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Basketball

Team sport with shooting ball through hoop.

Basketball is a popular team sport invented in 1891. Players aim to shoot a ball through the opponent's hoop to score points. The sport involves dribbling, passing, shooting, and defensive maneuvers. The NBA is the most prominent professional league, while international competitions like the FIBA World Cup and Olympic tournaments showcase top national teams.

Related

NBA Kobe Bryant LeBron James Boston Celtics Chicago Bulls Kevin Durant Stephen Curry Philadelphia 76ers Michael Jordan Golden State Warriors

Timeline

Invention of Basketball

Basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith in 1891 as a way to keep his students at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts active during the winter.

Invention of Basketball

Basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor, as an indoor game to keep his students active during the winter months.

Invention of Basketball

Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian, invented basketball while teaching at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. He created the game by nailing two peach baskets to the balcony, about 10 feet off the floor, in the school gym and giving the class a soccer ball to score goals.

Invention of Basketball

James Naismith, a graduate student and physical education instructor at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, invented basketball. He hung up peach baskets at each end of the gymnasium and introduced a set of 13 basic rules for the game. The first basketball game was played that day and it finished with a score of 1-0.

Original 13 Basketball Rules Released

The original 13 basketball rules were released in 1892, laying the foundation for the modern game of basketball.

First Public Basketball Game

The first public basketball game was played in Springfield, Massachusetts on March 11, 1892, marking the beginning of the game's public recognition and popularity.

First College Men's Basketball Game

The first college men's basketball game took place as Vanderbilt beat the Nashville YMCA by a score of 9-6.

First College Women's Basketball Game

The first college women's basketball game was played at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. The freshman class defeated the sophomore class 5-4.

Second College Men's Basketball Game

The second college men's basketball game took place in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania between Geneva College and the New Brighton YMCA. Geneva won 3-0.

First Intercollegiate Basketball Match with Modern Rules

The first recorded game between two college basketball teams took place between Hamline University and Minnesota A&M. This event significantly contributed to the growth of basketball in educational institutions.

Formation of the National Basketball Association (NBA)

The National Basketball Association (NBA) was formed in 1920, laying the foundation for professional basketball in the United States.

Formation of FIBA

FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur) was formed on June 18th, 1932 by sixteen nations to coordinate international basketball tournaments. This marked a significant innovation in the history of basketball, facilitating international competitions among various countries.

Basketball Introduced to Olympics

In 1936, basketball was introduced to the Olympics during the games held in Berlin. The game was played at a fast pace with nine players per team, and the United States of America emerged as the first Olympic champions, playing on an outdoor clay court.

Establishment of National Basketball League (NBL)

In 1937, the first professional basketball league, the National Basketball League (NBL), was established.

NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

The NCAA men's basketball tournament started in 1939 and has become one of the most popular and prestigious college sporting events in the United States.

Formation of NBA

The National Basketball Association (NBA) was founded on June 6, 1946, in New York City. It is the premier professional basketball league in the world.

Founding of the Basketball Association of America (BAA)

The Basketball Association of America (BAA) was established on June 6, 1946. It later merged with the NBL in 1949 to become the National Basketball Association (NBA), the most prestigious basketball organization today.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Birth

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a legendary American basketball player known for his dominance in the 1970s and early '80s as a 7-foot 2-inch tall center, was born in New York, U.S.

Minneapolis Lakers Win 3 Consecutive Championships

The Minneapolis Lakers became the first team to win three consecutive Championships in the NBA by securing victory in the deciding game against Syracuse with a score of 87-80.

Boston Celtics' 8 Straight NBA Titles

During the 60s, the Boston Celtics dominated the game by winning 8 straight NBA titles from 1959 to 1966, showcasing their unparalleled success in the league.

Enshrinement Ceremony

The annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame honors the game’s elite. It is a highly anticipated event in the basketball community.

Wilt Chamberlain scores 78 points and grabs 43 rebounds

Wilt Chamberlain scored 78 points and pulled down 43 rebounds while playing for the Philadelphia Warriors against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 8.

Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points

Wilt Chamberlain scored a staggering 100 points against the New York Knicks on March 2.

Controversial 1972 Olympic Basketball Final

In 1972, the U.S. team's winning streak ended in one of the most controversial matches in history, when the Soviet Union beat them in the gold-medal game by one point.

The ABA-NBA Merger

The ABA-NBA Merger took place on March 25, 1976, leading to the consolidation of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). This significant event reshaped the landscape of professional basketball in the United States.

Magic Johnson's Career

Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, had a legendary career with the Los Angeles Lakers, known for his exceptional passing and leadership skills.

First NBA Three-Point Shot

Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics made the NBA's first three-point shot with 3:48 left in the first quarter in a game against the Houston Rockets at Boston Garden. This historic moment also marked the debut of Boston Celtics' rookie Larry Bird.

Highest Scoring Game in NBA History

The Detroit Pistons defeated the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in the highest scoring game in NBA History. The two clubs combined for 370 total points, as the Pistons won the triple-overtime game in Denver.

Michael Jordan's Rookie of the Year Season

Michael Jordan had a fabulous first season in the pro game, earning the Rookie of the Year award.

Phil Jackson Coaching Career

Phil Jackson began his coaching career in the NBA in 1989 and went on to become one of the most successful coaches in league history. He won a total of 11 NBA championships as a head coach, six with the Chicago Bulls and five with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Magic Johnson's Memoir: My Life

Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, a legendary basketball player, shares his life story in his memoir, providing insights into his career, personal challenges, and success both on and off the court.

US Olympic Basketball Team 'Dream Team' Wins Gold Medal

The US Olympic Basketball Team, known as the 'Dream Team,' participated in the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, comprising NBA stars like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. They won the gold medal, showcasing the global appeal of basketball.

US 'Dream Team' Wins Basketball Gold at Barcelona Olympics

The original US 'Dream Team' led by superstars like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, defeats Croatia 117-85 to win the basketball gold at the Barcelona Olympics.

International Players' Influence on NBA

International players like Dirk Nowitzki, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Yao Ming, and Pau Gasol were among the first to raise the awareness and popularity of basketball internationally, contributing to the global expansion of the NBA.

LeBron James is a prominent basketball player known for his exceptional skills and athleticism.

Upset in 2004 Olympic Basketball

The renewed dominance of the U.S. was interrupted in 2004 when they barely made it to the semifinal, ultimately losing to Argentina, who went on to win the gold medal.

Chris Paul is a highly skilled basketball player known for his exceptional passing and leadership.

Kevin Durant is a well-known basketball player recognized for his scoring ability and versatility.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo is a dominant basketball player known for his exceptional athleticism and versatility.

Stephen Curry's First NBA Championship Win

Stephen Curry achieved his first NBA Championship victory with the Golden State Warriors by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game 6.

Jazz vs Clippers

The Jazz played against the Clippers on June 18, 2021.

End of the Timeline
Basketball

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