SKIP TO CONTENT

point guard

/pɔɪnt ɡɑrd/
IPA guide

Other forms: point guards

On a basketball team, the point guard is the player who leads the offense, moving the ball up the court toward the opposing team's defense. Magic Johnson was one of the best point guards in NBA history.

If you're an American football fan, you might think of the point guard as a basketball team's quarterback. She's also the player who handles the ball the most, dribbling it toward the basket and making it possible for her team to score points. Many point guards have great jump shots, but it's even more important for them to evaluate their opponent's defensive strategies and pass the ball to teammates who have a clear shot.

Definitions of point guard
  1. noun
    a backcourt player who coordinates a basketball team’s offense
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘point guard'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family