Basketball Facts For Kids
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, played by millions of kids and adults. It was invented by Dr. James Naismith in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, as an indoor sport for the winter months. Since then, basketball has become a global phenomenon, with professional leagues, high school and college teams, and playgrounds all over the world. Here are some amazing facts about basketball that every kid should know.
1. The first basketball game was played with a soccer ball and peach baskets. The baskets were nailed to the gymnasium walls, and players had to retrieve the ball manually each time a point was scored.
2. The first official basketball game was played on December 21, 1891, between Naismith’s students at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts.
3. The first woman’s basketball game was played at Smith College in 1892, just a year after the invention of the game.
4. The National Basketball Association (NBA) was founded in 1949 and is the premier professional basketball league in North America.
5. The tallest player in NBA history was Sun Mingming, who stood at 7’7″ tall. The shortest player was Muggsy Bogues, who stood at just 5’3″ tall.
6. The most points ever scored by a player in a single NBA game was 100 points, by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962.
7. The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that has been entertaining fans since 1927. They are known for their amazing ball-handling skills, acrobatics, and comedy routines.
8. The youngest player ever drafted into the NBA was Andrew Bynum, who was just 17 years old when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005.
9. The highest scoring college game in history was played on January 13, 2012, when Grinnell College beat Faith Baptist Bible 179-104.
10. Michael Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time. He won 6 NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and was voted MVP of the league 5 times.
Basketball is a fun and exciting sport that kids of all ages can enjoy. By learning some of these fun facts, they can gain a greater appreciation for the game and its history. Whether playing in a school gym, on a playground or watching the pros on TV, basketball is a great way to stay active, healthy and have fun.