History of Basketball in Timeline
Basketball is a team sport played by two teams of five players each. The objective is to score points by shooting a ball through the opponent's hoop while preventing them from doing the same. Points are earned by making field goals (two or three points depending on the distance) and free throws (one point). The team with the most points at the end of the game wins. Overtime periods are used to break ties.
1901: Colleges Begin Sponsoring Men's Basketball
In 1901, basketball gained traction in the United States as colleges, including the University of Chicago and Yale University, started sponsoring men's basketball games.
1902: A.G. Spalding's Women's Basketball Guide Published
In 1902, Senda Berenson, a key figure in women's basketball, edited and published A.G. Spalding's inaugural Women's Basketball Guide.
February 6, 1904: First Canadian Interuniversity Basketball Game
On February 6, 1904, the first Canadian interuniversity basketball game took place at the YMCA in Kingston, Ontario. McGill University, Naismith's alma mater, triumphed over Queen's University with a score of 9-7 in overtime.
1904: Demonstration Basketball Tournament at the St. Louis Olympics
A demonstration basketball tournament was held at the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis, predating its inclusion as an official sport.
1905: Formation of the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States
Amid growing concerns about football injuries, President Theodore Roosevelt urged colleges to establish a governing body for athletics in 1905. This led to the formation of the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS).
1905: Formation of the National Women's Basketball Committee
The American Physical Education Association established the National Women's Basketball Committee in 1905, signifying a pivotal step in the organized development of women's basketball.
1906: Introduction of Metal Hoops and Backboards
In 1906, basketball saw significant changes to its equipment. The original peach baskets were replaced with metal hoops and backboards. This innovation aimed to improve the game's flow and prevent spectator interference.
1910: IAAUS Becomes the NCAA
In 1910, the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States changed its name to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), marking a significant step in the development of college athletics.
1915: Edmonton Grads Established
The Edmonton Grads, a renowned touring Canadian women's basketball team, was formed in 1915, marking the beginning of their remarkable journey in the sport.
1917: Start of the National Interscholastic Basketball Tournament
The National Interscholastic Basketball Tournament, organized by Amos Alonzo Stagg, was held at the University of Chicago from 1917 to 1930. Initially a Midwest-centric event, it grew to include 29 state champions by 1929, aiming to determine a national high school champion.
1924: Women's Basketball in International Women's Sports Federation
In 1924, the International Women's Sports Federation recognized women's basketball and included it as a competition, furthering its global recognition.
1924: Start of the National Catholic Interscholastic Basketball Tournament
The National Catholic Interscholastic Basketball Tournament, hosted at Loyola University, ran from 1924 to 1941, offering a platform for Catholic high schools to compete for a national championship.
1925: Growth of Women's High School Basketball
By 1925, women's high school basketball gained significant traction, with 37 varsity basketball or state tournaments held across the United States.
1926: First AAU-Backed National Women's Basketball Championship
A landmark event in women's basketball took place in 1926 with the Amateur Athletic Union's backing of the first national women's basketball championship, played under men's rules.
1928: Edmonton Grads' Second Olympic Exhibition Win
The Edmonton Grads continued their winning streak by securing their second consecutive exhibition Olympics tournament victory in 1928.
1929: First Women's AAU All-America Team
In 1929, the first Women's AAU All-America team was selected, recognizing and honoring the top female basketball players in the country.
1929: Start of the National Interscholastic Basketball Tournament for Black High Schools
The National Interscholastic Basketball Tournament for Black High Schools, hosted at Hampton Institute from 1929 to 1942, provided a platform for African American high school athletes to showcase their talents during a time of segregation in sports.
1929: National Interscholastic Basketball Tournament Expands
The National Interscholastic Basketball Tournament, established in 1917, expanded significantly by 1929, featuring 29 state champions. This growth highlighted the tournament's increasing prominence in the landscape of high school basketball.
1930: End of the National Interscholastic Basketball Tournament
The National Interscholastic Basketball Tournament, held from 1917 to 1930, faced its end due to opposition from organizations like the National Federation of State High School Associations. Concerns over recruitment practices and the exclusion of minority and private schools contributed to the tournament's discontinuation.
1932: Formation of FIBA
In 1932, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) was founded by eight nations, initially overseeing amateur basketball.
1932: Edmonton Grads' Third Olympic Exhibition Victory
The Edmonton Grads showcased their dominance once again by winning their third consecutive exhibition Olympics tournament in 1932.
1936: Men's Basketball Debuts at the Berlin Olympics
The 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin witnessed the debut of men's basketball as an official medal sport, with the United States defeating Canada in the final held outdoors.
