Basketball is one of the most common and famous sports in the world. A fasted paced game played indoors between to 5-player teams, the games objective is to score the most points by setting the ball from the rim. The rims are at each end of a rectangular court. Both men and women in countries play one of the most popular sports in the world, the game across the globe.
James Niasmith at the School for Christian Workers developed the game for his gym class. Played with an ordinary soccer ball and peach baskets, the game was played between 2 nine-player teams and 13 rules. Soon more specialized equipment came in. Metal rims replaced the peach baskets with netting underneath. Later people cut the netting so that the ball could go through. The original basketballs were panels of rubber switched together with a small rubber sphere inside. Molded balls started appearing in the 1940's. Naismith's original rules changed greatly. One of the most monitored things in the entire game of baseball is fouling an opponent. The number of fouls and the severity of them, different penalties were added. Senda Abbott first introduced basketball to woman in 1892.
The game quickly grew throughout America and aboard, by the YMCA, military and numerous colleges. In the early 1900's, the game was spread all over the country and colleges and universities formed different leagues and competitions were starting to take place. In 1915, several sports unions and organizations met to establish a single set of rules for all groups to follow. They also had regional conferences and organized games between different leagues. The 1st intercollegiate game was held in Kansas City. The unions disputed over control of the organization the NCAA wining. They set up districts and other formats for their games.
Professional basketball started in 1869 in New Jersey. Disputes between individuals at a YMCA led to a group forming their own team and playing for money. Later in 1898, a group of sports editor founded the NBL of the National Basketball League. Several league followed none lasting long. Different teams were starting and woman basketball was coming popular in high schools and university etc.
Several more leagues were founded in the 1930's with several different teams dominating the world of basketball. The NBA (National Basketball Association) was founded in 1946. Several teams were founded to draw attention away from the NBA all-folding in and all of their teams joining the NBA. In the late 70's, the game started to go under, but was revived with new players and new teams. Woman's basketball also was changing. The woman's game was getting strength throughout the 70's. Several woman's leagues were founded most going under. But the NCAA took up the championship games for women. Recently, basketball interest has skyrocketed enormously. With rise of great players like Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, etc, the game was become an overnight success.
In addition to the NBA, several different leagues exist abroad as well. While the NBA covers Canada and the U.S., the Federation of International Basketball covers the globe. In addition the sport is even played in the Olympics. Overall in just a little over a century the game has taken the world by storm.