James Naismith was a Canadian-American physical educator, Sports innovator, Military chaplain, Physician, and Sports coach. He is known as the inventor of the basketball. He taught physical education at McGill University Canada and Springfield College Massachusetts United States. James Naismith lived to see the basketball included in the Summer Olympics. He conceived the idea of basketball in 1891.

Early life

He was born to John Naismith and Margaret Young on 6^th November 1861 in Almonte, Canada. James had three sisters and one brother.  After the death of his parents in 1870, he and his siblings were raised by Peter Johnston Young, brother of John Naismith. James was about 5 feet 10^1/2 inches tall.

James Naismith Education

James was admitted to Almonte’s high school. He was a bright student who excelled in sports. After finishing high school he got enrolled in Montreal’s McGill College in 1882 earning a scholarship to the college.

He graduated from the college in 1887 in Physical education. He also studied mental and moral philosophy that are important to a sportsperson. He was excellent at playing rugby, soccer, and many other sports.

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Professional Life Of James Naismith

He wanted to bring positivity to the lives of the people through sports. He joined McGill University as a physical education teacher in 1887 and remained in the same capacity until 1888. In 1889, he became director of the McGill’s gymnasium.

Moving To The United States

James moved to the United States in 1890 to join the International Young Men’s Christian Association Training School Springfield as a Physical Instructor. YMCA later on became Springfield College.

Inventive Mind Of James Naismith

Springfield brought the best out of James. In 1891, he developed the first football headgear to protect his battered ears. Some authorities give him the credit of introducing the forward pass but there is not much evidence in favor of James Naismith.

James Naismith’s Invention Of Basketball

In 1891, as an instructor at the YCMA Springfield, he was given a task by the head of the Physical education department Mr. Luther Halsey Gulick. The task was to develop a new game for a rowdy class at the college in winter. The game would be a distraction for the class.

While studying different games he pondered over his childhood game “Duck on the Rock”. The players would knock a duck off a large stone by throwing rocks at it.

The game required accuracy rather than force to basket the ball in an elevated horizontal goal. Thus, his childhood game gave a blueprint for the new indoor game to be played on indoor wooden floor. He named the new game ‘basketball’.

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First Game In Basketball History

On 21^st December 1891, the first ever basketball game was played in the gymnasium of Springfield, Massachusetts. A total of 18 players took part in the game including 5 Canadians. James also played.

Description Of First Game In Basketball History

James Naismith described the first game of basketball as contrary to modern-day basketball games. The game was played on a wooden court. Instead of hoops, two baskets were used at both ends. Each side consisted of nine players.

13 Rules Of Basketball

James Naismith wrote the rules of basketball as he thought the game was played roughly. On 15^th January 1892, James Naismith announced basketball rules in Springfield’s college newspaper.

Marriage Of James Naismith

James married Maude Sherman in Springfield on 20^th June 1894. Sherman was also a basketball player. Afterward, the couple moved to Denver, Colorado. The couple had five children.

His first wife died in 1937.  He married for the second time with Florence Kincaid on 11^th June 1939.

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James Naismith’s Career At the University Of Kansas

He was hired as physical education director at the YMCA in 1894. YMCA students took basketball to their areas. Basketball was introduced to new regions in North America.

In 1898 he acquired an M.D degree and was appointed Associate Professor of Physical Culture at the University Of Kansas. In the same year, he founded Kansa’s men’s basketball program. He remained head coach of the team until 1907. He retired from the University in 1937.

As Army Chaplain

He was the chaplain of the First Kansas Infantry in the Kansas Army National Guard in 1916. In the infantry, he arranged different sports events and held religious services along with psychological counseling of soldiers.

James Naismith As Basketball Coach

In 1898 he became the first basketball coach of basketball team at the University of Kansas. He remained coach of the University team until 1908. His coaching record at Kansas was 55-60.

Outspread Of Basketball

Basketball became contagious and soon spread in all gymnasiums of YMCA in the eastern United States. The first intercollegiate tournament was played in 1895. Afterwards, the first professional league, the National Basketball League (NBL) was formed in 1898 and became the National Basketball Association in 1949.

Who Were The Members of the World’s First Basketball Team

Members of the first basketball team included F.G Macdonald, W.H. Davis, L.W. Archibald, Frank Mahan, James Naismith, J.G. Thompson, E.S. Libby, E.P. Ruggles, W.R. Chase, T.D. Patton.

When Basketball Was Included In Olympics

Basketball featured in the 1936 Olympic Games. While Women’s basketball was included in the 1976 Olympic Games.

He participated in the medal distribution ceremony, and handed out Gold medals to the winning team, United States, in the 1936 Olympic Games.

When James Naismith Died

He died on 28^th November 1939 after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He was 78 years old at the time of his death.

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 James Naismith’s Legacy

• James Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is named after James. He was also the first inductee into the Hall of Fame in 1959.
• The FIBA Basketball World Cup trophy has also been named after James Naismith and is called the “James Naismith Trophy”.
• James was voted to become a Life Member of Physical Education Instructor of America in 1941.
• Every year a 3 on 3 Open tournament is arranged in James’ home town Almonte, Ontario Canada to honor him.
• In 1991 postage stamps were issued by Canada Post to commemorate the centennial of basketball.
• James Naismith was inducted into the FIBA Hall Of Fame in 2007.
• In 2009 again, postal stamps were issued to honor the basketball inventor.
• James was inducted into Toronto’s Walk Of Fame in 2019.
• Google celebrated James Naismith on 15^th January 2021 through a Google Doodle in 18 countries.

Some Interesting Facts About James Naismith

• James Naismith never pastored a church although he was a Presbyterian Minister.
• His friends wanted to name the new game ‘Naismith Ball’ but he named it Basketball.
• The original basketball rules written by James Naismith were sold in an auction for $4.34 million.
• His wife played in the first-ever women’s basketball game in Springfield.
• He has the worst track record as a coach at the University Of Kansas.
• James’ student, Amos Alonzo Stagg, is one of the greatest basketball coaches.
• He has been inducted into Eight Halls of Fame.
• James Naismith Scored the first touchdown in an indoor football game.
• He was never interested in self-promotion.

James Naismith Auction

Handwritten rules by James Naismith were put on auction on 10^th December 2010 by Naismith International Basketball Foundation. The auction yielded $3.4 million. David Booth, an American businessman, purchased the documents.

The documents are displayed at the University of Kansas. Money from the auction went to the Naismith International Basketball Foundation.

Publications

Three books have been written by James Naismith. In 1911 his first book “A Modern College” was published. His second book “The Essence of a Healthy Life” was published in 1918.

His third book “Basketball, Its Origin and Development” was published posthumously in 1941.

James Naismith’s invention of basketball transcends borders and cultures. His legacy is evident in evident from honours and accolades bestowed upon him. His invention has produced countless athletes having a positive impact on the lives of millions of people and making the world a peaceful place to live.