The Origins of Basketball.

The origins of the game of basketball can be traced back to a
gentleman by the name of Dr. James Naismith. In 1861, Naismith
was born in Almonte, Ontario, Canada. During his early school
days, Naismith would play a game called duck on a rock whereby
the child would endeavor to knock the duck off the top of the
rock with a toss of another rock.

Later on, Naismith would go on to McGill University in Montreal
and would later become McGill University’s Athletic Director. He
would subsequently move on to YMCA Training School in
Springfield, Massachusetts and in 1891, the game of basketball
began. 

Given the cold Massachusetts winters, Naismith needed to find a
recreational activity that could be played indoors and he
preferred a sport that would develop skill and one that was not
exclusively relying on strength. The first game was played with
two peach baskets for goals and a soccer ball.

Further to his credit, Naismith became a medical doctor
specializing in sports physiology and a Presbyterian minister.
Naismith was able to see his beloved sport of basketball, gain
acceptance in numerous countries through the YMCA since 1893. As
well, the sport of basketball was brought forth at the Berlin
Olympics in 1936. As we speak, the game of basketball has become
a very popular sport.