If a player is caught double dribbling, what happens next?

When a player is caught double dribbling, the rules of basketball dictate that the opposing team is awarded possession of the ball. This is because double dribbling is considered a violation of the rules. The primary objective of this rule is to maintain the flow of the game and ensure fair play.

In brief, when a player stops dribbling, they must either pass the ball or attempt to shoot; resuming dribbling afterwards constitutes a double dribble. Once the violation is recognized by the officiating crew, play is immediately stopped, and the opposite team is granted possession to restart play. This maintains the integrity of the game by preventing players from exploiting the dribbling mechanics to gain an unfair advantage.

The other options do not align with the appropriate outcomes for this situation—play does not continue as normal, the player does not merely receive a warning, and a technical foul is not applicable in this context. The possession change ensures that the game remains structured and adheres to the established rules.