1936: Edmonton Grads Achieve Fourth Olympic Exhibition Win
The Edmonton Grads achieved an unprecedented feat by securing their fourth consecutive victory at the exhibition Olympics tournament in 1936, solidifying their legacy as a dominant force in women's basketball.
1937: First NAIA Basketball Tournament
The National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball tournament, which evolved into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) tournament, held its inaugural men's national championship in 1937.
1938: Rule Change in Women's National Championship
A significant rule change occurred in the women's national championship in 1938, transitioning from a three-court game to a two-court game with six players on each team, aligning it closer to the men's game.
1938: First National Invitation Tournament (NIT)
The National Invitation Tournament (NIT), the first national championship for NCAA basketball teams, was held in New York in 1938.
1940: Edmonton Grads Cease Operations
After a remarkable run, the Edmonton Grads, a trailblazing women's basketball team, ceased operations in 1940, leaving behind an enduring legacy.
1941: End of the National Catholic Interscholastic Basketball Tournament, Start of the National Invitational Interscholastic Basketball Tournament
1941 marked the conclusion of the National Catholic Interscholastic Basketball Tournament and the commencement of the National Invitational Interscholastic Basketball Tournament, hosted at Tuskegee Institute, broadening opportunities for participation in national-level high school basketball.
1942: End of the National Interscholastic Basketball Tournament for Black High Schools
In 1942, the National Interscholastic Basketball Tournament for Black High Schools, held at Hampton Institute since 1929, came to an end.
November 1, 1946: First BAA Game
On November 1, 1946, the Basketball Association of America (BAA) marked its debut with a game between the Toronto Huskies and the New York Knickerbockers in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This game signified the birth of a league that would eventually evolve into the NBA.
1948: Beginning of College Basketball Gambling Scandals
From 1948 to 1951, college basketball in the US was shaken by a series of gambling scandals, with players from prominent teams implicated in match-fixing and point-shaving schemes. These events tarnished the sport's reputation and led to a decline in support for the NIT.
1949: Formation of the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) was born in 1949 through the merger of the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL), consolidating the sport's professional landscape.
1950: First FIBA World Championship for Men
The inaugural FIBA World Championship for men, now recognized as the FIBA Basketball World Cup, was held in Argentina in 1950.
1951: End of College Basketball Gambling Scandals
The college basketball gambling scandals, which began in 1948, continued until 1951. These scandals significantly impacted the sport's image and contributed to the decline of the NIT in favor of the NCAA tournament.
1954: Start of the National Catholic Invitational Basketball Tournament
The National Catholic Invitational Basketball Tournament, held at various venues from 1954 to 1978, provided another avenue for Catholic high schools to compete on a national stage.
1959: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Founded
In 1959, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame was established in Springfield, Massachusetts, the birthplace of basketball, to honor players, coaches, referees, and contributors who significantly shaped the game.
1964: Final Years of the National Invitational Interscholastic Basketball Tournament at Alabama State College
From 1964 to 1967, Alabama State College hosted the final editions of the National Invitational Interscholastic Basketball Tournament, a tournament that had been impacted by the integration of schools following the Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954.
1967: Emergence of the American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association (ABA), a new professional basketball league, emerged in 1967, challenging the NBA's dominance for a period.
1967: End of the National Invitational Interscholastic Basketball Tournament
The National Invitational Interscholastic Basketball Tournament, held from 1941 to 1967, concluded in 1967, marking the end of a tournament that had adapted and persevered through significant social and educational changes.
1972: Controversial Basketball Final at the Munich Olympics
The 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich witnessed a highly controversial men's basketball final between the United States and the Soviet Union, marred by a disputed ending that was replayed multiple times, ultimately resulting in a Soviet victory.
April 9, 1975: Philippine Basketball Association's First Game
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) marked its inception with its inaugural game on April 9, 1975, at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines.
1976: ABA-NBA Merger
The American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) merged in 1976, ending the rivalry and solidifying the NBA's position as the dominant force in professional basketball.
1976: Women's Basketball Debuts at the Montreal Olympics
Women's basketball made its Olympic debut at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, expanding the global reach and recognition of the sport.
1976: Women's Basketball Becomes an Official Olympic Sport
Women's basketball reached a historic milestone in 1976 when it was officially included in the Olympic Games, providing female athletes with a platform to showcase their skills on the world's biggest sporting stage.
1978: End of the National Catholic Invitational Basketball Tournament
1978 marked the end of the National Catholic Invitational Basketball Tournament, which ran from 1954, concluding an era of national-level competition specifically for Catholic high schools.
1979: NBL Begins in Australia
The National Basketball League (NBL), Australia's premier men's professional basketball league, commenced its inaugural season in 1979.
