History of Basketball in America

By lionsboi81
  • Basketball was Invented

    Basketball was Invented

    Dr James Naismith, an instructor at the School for Christian Workers in Springfield, Massachusetts, invented basketball
  • First basketball game was played

    First basketball game was played

    Students and workers at the School for Christian Workers play the first public game of basket ball.
  • Women's basketball is Invented

    Women's basketball is Invented

    Smith College in Massachusetts becomes the first women's school to play basket ball. Men are not allowed to watch the games.
  • Free throw line adjusted

    Free throw line adjusted

    The free throw line is moved from 20 feet to 15 feet.
  • Field goal changed

    Field goal changed

    The field goal value is changed from three points to two points. The free throw value is changed from three points to one point.
  • First professional game

    First professional game

    The first known professional basketball game is played in Trenton, New Jersey.
  • Four fouls, you're out!

    Four fouls, you're out!

    Players committing a fourth personal foul are not disqualified from the game.
  • Out of bounds

    Out of bounds

    The opponent of the last player to touch the ball before it goes out of bounds in awarded the throw-in.
  • Double header

    Double header

    The first college basketball doubleheader is played at Madison Square Garden in front of over 16,000 fans. New York University defeats Notre Dame 25-18, and Westminster beats St. John's 37-33.
  • In the Olympics!

    In the Olympics!

    Basketball becomes an official Olympic sport. The United States defeats Canada 19-8 for the gold medal. The games were played in Berlin, Germany.
  • One handed shot!?

    One handed shot!?

    Hank Luisetti's (Stanford) one-hand set shot becomes the new rage in shooting. Until this point, players used the classic two-hand shot.
  • First televised game

    First televised game

    The first televised basketball games were played between Pittsburgh and Fordham (57-37) and New York University and Georgetown (50-27) at Madison Square Garden.
  • BAA Created

    BAA Created

    The Basketball Association of America (BAA) is founded. Maurice Podoloff is named the league president.
  • Zone defense

    Zone defense

    The BAA outlaws zone defense.
  • First black to play basketball

    First black to play basketball

    Duquesne University's Charles Cooper becomes the first black man drafted by an NBA team, the Boston Celtics.
  • Widen foul lane

    Widen foul lane

    The NBA widens the foul lane from 6 feet to 12 feet.
  • Shot clock

    Shot clock

    The NBA introduces the 24-second clock. As a result the pace of the game quickens.
  • 100 points!!

    100 points!!

    Wilt Chamberlin scores a NBA record 100 Points in a game vs. New York.
  • Three pointer

    Three pointer

    The NBA adopts a three point line.
  • Never played college ball?

    Never played college ball?

    The Houston Rockets Draft Yao Ming to be the first #1 overall pick to never play College ball in the US.
  • Number of teams

    Number of teams

    The NBA Agrees to Expand to Charlotte once again. bringing the number of teams to 30.

  • WORKS CITED

    "History Of Basketball Time Line. Memorable Events In Basketball History!" History Of Basketball Time Line. Memorable Events In Basketball History! N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.
    "Basketball Timeline." N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2016.
    "History of Basketball." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.