What signifies a "jump ball" at the beginning of a basketball game?

A "jump ball" at the beginning of a basketball game is signified by the referee tossing the ball up between two opposing players. This action marks the official start of the game, and it is the mechanism used to determine possession. The two players jump to try to gain control of the ball as it descends from the referee's toss. This tradition is central to basketball, signaling the competitive nature of the game right from the start. The players involved must demonstrate skill and timing, often setting the tone for the rest of the game.

Other elements like starting the game with a whistle, announcing the starting lineup, or introducing opposing teams are important aspects of the game but do not pertain directly to the concept of a jump ball, which specifically refers to the moment when the ball is contested in the air.