Evansville, Ind. (PRWEB) March 15, 2012

As we approach the start of the NCAA (R) Division I tournaments, Americas love of basketball is evident. While as many as 1,900 players will play in the tournaments this year, over 26 million Americans play basketball (according to the SGMAs U.S. Trends in Team Sports research). 15.5 million people play casual/pick-up basketball. According to a Goalrilla study, basketball goals at home are used an average of 13 hours per week. In-ground basketball hoops average 14 hours per week. Portable hoops average 12 hours per week.

4.1 million people play basketball in organized leagues. 5.8 million play on a school or college team. More people play basketball in the U.S. than any sport. Baseball, with the second largest group of U.S. participants, is played by 14.6 million people, just 56% of the total playing basketball.

A quarter of the 26.3 million basketball participants are female. Nearly half are under the age of 18. But, participation does not drop off quickly after high school. A healthy 28% of participants are ages 18 to 34 and 24% are 35 and older. In a study by Goalrilla Basketball Goals, 98% of households with an in-ground basketball goal have an adult in the house that uses it.

Of the 26.3 million Americans playing basketball, only 1,050 men and 850 women will be battling it out in the NCAA Division I tournaments this year. But, when you consider the total number of people in the U.S. that play basketball and the family and friends that support them, its no wonder so many of us are enthralled with the tournaments. Approximately 868 million tuned in to watch the tournaments last year 683 million viewers tuned in to watch some part of the mens games and 185 million watched the womens. 20.1 million viewed the mens championship game alone in 2011.

For more information on basketball participation in the U.S. view Goalrillas infographic: Many Play, but Few are Invited: U.S. Basketball Participation.

About Goalrilla

It began for us in 1991, with basketball hoops that brought out the player’s best game. Today Goalrillas commitment to sports training continues with products that are meant to help the athlete train, to learn, and to enjoy the game the way it is supposed to be played. Every weld, bolt, and piece of steel put in our training products, builds Goalrillas reputation for durable sports training equipment. Goalrilla fulfills the needs of youth, high school, and college sports programs and even brings the game to your backyard. It takes power to train, day in and day out. It takes power to endure the final important minutes of the game. It takes power to finish a winner. That’s why Goalrilla brings you THE POWER TO CHANGE YOUR GAME.

Tags: Goalrilla Basketball Goals, basketball goals, participation, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Division I