Final answer:
The coordinating conjunction in the sentence is 'but' and it connects two independent clauses, showing contrast or opposition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coordinating conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank in a sentence. They join elements that are similar or equal, contributing to the overall coherence and flow of the sentence.
The coordinating conjunction in the sentence is but. It connects two independent clauses, which are 'Basketball players are quick' and 'Basketball players are tricky.' The word 'but' shows contrast or opposition between the two ideas.