1981: Women's National Basketball League Founded
The Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) in Australia was established in 1981, marking a significant development in women's basketball.
1989: FIBA Allows NBA Players in Olympics
In 1989, FIBA changed its rules to allow NBA players to participate in the Olympic Games, opening the door for the "Dream Team" era.
1992: The Original Dream Team Dominates Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympics marked the debut of the "Dream Team," a U.S. Olympic basketball team composed of NBA stars, which dominated the competition.
1996: American Basketball League (ABL) Established
The American Basketball League (ABL) emerged as a professional women's basketball league in 1996, aiming to provide opportunities for female athletes but eventually facing challenges from the WNBA.
1997: Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Begins
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) was founded in 1997 with support from the NBA, aiming to establish a premier professional league for women's basketball.
1998: NBL Shifts to Summer Season
In 1998, the NBL made a strategic shift from a winter season to a summer season to avoid clashing with Australia's popular football codes.
2001: Formation of the NBA D-League
In 2001, the NBA established the National Basketball Development League (later known as the NBA D-League and currently the NBA G League) to serve as a developmental platform for players, coaches, and officials.
2004: USA's First Olympic Loss with NBA Players
The 2004 Athens Olympics saw the United States, despite fielding NBA players, suffer their first Olympic loss against Puerto Rico and eventually took home the bronze medal.
2006: Discovery of Naismith's Diaries
In 2006, James Naismith's handwritten diaries were unearthed by his granddaughter. These diaries revealed Naismith's initial anxiety surrounding the invention of basketball and highlighted the influence of the children's game "duck on a rock" on its rules.
June 2007: WNBA Signs Contract Extension with ESPN
In a landmark deal for women's professional sports, the WNBA secured a contract extension with ESPN in June 2007, including rights fees, highlighting the growing recognition and value of women's basketball.
2007: FIBA 3x3 First Tested
The fast-paced and increasingly popular 3x3 basketball format, initially known as FIBA 33, underwent its first official test at the 2007 Asian Indoor Games in Macau.
2008: Redeem Team Reclaims Gold
The "Redeem Team," aiming to restore the United States' dominance in Olympic basketball, won gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
March 12, 2009: David Stern Highlights WNBA's Financial Stability
On March 12, 2009, NBA Commissioner David Stern acknowledged the WNBA's financial stability amidst a challenging economic climate, emphasizing its ability to break even.
2009: First Official FIBA 3x3 Tournaments
The year 2009 marked a significant milestone for 3x3 basketball with the first official tournaments being held at the Asian Youth Games and the Youth Olympics, both hosted in Singapore.
2010: FIBA 3x3 at Youth Olympics
3x3 basketball continued its rise in popularity and recognition by being featured at the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore.
2010: USA Wins FIBA World Championship
The United States continued its winning streak by securing gold at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey, even without players from the 2008 Olympic team.
2011: First FIBA 3x3 Youth World Championships
Rimini, Italy, hosted the inaugural FIBA 3x3 Youth World Championships in 2011, signifying the global expansion and competitive spirit of this dynamic basketball format.
2012: USA Continues Olympic Dominance
The United States maintained its gold medal streak in basketball at the 2012 London Olympics.
2014: USA Victorious at FIBA World Cup
The United States' basketball dominance continued with a gold medal win at the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
2016: 3x3 Basketball Considered for Olympics
3x3 basketball's growth and appeal led to strong considerations for its inclusion as an official Olympic sport, potentially as early as the 2016 Rio Games, although it didn't materialize until later.
2016: High School Basketball Participation Remains High
In the 2016-2017 season, high school basketball in the United States continued to enjoy widespread popularity, with over 980,000 boys and girls participating in interscholastic competitions. This enduring appeal was especially notable in states like Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky, where high school basketball holds deep cultural significance.
2016: USA Secures Consecutive Olympic Gold
The United States extended its Olympic winning streak by clinching the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
2016: End of WNBA's ESPN Contract
The WNBA's contract extension with ESPN, signed in 2007, concluded in 2016, marking the end of a significant era for the league's broadcasting partnership.
2017: BIG3 Basketball League Launched
The BIG3 basketball league, a professional 3x3 league featuring former NBA players, was launched in the summer of 2017, introducing a new level of professional play and excitement to the format.
2019: NBA Standardized Height Measurement
Starting in the 2019-20 NBA season, a standardized system for recording player heights was implemented, requiring players to be measured without shoes for accurate and consistent data.
2023: NBA G League Expands to 31 Teams
As of the 2023-2024 season, the NBA G League, a developmental league affiliated with the NBA, expanded to encompass 31 teams, demonstrating the NBA's commitment to fostering talent.
