On this day in 1891, the first basketball game was played in Springfield, Massachusetts. James Naismith is credited as the father of modern basketball when he invented the game of “basket ball” for a YMCA indoor sports class. Naismith wrote the original 13 rules of basket ball in 1892, his original 66-page manuscript was alter published by the University of Kansas. Naismith is credited with brining the game of basketball to the University of Kansas in 1898 and the game was later added to the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis. The game of basketball has evolved since Naismith first introduced and coached the sport; the original rules made no provisions for dribbling or dunking. Recent innovations include the three-point field goal, shot clock, and rules against goal tending. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Naismith Awards, the Naismith College Player of the Year, the Naismith College Coach of the Year, and the Naismith Prep Player of the Year, are all named in his honor.
