What is an assist in basketball?

An assist in basketball is a statistic that is credited to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads directly to a made basket. The player who receives the pass must score the basket without having to dribble after receiving the pass in order for the assisting player to be credited with an assist. Assists are a key indicator of unselfish play and teamwork in basketball, as they show a player's ability to create scoring opportunities for their teammates. Players who excel at passing and setting up their teammates for easy baskets are often highly valued in the game of basketball.