pick-and-roll

American  

[pik-uhn-rohl] / ˈpɪk ənˈroʊl /

noun

Basketball.

1. an offensive maneuver in which a player interposes their own body between a teammate with the ball and a defender, then cuts quickly toward the basket for a pass from that teammate.

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Usage

What does pick-and-roll mean? A pick-and-roll is an offensive play in basketball where a teammate screens off a defender and then breaks free so the ball-carrier can pass it to them.

Etymology

Origin of pick-and-roll

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pick-and-roll

Doncic’s wizardry in the pick-and-roll makes him an athletic rim-running center’s dream as the crafty point guard drops passes from every imaginable angle.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2025

Burrell loves running the pick-and-roll after learning to read where Hamby’s going to be and what moves she likes to get to.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2025

Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic ran a pick-and-roll, opening Murray up for a clean look at a three-pointer with 5.6 seconds left.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 15, 2025

Kleber isn’t quite the rim protector or pick-and-roll player that Lively and Gafford are, but offers a solid inside presence.

From Seattle Times ● May 28, 2024

I know y’all think it’s time for the pick-and-roll, but 1 got something else in mind.

From "The Crossover" by Kwame Alexander