The History of Basketball

By: Damaris Harden

The Creator

• A Canadian clergyman name James Naismith• Created on December 21, 1891

13 Original Rules• · The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands. • · The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands,

but never with the fist. • · A player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from

the spot on which he catches it, allowance to be made for a man running at good speed.

• · The ball must be held in or between the hands. The arms or body must not be used for holding it.

• · No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping in any way of an opponent. The first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul; the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made or, if there was evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the game. No substitution shall be allowed.

13 Original Rules Cont.• · A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violations of Rules 3 and 4 and such as

described in Rule 5. • · If either side make three consecutive fouls it shall count as a goal for the opponents

(consecutive means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul). • · Goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the ground into the

basket and stays there, providing those defending the goal do not touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the edge and the opponents move the basket, it shall count as a goal.

• · When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the first person touching it. In case of dispute the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The thrower-in is allowed five seconds. If he holds it longer, it shall go to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on them.

• · The umpire shall be judge of the men and shall note the fouls and notify the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have the power to disqualify men according to Rule 5.

13 Original Rules Cont.

• · 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. He shall decide when a goal has been made and keep account of the goals with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.

• · The time shall be two 15-minute halves with five minutes' rest between.

• · The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winners.

The First Ball

• The very first ball that was used was a soccer ball until 1840 when an actual “basketball” was invented. The basketball was slightly smaller, about thirty inches in diameter

The Basket

• The first baskets that were used were two peach baskets that were hung from the balcony of the gym

• By 1906, the peach baskets were replaced by metal baskets with holes in the bottom.

• In 1913, a hoop with a net was invented so the basketball could fall freely to the ground

The Backboard

• In 1893, due to the overzealous spectators interfering with the basketball, the backboard was invented. The first backboard was constructed out of wire mesh, and then wood and now it is made out of glass so the backboard does not interfere with the viewing of the game

Players Allowed

• In 1897, the number of players allowed on the court was reduced to five on each team. A team consisted of a center, two forward and two guards. At the beginning, there were allowing six, seven and even eight players on each team.

Harlem Globetrotters

• Basketball became popular because of the Harlem Globetrotters.

• Abe Saperstein created the Harlem Globetrotters in 1927.

• They were an all-Negro team, which toured the world to promote basketball. There was no city too big or too small for the them to play at.

How the NBA was formed.

• In 1946, the Basketball Association of America was formed but it did not go well because it was competing against the National Basketball League. But in 1949, the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League joined together. They changed their name to the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Aspects of the Game that changed

• In the 1930’s, Kenny Sailor invented the jump shot. He realized that he could shoot over taller players if he jumped while he was shooting.

• In the 1930’s, Kenny Sailor invented the jump shot. He realized that he could shoot over taller players if he jumped while he was shooting.

• Also in the 1940’s, Bob Kurland use to block shots, which led to the rule of “goaltending”.

Aspects Cont.

• In 1952 the foul lane was widened and the three-second rule was put into affect so centers could not station themselves in front of the basket all the time.

• In 1954, the twenty-four second shot clock was introduced to eliminating the “stalling technique” used by teams so that they could keep the lead in the game.

• The three-point line was introduced in 1967.

Great Players to Ever Play the Game

• Michael Jordan• Julius Erving aka Dr. J• Larry Bird• Earvin “Magic” Johnson• Kobe Bryant• Lebron James and many more