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Creation of Basketball
Canadian physical education teacher, James Naismith, created basketball in 1891. He created basketball because he was asked to come up with a game for his students during gym class to occupy them during the winter. Originally, the game was played using a soccer ball and peach baskets that were used for hoops. Naismith developed the game of basketball as well as the original 13 rules. This began what we now know as basketball today, the very beginning of a sport America fangirls hard over. -
First Basketball Game
The first basketball game played was on December 21, 1891. The game consisted of 18 students in Naismith's class. It used only 13 rules, the original 13 created by Naismith, and was played as a crude iteration of the popular game today. This led to the creation of teams, leagues and eventually the NBA. -
First Competitive Leagues Begins
The first known professional basketball game was played in Trenton New Jersey between the Trenton YMCA and the Brooklyn YMCA. The game was played at the Trenton Masonic temple, and an admission fee was charged for admittance into the game. Each player got $15 dollars except Fred Cooper who got $16 dollars, and became the first highest paid player. Trenton defeated Brooklyn 15-1 to win the first ever professional basketball game. Thus began the rise of paying basketball players and the NBA. -
First Professional League
The first professional league was created in 1898 and consisted of six teams. This professional league was named the National Basketball League (NBL) and would be later abandoned in 1904. Important leagues prompted because of the NBL that were created included the Eastern Basketball League, Metropolitan Basketball League, and the American Basketball League. -
Three Second Rule
In 1936 the three second area was created to prevent the offensive players from camping around the basket, and to eliminate the ensuing rough play which commonly took place. The three second area was 6 feet wide. Because of its shape, it became know as the “Key” or “Key Hole”. This contributed to the international ruling of the 'Three Second Rule', utilized in all basketball games today. -
Game Coaching Allowed
In 1949 coaching during game was officially allowed. Prior to this time, believe it or not, no coaching was allowed during the game or even during a timeout. However, coaching was allowed during half time. Game coaching contributed enormously to the success of past and current basketball players in a game, getting extra or much needed advice before important plays... still used today for the team's benefit. -
NBA Formation
The league adopted the name National Basketball Association on August 3, 1949, after merging with its rival National Basketball League (NBL). The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the preeminent men's professional basketball league in North America, and is widely considered to be the premier men's professional basketball league in the world. Because of the NBA, basketball has gained more and more fame worldwide and sparked the international playing of it officially in the NBA. -
Basketball Hall Of Fame Begins
In 1959 a Basketball Hall of Fame was founded in Springfield, Massachusetts. Its rosters include the names of great players, coaches, referees, and people who have contributed significantly to the development of the game. The formation of both the National Basketball League, and the Basketball Association of America created a strong attraction nationwide, to Canada and other places around the world. The creation of this led to the competitiveness we see in NBA players today to become inducted. -
First Player as a Brand
Every year since 1985, Nike has released a new version of Air Jordans, and has recently created the Jordan brand, and entire line of apparel sporting the legendary Jordan logo. Jordan is known worldwide, has been a spokesperson for numerous companies and brands, including Hanes, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and Gatorade, and is now the first former player to become the majority owner of an NBA team. This begins the extreme idolizing of players, first of many to follow. -
Magic Johnson Rule
In 1991, Johnson held a press conference to announce that he had contracted HIV. Since then, the NBA and NCAA have had in place a rule to protect players from infectious diseases: any player with an open wound, or with blood on his uniform or his body, must be removed from the game until his wound is closed or his uniform and body are cleaned of the blood. This caused extreme controversy and a reconsideration of all basketball rules and if they seemed appropriate or ridiculous.
