The Evolution of Basketball

by Evan Moore

Basketball is first invented

• In 1891, a P.E teacher at McGill University in Ontario, Canada named James Naismith invented Basketball.

•  At Sprigfield College in Massacusetts, James Naismith's former instructor, Luther Halsey Gulick invented the indoor sport of basketball.

•  Since then, basketball has evolved into a much bigger sport that allowes men and women to play, people of all ages, as well as any race.

• It wasnt always like this though.

James Naismith

 

The Ball and the Court

• In Naismith's original 13 rules, basketball was played with a soccer ball in an indoor soccer court.

• The goal was a peach basket.•  Iron hoops and  hammock style baskets were intorduced in

1893 and then finally the open net idea was introduced in the 1900's which stopped players from having to retrieve the ball manually.

• A man named G. L. Peirce got a patent for his invention of the basketball.

• Tory hinkle invented the orange basketball that is still in use today.

• The court is 50 feet by 94 feet. 

The Originals

 

The Rules

• Some of James Naismiths original 13 rules are still in use today but most of them have been changed.

• originally you could have nine people onthe court but now you can have ten.

•  Also, back then, you had to hit the ball with your hands and you had to throw the ball from where you were standing. Now you are able to dribble the ball and you can pass after you get finished dribbling.

•  Players were only allowed two fouls but now they are allowed five in college and six in professional.

• Shot clock was invented.

Traveling!

 

Women's Basketball

• Today, Baketball is probably the most popular women's sport.

•  The first woman to promote women's basketball was named Senda Berenson.

•  Women used to have to play in floor length dresses until a woman named Clara Gregory Baer wo thought that women shoould play in their bloomers, which they did.

•  The first NCAA womens basketball championship game was played in 1980.

•  In 1996 the WNBA was formed and by the year 200 it had 16 teams.

 

Lisa Leslie and Diana Taurasi: Two of the greatest 

 

Uniforms

• When Basketball was first invented, the shirts were small and so were the shorts.

•  Headbands and knee high socks were very popular but now in basketball they are prohibited and socks are rarely ever seen since the new low cut style came out.

•  Converse is the first brand of basketball shoes. Players would often slip and fall since the shoes had poor quality.

•  Team Logos would often change so jersey manufactures could make more money.

•  Now, in the NBA shorts hang very low and jerseys are more loose so yo uhave room to move your arms.

Old School VS. New School

 

Segregation and Basketball

• At first, black players were not allowed to play basketball until a man named Edwin B. Henderson subbed for another player.

•  After that, many black players played college basketball.• Quite a few years later, the commisioner of the NBA let

blacks play, but the first year they could, only two were signed in the whole league- Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.

•  Chamberlain never experienced prejuduce until attending Kansas University.

•  Tubby Smith becomes the first African American to coach a college level team.

 

Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell

 

Interesting Facts

• Wilt Chmaberlain set the record for most points scored in one game with one hundred points!

•  James Naismith often called the janitor to get the ball evrytime a point was scored!

•  In 1946, a player named Chuck Connors dunked the ball so hard that the whole goal shattered. This has also been done by Shaquille O'Neal. 

The End!