Is it true that a team must begin a basketball game with five players?

A basketball team must begin a game with five players because the rules of the game, as defined by the NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations), require that a team has a minimum of five players on the court at the start of the game. This ensures that the game can proceed as designed, with both teams having an equal opportunity to compete fairly.

If a team has fewer than five players, they would not be able to meet the standard requirements for gameplay, which could lead to an automatic forfeit or a delay in the game until they are able to field a complete team. Therefore, the necessity of having five players is a fundamental aspect of the game, promoting competition and fairness. Other scenarios, such as tournaments or different levels of play, do not alter this basic rule; rather, they adhere to the same standards set forth by the governing bodies of basketball.