Methylphenidate is a stimulant medication used to treat hyperactivity. This drug (under the brand name Ritalin) stimulates dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effectiveness of methylphenidate and placebo on brain electrophysiological activity and basketball free throw. In this research, 20 young semi-professional basketball players (18-25 years old) working in the basketball league of the country participated, who were randomly assigned to Ritalin and placebo groups. This research was conducted as a pre-test and post-test. In the pre-test phase, the electrical activity of their brain waves was recorded by an electroencephalogram device while resting and eyes closed. Then the subjects made 20 free throws according to the basketball rules and their scores were scored based on the IFERD test. In the post-test phase, the Ritalin group was given a dose of 10 mg methylphenidate tablets and the placebo group was given a similar tablet with no effect, and after 60 minutes, the test procedures were performed as in the pre-test session. Pre-test and post-test differences in placebo and methylphenidate groups were significant in brain regions. In different comparisons of the placebo and methylphenidate groups, significant changes were observed in theta, delta and SMR bands in the brain regions. In basketball free throw, a significant difference was observed between the average scores of the pre-test and the post-test of both groups. In basketball free throw, no significant difference was observed between the average post-test scores of the methylphenidate group and the post-test of the placebo group. It seems that placebo and methylphenidate can have significant effects on the brain activity of athletes.