What Is Cherry Picking In Basketball? Definition & Meaning

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You are here: Home / All The Lingo / Sports Terms That Begin With ‘C’ / Cherry Picking

cher*ry pick*ing

What Is The Definition Of Cherry Picking In Basketball?

1. This is a term used to describe a player in basketball who hangs back under or near their opponent’s basket, while the rest of the team plays defense. The player who hangs back near the basket is called the “cherry picker.”

Cherry picking is not an illegal strategy, however, it does leave their team at a disadvantage on the defensive end. By cherry picking, their team will only have four players defending five offensive players.

The only advantage that cherry picking presents is that the team is able to stop the offense and gain possession of the ball, they can make a long pass to their teammate near their opponent’s goal for a potential easy basket.

Cherry picking is not popular among teammates and opponents alike, as it shows lack of effort to their teammates and can be considered unsportsmanlike towards opponents.

Examples Of How Cherry Picking Is Used In Commentary

1. Harden’s lack of effort to get back on defense leaves him with a lot of easy baskets due to cherry picking

Sports The Term Is Used

1. Basketball

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