Abstract: A basketball practice or training apparatus or assembly is provided including a floor mount and a vertical standard extending upwardly therefrom. Elongate arm shot obstructions are provided at the top of the standard and are removably mounted for changing the configuration of the shot obstruction if desired such as for practicing jump shots versus free throws. A guarding mechanism is also provided and is secured to the standard and includes a player-engaging portion in front of the standard and spaced above the floor mount. Preferably, the player-engaging portion is selectively movable transversely of the standard to adjust its position in front of the standard so as to allow an operator to manipulate the guarding mechanism for keeping the player-engaging portion close to the player even if they change their position relative to the standard.