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James Naismith Research Paper

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Basketball is a very popular sport around the world. The game is simple, shoot the ball in the basket, and whichever team has the most points at the end of the game wins. It is a great game, and wouldn’t be possible without James Naismith. He had a rough early life, but then worked past it and had success in the rest of his life. He did well in college and invented basketball all by himself. He has an interesting life story. James Naismith was born on November 6, 1861. He was born in Almonte, Canada. Early in his life he lived with his mother and father, both Scottish immigrants. When James was almost nine years old, his father broke out with typhoid fever. James’s parents didn’t want him, his brother Robbie, and sister Annie to catch the …show more content…

He thought of old childhood games, such as duck on a rock. The goal was to throw a stone at the “duck” (rock) and try to knock it over first. Then, he got an idea. At this point, there were only two days left to finish making up this sport, so he didn’t have enough time to come up with new equipment. He needed a goal and a ball. For the goal, he decided to use a peach basket. At that time, he just decided to use a soccer ball to throw in the peach baskets. He set up the peach baskets and explained the rules. Soon, the gym was full of people watching, and playing. Everyone was having a great time. Basketball was invented on December 21, 1891, when James was at the age of thirty. Then, teams started forming around town. Women started playing. Then, it started to become a popular sport throughout America. A few years after, basketball started evolving. The baskets were now made of rope. The backboard was added. One of the first women basketball players was named Maude Sherman. James soon met Maude and they became good friends. Not long after that, they got married on June 20, 1894. They had five children together. “In 1895, James and Maude moved to Denver, Colorado. James then became the director of physical education at the largest YMCA in the country.” (Wycoff

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