10 Amazing Facts About Basketball History
Yinzer Crazy Contributor Charlotte Hopkins
1) The first public basketball game was played on March 12, 1891. It all started a year earlier in 1891 with James Naismith a physical education instructor at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was trying to find a way for students to get more exercise during the chilly winter months. He wanted something that provided exercise but less contact as football or rugby so that it would be safer. His creation was named basketball. It was named this because before balls were thrown into nets they were thrown into baskets – peach baskets.
2) Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, practicing with his wife. (see below)
3) Naismith wrote the original basketball rule book and also made the first significant changes to the game. In 1900, he changed the baskets to the string nets that we use today. He also added backboards to keep fans from blocking shots.
4) The first ball used to play basketball was an old soccer ball owned by Naismith. When basketball was introduced, dribbling was not allowed, so this old soccer ball did the job just fine. In 1894, Naismith designed the first basketball that even included laces. When dribbling was added to the game in 1901, the ball was better able to withstand the bouncing. (thumbnail photo!)
5) Naismith founded the University of Kansas basketball program in 1891. He is seated here (center) with their first basketball team.
6) New York Renaissance (New York Rens) was the first professional African American owned basketball team. They were established in Harlem in 1923.
7) Abe Saperstein founded the Savoy Big Five in 1926. The team originated in Chicago, Illinois, and was named after the hall where they played their games – the Savoy Ball Room. He renamed the team the Harlem Globetrotters in 1926 and they played their first game as “the Globetrotters” on January 7, 1927.
8) George Mikan being photographed in 1950. Mikan was the first basketball player to rise to celebrity status. He was considered the pioneer of professional basketball and nicknamed 'Mr. Basketball.'
9) Basketball became an Olympic sport during the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. There were originally 23 teams, but Hungary and Spain withdrew, leaving 21 teams to compete. James Naismith was given the honor of awarding the first medals. The USA brought home the gold medal. Canada won the silver and Mexico won the bronze.
9) Pittsburgh launched its first basketball team, the Pittsburgh Pipers, in 1967.
10) The Pipers were renamed the “Pittsburgh Condors” in 1970. The team was disbanded in 1972.
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