A Brief History of Basketball: When and How the Game Was Invented

The Birth of Basketball

James Naismith devised basketball with 13 simple rules. The original game was played with nine players per team and focused on teamwork and strategy. A peach basket served as the goal, and players used a soccer ball to score points.

Interestingly, the original rules did not allow players to run with the ball, and physical contact was strictly prohibited. Over time, the rules were refined to include dribbling, shooting techniques, and structured gameplay.

How Basketball Gained Popularity Worldwide

Basketball’s global appeal can be attributed to organizations like the YMCA and the U.S. Army, which introduced the game to other countries. By the 1890s, basketball was played in India, Japan, China, and Persia.

The first collegiate game between the University of Minnesota A&M and Hamline University in 1895 helped solidify basketball’s presence in the U.S. Professional leagues began forming by 1898, further boosting the sport’s popularity.

Major Milestones in Basketball’s History

The Formation of Professional Leagues

By 1898, professional basketball leagues were established, though some were short-lived. The early 1900s saw teams like the Original Celtics making waves in the sport, and by 1939, the NCAA hosted its first Division I basketball tournament.

The Role of FIBA in International Basketball

The formation of FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball) in 1932 was a turning point for basketball’s global outreach. FIBA’s efforts led to basketball’s inclusion in the Olympics in 1936, where the U.S. National Team won the gold medal.

The Evolution of Basketball Rules

The original 13 rules created by Naismith laid the foundation for basketball. Some notable early rules included:

• Players were not allowed to dribble or run with the ball.
• Goals only counted if the ball stayed in the basket.
• Fouls resulted in penalties, and a player could be disqualified for repeated infractions.

Modern basketball has evolved significantly. Dribbling became a key skill, 5-on-5 gameplay became the standard, and innovations like shot clocks and three-point lines were introduced.

The Original Rules of Basketball

Just a month after inventing basketball, Naismith would publish the rules to his game. The original game is very different from the one that is played today. Even metal hoops, nets, and backboards wouldn’t be included in the rules of the game until 1906. For many years, a soccer ball was even used to play the game.

There were 13 original rules to Naismith’s basketball. Players were allowed to throw the ball in any direction with one or two hands. The ball could be batted in any direction as well. Players could not run with the ball, forced to throw it from the spot they caught it. Naismith made an allowance for someone to come to a stop if they were running at full speed and caught the ball.

Here are the other rules that Naismith included with his game:

• The basketball had to be held between the hands, without the arms or body holding it.
• Players could not strike, push, hold, trip, or shoulder their opponent. If they did, this would be considered a foul. Two fouls would disqualify a player until the next basket was made without substitution. An attempt to injure an opponent would disqualify that player for the whole game.
• Striking at the ball with a fist would be considered a foul.
• A team committing three consecutive fouls would have a goal counted against them.
• A goal was scored only if the ball stayed in the basket. If it bounced out, the goal was not counted.
• Umpires could throw the ball into play if no one knew who had lost it out of bounds. They were also responsible for keeping track of fouls and scoring.
• Each half was 15 minutes. The side with the most points would win the game.

Since 1900, 5-on-5 basketball has become the standard. Players used to be removed permanently from the game if they were substituted, but re-entry was allowed in 1921. Coaching was prohibited within the game until 1949.

The game of basketball has come a long way since its invention, but it still holds onto some of its roots. This is just one reason of many why this game continues to be so popular around the world.

Why Basketball Continues to Thrive

Basketball’s simplicity, fast pace, and global accessibility have made it a favorite sport across cultures. It is played in schools, parks, and professional arenas, uniting fans and players worldwide. The sport’s inclusivity and excitement keep it at the forefront of athletic entertainment. When playing basketball, having the best basketball shoes is essential for comfort, performance, and injury prevention.