The History Of Basketball

You will be surprised to know that the basketball is a game that started about 115 years ago!

Initially, peach baskets served as the hoops. In due course of time, basketball has grown more than any other game and has evolved into a modern action-packed game.

It was Dr. James Naismith who invented this game in 1981. In the beginning, basketball was just another simple game with only 13 original rules.

However, over all these years, number of changes and modifications were made to the original game. Not only the rules but also the style of play, equipment and the court markings were modified.

Originally, the game of basketball began with only 18 men in a YMCA gymnasium in Springfield, Mass. Today, the same game is now played by more than 300 million people worldwide.

It was under the orders from Dr. Luther Gulick that Dr. James Naismith invented basketball. In those days, Dr. Luther Gulick was the head of Physical Education at the School for Christian Workers.

Dr. Naismith was required to create an indoor game that would provide an "athletic distraction" for a rowdy class during the winter season. He was given only 14 days for this work.

Initially, Naismith tried to bring outdoor games such as soccer and lacrosse indoors. Unfortunately, these games were very cumbersome and his idea did not work out well.

Finally, Naismith recalled a childhood game. This game required the players to use finesse and accuracy to become successful. After a lot of brainstorming, Naismith invented the game of basketball with the 13 original rules.

At the 1936 Olympic games held in Berlin, Naismith was sponsored by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) to witness basketball become an Olympic sport.


By Sumit Bhatnagar


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