concerns were particularly prominent in female athletes and students from poorer school districts.
While the number of high schoolers participating in sports climbed in the 2022-23 school year, the figures remained below pre-pandemic levels. This increase was driven more by boys, with a 3.5% rise in their participation compared to a 2.4% increase for girls. Overall, the pandemic disrupted the well-established routines of high school athletes, necessitating adaptations to training and competition formats.
The impact of the pandemic on high school sports was widespread, affecting states with strong athletic traditions, such as Texas, Alabama, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, and Kentucky. Interestingly, states like Maine, Iowa, Mississippi, and Wyoming had higher participation rates, while Nevada, Florida, and other states had lower rates.
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Girls' participation in high school sports
In the 1971-72 school year, approximately 224,000 girls participated in high school sports in the US. This number experienced a megaton explosion, with a peak of about 2.6 million girls participating in 2017-18, representing a more than doubling of the female athlete population. The growth in girls' participation rates has been so significant that it has pushed overall participation numbers to unprecedented heights.
The 2021-22 school year saw a slight dip in girls' participation in high school sports, with 3.2 million participants, which was still close to the all-time high. The most recent data from the 2022-23 school year shows that 30.1% of girls, or about 3.5 million, participated in high school sports, a 2.4% increase from the previous year. This growth in girls' sports participation is a welcome comeback from the pause caused by the pandemic.
While the specific numbers for girls' basketball were not readily available, it is one of the top 10 sports for girls, along with outdoor track and field, volleyball, soccer, and flag football. Basketball has seen a decrease in participation among girls in the past decade, with a 13.8% drop between 2013-14 and 2022-23. Despite this, basketball remains a popular sport among high school girls, especially in basketball-focused states like Indiana, Kansas, and Kentucky.
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Boys' participation in high school sports
According to the most recent data, boys' participation in high school sports has been on an upward trajectory. In the 2022-23 school year, nearly 6 million students participated in high school sports, an increase of 3.1% from the previous year. Boys accounted for a significant portion of this growth, with a 3.5% increase in their sports participation. This trend is encouraging, especially considering the decline in participation rates during the pandemic.
Football remains the most popular sport among boys, with 1,028,761 participants in the 2022-23 school year. However, it is worth noting that football participation has seen a decline in recent years, with a 6.3% decrease between 2013-14 and 2022-23. Other sports that have witnessed a drop in participation among boys include swimming and diving, with an 18.5% decrease.
On the other hand, wrestling has experienced a significant increase in popularity among boys, with a 10% jump in participation, adding nearly 25,000 participants. This increase in wrestling is a notable shift, and it will be interesting to see if this trend continues in the coming years.
While football is the most popular sport for boys nationally, the landscape varies across different states. For example, in 44 states, 11-player football is the most popular boys' sport. However, states like Maine, which has the highest overall sports participation rate, offer a diverse range of sports, and it is possible that other sports, like basketball, may be more prominent in certain regions.
It is also worth mentioning that basketball is the country's most popular major participatory sport, according to a 2022 survey. Basketball's popularity extends beyond high school, with 27.1 million people aged 6 and older playing at least once in 2021. The sport's accessibility and competitive nature have contributed to its widespread appeal.
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$19.14
Most popular high school sports by state
Sports are an integral part of the high school experience in the US, with nearly 6 million students participating in the 2022-23 school year. While the number of participants dropped during the pandemic, the latest data shows a 3.1% increase in participation from 2021-22.
The most popular sports vary by state, influenced by regional interests and traditions. Here's a look at some of the most popular high school sports by state:
Football-Crazy States
States like Texas, Alabama, and Ohio have a strong affinity for football, which is the most popular boys' sport in 44 states. In the 2021-22 school year, 11-player football had 973,792 participants, making it the sport with the most participants for boys nationally. Football sees high participation rates across the country, with over 1 million boys playing in the 2018-19 school year.
Basketball-Loving States
Indiana, Kansas, and Kentucky are known for their love of basketball, which is one of the most popular youth sports in America. In the 2018-19 school year, basketball had 540,769 participants, making it the most popular sport in two states for boys. Basketball is also one of the most popular sports for girls, along with volleyball, soccer, softball, track & field, tennis, swimming, and lacrosse.
Beach States
In beach states like California and Florida, surfing and volleyball are popular. California and Hawaii were the first states to offer surfing as an official school sport, while volleyball is the most popular sport for girls in 24 states.
Other Notable States
Minnesota is known for its following of ice hockey, while Maryland has a strong lacrosse community. Rodeo teams are present in schools in Arkansas, California, and Ohio, and bass fishing teams can be found in several states, including Arkansas and Illinois.
While the above-mentioned states are known for specific sports, the data shows that participation rates and preferences can vary widely, with unique sports offerings in different regions.
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Frequently asked questions
Basketball is the most popular major participatory sport in the US, with 27.1 million people aged 6 and older playing at least once in 2021. However, it is unclear if this popularity extends to high schoolers. In the 2022-23 school year, 6 million high schoolers participated in school sports, with boys' sports seeing a larger increase in participation than girls' sports. While data on the most popular sports among high schoolers is limited, football is the most participated-in sport for boys, and track and field is the most participated-in sport for girls.
In the 2022-23 school year, about 6 million high schoolers participated in school sports in the US, a 3.1% increase from the previous year. This number includes students participating in sports through their schools or communities.
In the 2022-23 school year, Maine had the highest overall high school sports participation rate at 62.1%, with 66.7% of boys and 57.3% of girls participating. Iowa, Mississippi, and Wyoming followed, with participation rates of 58.6%, 56.1%, and 54.5%, respectively.
Children from low-income families are much less likely to play sports than those from high-income families. This disparity may contribute to the variation in sports participation rates among different states.
