The History of Baksetball
By Dejoir Farley
James Naismith
James Naismith was a Canadian American sports coach who invented basketball in 1891. He was born on November 6, 1861 and died on November 28, 1939. He wrote the original rule book, founded the University of Kansas basketball program, and lived to see basketball adopted as an Olympic demonstration sport in 1904. He developed basketball in Springfield, which is where the basketball Hall of Fame is.
Why was it important?
It is important because of it's popularity in the early 1900s. Basketball’s domestic growth was nearly equaled by its international growth. The Christian missions that brought the game around the world helped make basketball one of the world’s first truly global games.The first international basketball tournament was played between the U.S., France and Italy in Paris in 1919. FIBA, the Fédération Internationale de Basketball, the governing body of the sport internationally, was formed in Geneva, Switzerland. Just four years later, basketball became an Olympic sport, only furthering its worldwide popularity (though its first exposure in the Olympics came even earlier, in a 1904 exibition match.
Why is it still important today?
Basketball is still important today because it has become even more popular than it was in the 1900s. It is especially popular in June because the NBA finals are being played. But that is just in the USA. There are many other leagues in the world, some of the most popular leagues are in Europe and Australia. Basketball is not as popular as other sports as soccer, but it is still growing. Many countries compete in tournaments such as the Olympics. Basketball is making its way to the top.