Buzzer beater

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In basketball, a buzzer beater is a shot taken just before the game clock of a period expires, when the buzzer sounds and the backboard lights up. The term is normally reserved for baskets that win or tie the game at the last moment. If a player releases the ball "beating" the buzzer, so that it sounds while the ball is in mid-air, the shot still counts if it goes in. Often, a buzzer beating shot will be released from long range (even from beyond half court), making for a spectacular play when it connects.

Officials in the NCAA, NBA, Serie A (Italy), and Euroleague (Final Four series only, effective 2006) are required to use instant replay to assess whether a basket made at the end of a period was in fact released before the game clock expired. Since 2002, the NBA also has mandated duplicate light strips on both the backboard and on the scorer's table for the purpose of identifying the end of period.

Some players are noted for their ability to hit game-winning buzzer beaters, especially during playoff time. Some of the most prolific last-second scorers are Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Jerry West, Reggie Miller and Robert Horry.