Basketball History
Basketball is one of the most popular and known sports globally. Yet the invention of this
competitive and enjoyable game tells its own tale of how the simple idea of one man could grow into
a worldwide phenomenon with the support and love of many others.
The Invention of Basketball
Modern basketball games are played with hoops instead of baskets. Although basketball is now
a very popular and complicated game, its beginnings were rather humble. In 1891, James Naismith, a
Canadian-American sports teacher invented this simple sport. In New England winters, it was
difficult to manage classes since coldness kept students indoors. To confront the lack of activities,
James was challenged to create a sport that would stimulate athletic interactions. So, James came up
with three key ideas: first, the ball was made soft and big, to prevent injuries; second, to decrease the
amount of violent contacts like those in football, passing was the only way to transfer the ball; third,
the goal was placed out of reach to encourage exercise. With these in mind, he created thirteen basic
rules of basketball and nailed two peach baskets to opposite sides of a gymnasium, around 10 feet off
the floor. The first basketball court was born.
Reception of the New Sport
James Naismith published the thirteen rules of basketball on December 21, 1891. And it was very
different. For example, early basketball did not include dribbling and most fouls were tackling or
carrying the ball. When first introduced, it was received with little enthusiasm, but interest grew
quickly. By 1892, basketball was played by many schools as the 'New Game'. Many proposed to call
the game "Naismith Ball," but James insisted that since they had a ball and a basket, they should call
it basketball. Basketball was introduced to the YMCA in 1893. In 1906, a backboard was added
to the game, along with hoops and nets. The first European match was played in Paris in 1893, while
other people brought the sport to China, Japan and India. During WWI, as U.S soldiers fought
overseas, the game spread, paving a way for easy acceptance of the sport.
The National Basketball Association
In 1946, owners of ice hockey arenas in the U.S and Canada founded the Basketball Association of
America, or NBA. The first game was played at the Maple Leaf Gardens, where the Toronto Huskies
hosted the New York Knickerbockers. Ossie Schectman made the first basket in NBA history. In
1947, Wataru Misaka became the first Asian to play in the NBA. Later, in 1950, Harold Hunter
became the first African American to enter the NBA. The NBA's popularity grew over time. In
1979, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson joined the league, drawing international attention. In 1984,
Michael Jordan, one of the most celebrated player since the league's creation, signed with the
Chicago Bulls. The Dream Team was formed in 1992. In 1995, the Vancouver and Toronto joined the
NBA.
Women's Basketball
Basketball for women began at Smith College in 1892, when Senda Berenson taught the sport to her
students, to promote physical activities. She also divided the court into three areas and created the
positions of guard, center and forward. Women's basketball became an official sport in the Olympic
Games in 1976, which led to a massive increase in popularity. In 1982, the National Collegiate
Athletic Association began sponsoring the sport, an important milestone for women's basketball.
On April 4, 1896, the first intercollegiate game of women's basketball was played when Stanford
and California faced off with teams of nine players. The game ended as a 2 - 1 victory for Stanford.
In 1895, Clara Gregory Baer published the first book of women's basketball rules. Many countries
around the world have since established professional women's basketball leagues, including the
United States, Japan, England and Australia.