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-In 1891, James Naismith was assigned to create an indoor activity for students at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Mass.
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- By 1894, Smith’s annual spring game between the freshman and the sophomores was attended by more than 1,000 women waving violet and yellow banners.
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-Wooden backboards were added in 1896 to prevent fans in the balcony from interfering with the ball.
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-The first professional basketball league was formed in 1898; players earned $2.50 for home games, $1.25 for games on the road.
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- By 1900, it was agreed that five members per side was enough on the court at one time.
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-1901 marked a landmark year for the game of basketball as colleges began sponsoring games.
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- In 1902 the New England Basketball League got a huge boost in national exposure when it allowed an African American named Bucky Lew play in a game
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-In the time from 1905-1910 many American activist groups were calling for the government to step in and place restrictions on the sport.
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-In the 1930s, rule changes eliminated the jump ball after each basket. Fans everywhere cheered.
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-Among Allen's star players was Wilt Chamberlain, who became one of professional basketball's first superstars -- one night in 1962, he scored a record 100 points in a game.
