The Inventor of Basketball
25 Interesting Facts About James Naismith
Dr. James Naismith, 1933
The inventor of basketball led a very interesting life. Check out 25
fun facts about James Naismith that I bet you didn't know!
1.
Born in Canada on November 6, 1861
2.
His mother died on his 9th birthday. His father died 3 weeks before
3.
Played the violin
4.
Dropped out of school at age 15
5.
Worked as a lumberjack for several years before going back to school at age 20
6.
Completed high school in 2 years
7.
Presbyterian minister but never had a church
8.
Good rugby and football player
9.
Graduated college Top 10 of his class with degrees in Philosophy & Hebrew
10.
Eventually earned 11 degrees
11.
One of his students, Amos Alonzo Stagg, went on to become one of the greatest football coaches in history
12.
Man who invented basketball is also credited with inventing the first football helmet
13.
Present when first football game and basketball game were played indoors
14.
Only played basketball twice in his life. Once a few weeks after he invented it and then a second time 7 years later at the University of Kansas
15.
James Naismith had 5 children
16.
Doctor of medicine but never really practiced
17.
Inventor of basketball never understood why the simple game he created, with only 13 rules, should require much coaching
18.
His wife, Maude, played in the first women's basketball game at Springfield College
19.
Served as Chapel Director/Athletic Director/Physical Education Department Head at the University of Kansas for a salary of $1,300 per year
20.
His basketball players had to use a ladder to get up and down from the Univ of Kansas basketball court after he had to lower the gym 5 feet into the basement to make the ceiling high enough to play
21.
Cared little about making money and lost 2 houses to foreclosure for not making payments
22.
Became a naturalized American citizen in 1925
23.
Served in the National Guard on the South Texas border
24.
Tossed up the ball for the opening tip-off at the very first Olympic basketball competition at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin
25.
James Naismith died of a stroke at his home on November 28, 1939
Inventor of Basketball
Related Articles
Brief History of Basketball in America - Read more about James Naismith and the history
of the game.
The Rules of Basketball. Boy How They've Changed! - There have been a lot of changes in the game since the
inventor of basketball published his 13 original rules. See the major
rule changes that have had the greatest impact on the way the game is played
today.
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