The research on the status quo and motivation of students participating in basketball in Suzhou University by using the methods of documentary, questionnaire, mathematical statistics and interview. shows that the motivation of boys to participate in basketball sport is stronger than the motivation of girls; the motivation often playing basketball is stronger than occasionally playing basketball for students to participate in basketball; different sports can stimulate the students' more powerful sports participation motivation. Suggest promoting the campus basketball sports through leading junior students to form the right sports participation motivation and strengthening higher grade students’sports participation motivation.