Section 4: Players & Officials
Team Composition
FIBA teams have a smaller roster than NBA teams:
- Roster: Maximum 12 players eligible per game (NBA allows 13 active + 2 inactive)
- On court: 5 players per team at all times
- Captain: Each team must designate a captain on the scoresheet. The captain is the only player who may address officials about rule interpretations (not judgment calls).
Player Positions
FIBA uses the same five positions as the NBA: point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. International basketball has historically emphasized more team-oriented, motion-based offenses compared to the NBA's isolation-heavy style, though both have converged in recent years.
Substitutions
- Substitutions may be made during any dead ball situation when the game clock is stopped
- The substitute must report to the scorer's table and wait to be beckoned onto the court by an official
- A substitution opportunity begins when the ball becomes dead, the game clock is stopped, and the official has completed any communication to the scorer's table
- There is no limit to the number of substitutions
- A player who commits their 5th personal foul must be substituted within 30 seconds
Game Officials
FIBA uses 2 referees and 1 commissioner for most competitions (NBA uses 3 referees):
- Referee (crew chief): Has final decision authority on all matters not specifically covered by the rules
- Umpire: The second on-court official, sharing floor coverage with the referee
- Commissioner (if appointed): Sits at the scorer's table and oversees the table officials. Has authority to make decisions on matters not falling within the jurisdiction of the referees.
- 3-referee system: FIBA uses 3 referees for top-level competitions (Basketball World Cup, Olympics, EuroLeague) since 2012
Table Officials
- Scorer: Records the running summary of the game, including field goals, free throws, fouls, timeouts, and substitutions
- Assistant scorer: Operates the scoreboard and assists with timing of team possession
- Timer: Operates the game clock
- Shot clock operator: Operates the 24-second shot clock