James Naismith Biography

Basketball is one of the most popular which is beloved sports that is played today. Michael Jordan, who played for the Washington Wizards and the Chicago Bulls once said, “Just play, have fun, and enjoy the game” (BrainyQuote 2016). Whether playing with friends for fun or by professionals for entertainment or simply watching from home, basketball is very enjoyed all over the world. Beginning with a unique history, basketball has evolved over time from a simple idea into a professional career choice for those with the unique skill set.

James was born on December 23, 1856. He was the son of Washington and Artelia Duke. James's father Washington was a tobacco industrialist and philanthropist that fought in the Civil War and his mother Artelia was a German immigrant. James grew up on a small farm in Durham, North Carolina. During the Civil War, their farm was ravaged by the Union troops and they seized their tobacco barrels and crops.

In the early 20th century, the dominant theme in American sport was the spread and influence of “organized team sport” in American culture. Organized team sport gained attention and importance as early as the late 1800’s with the influence of Luther Halsey Guick. Guick viewed sports as a social tool that sped up an individual’s ability to self-govern and thus he pushed for public funded playgrounds in big cities. Guick also focused on integrating team competition into the school system as much as possible; he was incredibly successful in this endeavour and team competition became an integral part of the education system. One obstacle faced in physical education was the need for an indoor sport that could be played during the winter; this posed multiple obstacles in itself. Developing a game that could be played in a small enclosed area and was not rough, proved to be a challenging feat that was eventually overcome by James Naismith. The development of basketball furthered the integration of organized team sports into American culture.

Thesis: Basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1839. The objective was to throw the basketball into fruit baskets strapped to the railing of the gym balcony. As you can see the game of basketball has changed tons over the years and continues to grow.

Basketball as it is known today invented by Physical Education Instructor Dr. James Naismith in December 1891 in the town of Springfield, Massachusetts. He invented it to condition young athletes during cold months and for it being an less injury prone sport than football. Why is basketball good for either the players or spectators? There are ways to show why basketball is a good sport for either player or spectators, by showing facts and experiences me and the people encountered playing basketball. Basketball is the best sport due to its rules, facts, health and fitness benefits, and people’s experiences.

December 21, 1891- The birth of basketball. It has been changed from simply shooting a soccer ball into a peach basket to dunking a seven pound, leather ball into an iron rim. In the early years of the game, basketball was not as popular as other sports. In the 1985 NBA draft all this would change with the emergence of a 6'6" basketball phenomenon from Wilmington, North Carolina. Although going third in the draft, he recreated the game and is known as the best player to ever touch a basketball; he is Michael Jordan.

James Naismith, creator of basketball, used a soccer ball as the first basketball. The game of soccer was originally played with an inflated animal bladder that was surrounded with leather (Leibs 67). Just as in every sport, as time evolves, so do the materials being played with. The materials begin becoming more durable, controllable, and affordable. During the Renaissance period, many sports were evolved and took a turn for the better. Although many sports were introduced during the Renaissance period; football, lawn bowling, and tennis were the three main sports that influenced today’s time period the most.

In 1891, Dr. James Naismith was teaching at a local YMCA when he came up with a game that could be played inside during the Winter (Laughead). The game that Naismith created would later be known worldwide as “basketball.” This game has greatly influenced the sports industry with fans, players, and professional teams all over the world. Basketball took a long time to develop into what it is today, but it is now one of the world’s most popular sports. Who was James Naismith and what all did he accomplish in his lifetime?

Basketball started in 1891. It has now grown into one of the most popular sports in history. Basketball was invented in December 1891 by Canadian James W. Naismith. An instructor at the YMCA Training School in Massachusetts, he sought a suitable indoor game to keep his students fit and warm during the cold New England winters. With wire mesh backboards. He formulated 13 rules, most of which still apply today. In 1893, the first women’s game was played at the Smith College, in Northampton, Massachusetts, USA. And soon to spread all over the world.

When James Edward Oglethorpe was born on December 22, 1696 in Surrey, England. His dad wealthy and James dad could afford him a good education for him. James father and mom sent him off to school where he was taught math, science,and algebra. At the age of six his father passed away from a certain disease and lived with other relatives till he

An inventor was born on November 6, 1861. Where the man was born was a Ramsay township, near Almonte, Ontario, Canada. The man's name was James A. Naismith. His parents were Margaret and John Smith. James was orphaned at an early life. He was brought up by his aunt and uncle and went Bennies Corners near Almonte. James later on graduated from the Almonte High School in Ontario in 1883. After graduating, James attended McGill University, Montreal. Since James had a great athletic ability, he was made to participate canadian football, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, etc. He was also a great gymnast and won many wicksteed medals. He earned a BA in Physical Education and a Diploma at the Presbyterian College, Montreal.

He got to thinking and started combining ideas from other games to make the game of what it is known today as basketball. Naismith invented this game in 1891 (Faurschou).

The game of basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith. Naismith, a P.E. teacher from Canada, invented the game in 1891. At the time James Naismith as working at the YMCA Training School in Massachusetts ("Who Invented"). Wyckoff implies that James was great at teaching summer sports, but when winter came, there was a problem. The men at the college were

William James was born on January 11, 1842 in New York City. His father, Henry James Sr. was a Swednborgian theologian, and one of his brothers was the great novelist Henry James. Throughout his youth, William attended private schools in the United States and Europe. He later attended the Lawrence Scientific School at Harvard University

Sports, a very popular past time today, have been around since ancient times.  Greek Olympic Games featured events from chariot races, javelin throws, to wrestling.  In addition, a game similar to soccer was played in China by the second century BC.  In England, a violent rugby type game was even played to settle feuds between villages.  With the development of the industrial revolution and the creation of the first public schools, sports decreased in violence and were played more recreationally and constructively.  Basketball was invented to help the youth in New England spend their energy in the winter months.  Since the early 1900’s sports have been a key experience in the United States (“History of Sports”).  I have played