Who Invented Basketball

Almost every basketball fan knows who invented basketball but if you're not one of them then please read on.

Originally basketball was called Basket Ball. It was invented in 1891 by a Canadian, Dr. James Naismith who was a teacher at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. It is reported that the game of basketball came about as the result of a challenge from a teacher to his students to "pique the interest of an incorrigible class during the usually dull winter months."

The apathetic class was tired of calisthenics so Naismith's instructor suggested he invent a new indoor sport. Not one to shirk a challenge Naismith rounded up two peach baskets only because the janitor didn't have any boxes around, and a soccer ball. His next step was to develop rules for the new game. He developed 13 of them. Naismith then decided to divide his class of 18 into 2 teams of 9 players each and attempted to teach them the basics of Basket Ball.

The simple object of the game was to throw (no shooting back then) the soccer ball into the peach baskets which were nailed to the lower railing of the gym balcony. Each time a point was scored the game had to be stopped in order for the janitor to lug out a ladder and retrieve the ball. Naturally, that didn't happen too often -- the score of the very first basketball game ever played was an amazingly low 1-0.

A lot has happened since the introduction of the game and basketball has undergone many changes and milestones, both in equipment and rules.

One of the great recent tributes to the late Dr. Naismith is called the Basketball Man Movie.

It is basically a blog page of the official website of the documentary of the life and times of the man who invented basketball. It is very interesting reading.

What a great game basketball is. All those who have ever picked up a ball will know the magic lure of Hoops.

We hope this provides you with a brief but useful insight into who invented basketball and a new love for the best game ever invented! Thank you Dr. Naismith.

Hoop Hype is Contagious-Don't Forget your Shot!