Basketball is a team sport that trains us to cooperate and be competent. In 1891, Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian teacher, invented basketball, and the game's popularity continued to grow.
And to the surprise, it is one of the most played sports across the globe after football, where renowned basketball players like LeBron James,
Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and many others have taken the game's fame to global heights. Just like this, there are still many more factors you might not know, which I will share with you here in the blog. To learn more, read more.
Some Interesting Facts About Basketball
Let's delve into some interesting facts about basketball that you might not know.
Basketball Had Only Thirteen Rules.
When we look at the rules and regulations of basketball today, they have developed with changing dynamics in the game. Earlier, there were only thirteen basketball game rules, which were the backbone of the game, but now, it has evolved based on the preferences and flexibility of the people. For example, dribbling was not allowed at first in the basketball game, whereas now it is allowed. Also, there were no three-point lines before, which is made possible now.
Basketball Had Nine Players.
Naismith has divided his class of eighteen players into nine on each side. However, the modern-day basketball game has only five players playing on each side, which was altered later in the game.
The First Basketball Game Ended with a Score of 1-0
Basketball was not so easy in the earlier days, and so was the scoring. The reason could be that the peach buckets were used instead of the basketball hoop, which had no holes. This could be the lowest score ever in basketball history, which could be due to insufficient practice among the players. However, in today's basketball game, there are several drills and basketball exercises for players to enhance their efficiency and accuracy.
Basketball Became an Olympic Sport Only in 1936.
Despite the invention of the basketball game in 1891, the game was officially introduced as one of the Olympic sports only in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Since then, basketball has been a part of the summer games and continues to dominate both men's and women's competitions.
The NBA Was Founded in 1946
The National Basketball Association (NBA), one of the world's professional basketball leagues, was founded in New York City in 1946. However, initially, the NBA (National Basketball Association) was known as the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949 and became the NBA.
Fouls Were Originally Permitted
Earlier, when the game was invented, in the first twenty years of the game, four fouls were permitted. After, in the year 1946, five fouls were allowed. However, this was updated to six by the National Basketball Association, but the FIBA still allows only five players to be sent off.
The First Professional Basketball League Was Formed in 1898
The first professional league for basketball, known as the National Basketball League, was formed in 1898. However, it only lasted for six years because other professional basketball leagues, such as the National Basketball Association (NBA), developed.
- Also Read: Types of Basketball Shots
Hockey Owners Constructed the Early NBA
How surprising it is, right? But this is the fact! The idea was to utilize the night court for basketball as the hockey events were not being held. With that, Walter Brown, the owner of the Boston Garden, started conducting basketball matches, which proved to be a great success, and the game's popularity staggered.
There Is a Basketball Hall in Massachusetts
The basketball hall was constructed in Springfield, Massachusetts, in the memorial of Naismith, who invented the basketball game. The hall was established in the year 1959.
The American Basketball Association Invented the 3-point Shot.
The American Basketball Association, the rival of the National Basketball Association, first introduced the three-point shot. However, after the two leagues merged, there was a discussion about adding it to the rulebook in 1979. Initially, it was difficult for the players and the coaches to practice it, but eventually, they got better.
The First Slam Dunk Was Made in 1944
Several basketball tips and tricks help enhance the player's efficiency, and one such skill is dunking. Dunking is the favourite part of the game for basketball players. However, the first dunk was made in the year 1944, after which dunking was banned in the 1960s for around ten years due to Abdul Jabbar, who was dominating the game with his moves, but soon this dunk was reintroduced in the game with Brett Rainbow winning three straight NBL Slam Dunk titles in the 1990s.
Frequently Asked Questions About Facts About Basketball
Who Invented Basketball?
The basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith, a physical education instructor at the YMCA Training school in Springfield, Massachusetts. The basketball was invented on December 1, 1891.
Is the Basketball Game an Outdoor Game or an Indoor One?
Meanwhile, when we talk about the nature of basketball, it can be played outdoors and indoors. However, basketball is primarily an indoor game that is likely played in a court constructed in a confined space.
What Is the Size of the Court?
The size of the basketball court depends on various factors such as the age of the players, height, and skill level, whether they are beginners, intermediate, or advanced players.
I hope these fascinating facts about basketball games might be interesting and would have surprised you. Overall, when we talk about basketball, it teaches us teamwork, promotes fitness, and also promotes a sense of well-being among the players.
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