A Short History of Basketball

Basketball is a popular sport and has taken the worlds by storm because of its athletic nature. Everyone can hoop against a wall and practice alone or with a small group of friends.

Basketball was originally invented by Canadian coach named Dr James Naismith. He was asked to create an activity to entertain trainees the YMCA Training College during winter.

Inspiration for the game came from a childhood game called ‘duck on a rock’ which was played by throwing a rock at another rock on top of which was an object.

The first basketball game was played in 1892 played with a soccer ball and two peach baskets suspended from walls of YMCA gym. After ten years, the open ended basket was designed. YMCA in Springfield Massachusetts is the home if basketball and was through it that basketball spread across the US.

In 1929, the ball was redesigned to give it more ounce than a soccer ball. It was also made lighter and bigger. National Basketball Association was formed in 1949 when the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League were merged.

The most famous team in the history of basketball is the one that does not compete, the team called Harlem Globetrotters is a showcase team which entertain spectators with their skills.

College basketball really attracted the most interest in the middle of 20th century and made it possible for pro-basketball to develop into franchise it is today.

Basketball had become very popular after World War II and the FIBA World Championship was created in 1950. It was originally created with 10 national teams grew to 26 in 2009 and is expected to grow further. Argentina won the World Championship and USA finally won the coveted trophy in 2002.

Korfball and Netball are derived from Basketball although the rules are changed in case of male and female or mixed teams.