The History of

Basketball
Lauren Petersen
Basketball History:
Basketball originated in 1891.
A man names James Naismith created it
when he was asked to come up with a
game to interest troublemaking boys in a
YMCA class.
It was first played in Springfield,
Massachusetts.
James Naismith:
James Naismith was born in 1861.
He died in 1939.
He was a Presbyterian Minister.
He worked at the YMCA to help the young
troubled boys.

Beginning:
When they first started playing basketball
they used peach baskets without bottoms
as hoops.
The original rules for basketball were
drawn up in less than an hour.
The original 10 foot height for the basket
is still regulation.
The first basketball used was a soccer
ball.
Original Rules:
1. The ball can be thrown in any direction with
one or both hands.
2. The ball can be batted in any direction with
one or both hands, but never with the fist.
3. A player cannot run with the ball. The
player must throw it from the spot on
where he catches it.
4. The ball must be held in or between the
hands. The arms or body must not be used
for holding it.
5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking,
or tripping an opponent.
6. A foul is striking the ball with the fist.
Original Rules Continued:
7. If a side makes three consecutive fouls, it counts as a goal for
the opponents.
8. A goal shall be made when the ball is thrown of batted from the
ground into the basket and stays there.
9. When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the
field and played by the first person touching it.
10. The umpire shall be the judge of the men and shall note the
fouls and notify the referee when three consecutive fouls have
be made.
11. The referee shall be the judge of the ball and decide when it is
in play in bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the
time.
12. The time shall be two 15-minute halves with a five-minute rest
between.
13. The side scoring the most goals in that time shall be declared
the winner.
Fun Facts:
Basketball was inducted in the Olympics
in 1936.
Slam dunks became illegal in 1967, but in
1976 the rule was lifted.
March Madness began in 1939.
Womens first game was in 1896.
Used to be two basketball leagues. (NBL)
+ (BAA) = NBA
Fun Facts:
James Naismith was inspired by the game
of Rugby for some of the basketball rules.
First professional basketball league was
formed in 1898.
Players earned $2.50 for home games,
and $1.25 for games on the road.

Forrest Phog Allen:
First great basketball coach.
Played for Naismith at the University of
Kansas
Went on to win 771 games as a coach at
Kansas himself.
Coached Wilt Chamberlain, one of
basketballs first superstars.
Wilt Chamberlain:
One of basketballs first superstars.
In 1962, he scored a record of 100 points
in a game.