What is a assist in basketball?

In basketball, an assist is a statistic given to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads to a score. The player who makes the pass that directly leads to the score is credited with the assist, even if the recipient of the pass then makes additional moves before scoring.

Assists are an important aspect of the game as they involve teamwork and unselfish play. They are often valued as much as scoring points, as they demonstrate a player's ability to facilitate scoring opportunities for their teammates.

Assists can be recorded in various ways, such as a simple pass to a player who then scores, or more complex plays like a no-look pass or an alley-oop. The player with the most assists in a game, season, or career is often seen as a key playmaker on their team.

Assists are recorded in official basketball statistics and are used to evaluate a player's overall contribution to the team. Players who excel at making assists are often referred to as "floor generals" or "playmakers".