What is an assist in basketball?

An assist in basketball is defined as a pass that directly leads to a score. This means that when a player makes a pass to a teammate, and that teammate successfully scores as a result of the pass, the passer is credited with an assist. This statistic is important because it highlights teamwork and the ability to create scoring opportunities for others, reflecting a player's playmaking abilities. An assist showcases the process of setting up a scoring play rather than the score itself, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the game.