In which situation is the ball NOT considered out of bounds?

The situation where the ball is not considered out of bounds is when it touches the side of a rectangular backboard. In basketball, the backboard is an integral part of the playing area, and any ball that makes contact with the backboard, including its sides, remains in play. This is distinct from other scenarios where contact with certain objects or areas outside the boundary lines would result in the ball being out of bounds.

This understanding is essential because the side of the backboard is designed to be part of the court's playable area, allowing for more dynamic gameplay and opportunities for rebounds and shots off the backboard. In contrast, balls that touch boundary line objects, ceiling, or overhead equipment do not maintain the same status and are ruled out of bounds as they indicate the ball has crossed the limits of the court.