Frequently Asked Questions: Tracing The History Of Basketball Back To The Start

Got a few questions about basketball origins? You’re not alone.

Although it might feel like we’ve all been shooting hoops for hundreds of years, this hugely popular American sport is actually not all that old. But the story of basketball origins is a fascinating one.

So it’s time to bounce that ball, jump as high as you can and slam dunk your way into basketball origins. You’re bound to get a whole lot out of it, from those winning facts that just might help you win a pub quiz to a few hints that might make you place smarter basketball bets…

Basketball origins FAQs

When did basketball origins begin?

This is actually relatively easy to pinpoint, simply because it didn’t happen all too long ago. Basketball origins began in the winter of 1891.

Where did basketball start?

Basketball origins have their roots in Springfield, Massachusetts in the US of A.

Who invented basketball?

The man we have to thank for the sport is Dr. James Naismith.

And how did it come about?

So basketball origins started like this. Naismith was a PE teacher facing a conundrum. He had all these students to keep fit and active, but it was too cold to go outside and do their usual sports. So he had to get creative. He devised a sport where his students were split into two teams. Then he put two peach baskets into either end of a sports hall. The aim of the game? Get a soccer ball into your opposing team’s basket as many times as you can. Basket. Ball. get it?

Was basketball an instant hit?

Well it certainly took a while for it to catch on to the wider world. In the subsequent decades from when Naismith invented it, it did spread as a training game among colleges and YMCAs.

And when did the world take note of basketball?

Basketball’s big global break was during the Olympics. But it might surprise you to know that it didn’t appear until the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

When was the National Basketball Association formed?

And the sport’s turn into the world of professionalism really came with the formation of the National Basketball Association, more commonly known as the NBA. That was 10 years after the Olympics, in 1946.

When did the shot clock come about?

Maybe it’s hard to imagine the sport without the shot clock? Limiting the amount of time a player has to make a shot, this simple digital countdown timer adds so much excitement and jeopardy to the game. And it all started in 1954.

And what about the slam dunk contest?

This once a year event is a highlight in so many basketball fan’s diary. The slam dunk contest is such a joy. It takes place during the All-Star Weekend. However, it’s not an NBA invention. It was, in fact, brought in by the ABA in 1976. But when the ABA and NBA merged later that same year, it immediately became a much loved part of the NBA.

Who are the most famous players in basketball origins?

Over more than 100 years, there has been a huge number of notable names taking to the courts. From the early days of George Mikan and Bob Cousy to the 1980s global superstars Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, there are countless basketballers who will live on for their flair on the court. But the real question is, who’ll come next…

Where can I bet on basketball?

Now that you know all about basketball origins, maybe your attention is focused on what’s currently going on. Whether you’re a Celtics fan or a Lakers lover, you’re going to want somewhere to place a few wagers. One of the greatest places to bet online on basketball is bet365, due to their fantastic range of markets, great odds and inspired promotions. And with this bet365 bonus code, you can get the most out of your welcome offer.