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Basketball is invented by Dr. James Naismith, an instructor at a YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts.
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"1892 with nine players, on a court just half the size of a present-day NBA court. "Basket ball", the name suggested by one of Naismith's students."
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The backboard is introduced to prevent fans from interfering with play (baskets were often hung on balconies).
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The first professional league, the National Basketball League, is formed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
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1908 The dribbler is permited to shoot the ball, and the NCAA eliminates the double dribble.
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Players are allowed to re-enter the game.
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The first major professional league, the American Basketball Association is formed. (The ABL is the first league to sign players to exclusive contracts and it's teams are located in many of the major cities in the country)
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The midcourt line is introdued to eliminate stalling.
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The National Basketball League is formed. (The Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings can all trace their heritage beck to the the NBL, and the league featured many future NBA stars such as George Mikan, Jim Pollard, Dolph Schayes, Bob Davies and Red Holzman)
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The Basketball Association of America, a forerunner of the NBA is formed. (Three of the league's orginal 11 franchises are still playing today- the New York Knickerbockers, Boston Celtics and Philadelphia (now Golden State) Warriors)
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The NBA begins racial integration when Earl Loyd, Nat Clifton and Chuck Cooper join the league.
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The NBA introduces the shot clock to curtail stalling tactics.
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The rival American Basketball League begins play and introduces the three-point shot.
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The NBA expands to include the ABA's surviving franchises. (the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets and San Antonio Spurs)
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Professional basketball players are allowed in the Olympics and the "Dream Team" (featuring Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson) is born.
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"Women's basketball started in 1992."