Block (basketball)

In basketball, a block or blocked shot happens when a defensive player legally stops an offensive player's try to score. The defender must not touch the offensive player's hand, or it is called a foul. For the block to be legal, it must happen while the ball is going up or at the highest point of its path. If the ball is going down when it is blocked, it is called goaltending, and the shot counts as a score for the shooter.

Blocked shots are also called by many fun names such as "rejections", "stuffs", or "swats". The NBA began officially counting blocked shots in the 1973–74 season. Tall players, especially centers and power forwards, usually get the most blocks, but even shorter players with good jumping can block shots. An example is Dwyane Wade, who was able to block 100 shots in a single season despite being only 6'4".

Good shot-blockers help their team's defense by making it hard for opponents to score near the basket. They need great timing and good court sense. Sometimes, just the threat of a block can make the opponent miss their shot.

Chase-down block

A chase-down block happens when a player runs after an opponent who has gotten ahead of the defense, like during a fast break, and then blocks their shot attempt. Often, the block sends the ball into the backboard as the opponent tries to make a lay-up. One famous chase-down block was made by Tayshaun Prince of the Detroit Pistons during a game in 2004. Later, during the 2008–09 NBA season, the Cleveland Cavaliers started keeping track of these blocks, with LeBron James making 23 that season. Another well-known chase-down block happened in the 2016 NBA Finals when LeBron James blocked a lay-up attempt by Andre Iguodala in a very important moment of the game.

Shot-blocking records in the NBA

Here are some amazing records for blocking shots in basketball’s big league, the NBA:

• Most blocks in one game: Elmore Smith with 17 blocks.
• Most blocks in one half: Elmore Smith, George T. Johnson, and Manute Bol each with 11 blocks.
• Most blocks per game in a season: Mark Eaton with 5.56 blocks per game.
• Most blocks in a whole career: Hakeem Olajuwon with 3,830 blocks.
• Most blocks per game in a career: Mark Eaton with 3.50 blocks per game.
• Most blocks in an NBA Finals game: Dwight Howard with 9 blocks.
• Most blocks in a non-NBA Finals playoff game: Victor Wembanyama with 12 blocks.

Shot-blocking records in NCAA Division I

Men

Some amazing blockers in men's college basketball include Jarvis Varnado from Mississippi State, who blocked the most shots over his career with 564 from 2006 to 2010. David Robinson from Navy blocked the most shots in a single season with 207 in 1985–86. Shawn James from Northeastern led with the most blocks per game at 6.53 in 2005–06. And the Kentucky team blocked the most shots in a season with 344 in 2011–12.

Women

In women's college basketball, Brittney Griner from Baylor blocked the most shots over her career with 736 from 2009 to 2013. She also blocked the most shots in a single season with 223 in 2009–10 and had the most blocks per game at 6.4 that same season. The Baylor team blocked the most shots in a season with 310 in 2011–12.