How many players are required to start a high school basketball game?

To start a high school basketball game, a team must have five players on the court. This requirement is consistent with the NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) basketball rules, which stipulate that each team fields five players during gameplay. The number is designed to ensure that the game is played with a standard formation, allowing for competitive play while maintaining the integrity of the sport.

Having fewer than five players could compromise the flow and fairness of the game, as teams would not be able to adequately contest the play effectively. Therefore, the rule requires a minimum of five players to ensure that teams can compete on an even playing field from the opening tip-off.