9. Basketball
Basketball (about 400 million people). It was developed in the United States in the late 19th century, and Americans dominated the sport for the first century after its inception. Other countries have also produced world-class talent, such as Lithuania, Argentina, and Australia. Rapid urbanization has contributed to the growing popularity of basketball on a global scale, as it is one of the few sports that can be played in small spaces. National leagues in Greece, Israel, and Japan have now attracted some American basketball players who are past their prime or who are no longer competitive in the NBA. Conversely, many talents from countries such as Germany, France, Spain, and Canada have now made their mark in the NBA, some even winning Most Valuable Player awards.
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