History
Has the rim always been 10ft in the air?
Yes, the rim was originally a peach basket hung from the 10ft balconies in a gym.
Why were there so many rules set to prevent physical contact?
There were many rules set to prevent physical contact so there would be few injuries.
Which crowd is the sport of basketball focused on?
Basketball isn’t set for any crowd. It can be played by the big and small, and the young and old which is why it got so popular.
Name an option the player has when they catch the ball.
Pass, Dribble, or Shoot.
Were games always high scoring?
No, games used to be very low scoring. They usually ended with less than 30 points.
What was the limit of players in a basketball game?
In the early years the team size varied from the size of classes and the playing area.
Why was a net added to the rim?
When metal rims replaced peach baskets, it was difficult to tell whether the ball went in the hoop which is why they added nets.
Name one player who helped the popularity of the sport grow.
Magic Johnson, Julius Erving (Dr. J), Larry Bird, or Michael Jordan.
What is the ball usually made of?
The ball is usually made up of leather or composition.
What type of ball from another sport was used for the first couple years of basketball?
A soccer ball was used for the first couple years of basketball.
What year was basketball invented?
The first game of basketball was in 1891.
Why was the sport outlawed for a few years?
Basketball was outlawed because with the change in the limit of players, classes of about 50-60 students were unable to play all at once.
When did basketball really become popular?
Around the 1980s/ 30 years after WW2.
There are many markings that affect the play of the game, Name two.
End line, Half Court, Three-Point line, or Free throw line.
How far from the rim is the 3-point line?
The 3-point line is around 20-25 ft from the rim.
What was the first country outside of the United States to play basketball?
The first country outside the United States to play basketball was Canada.
What was the name of the original rule-making committee for Basketball?
The Original name of the committee was the Joint Rules Committee and was later changed to the NBC (National Basketball Committee).
How did Basketball start getting popular internationally?
Basketball started getting more popular when it began being shown on TV.
What is the backboard?
The backboard is the rectangle/ square behind the rim. It is usually made from a transparent material. Most outdoor courts will have a plastic or wooden backboard.
What State did basketball begin in?
Basketball originated in Springfield, Massachusetts.
What year was the team size set at 5?
In 1895 the number of players on the court was set to 5 per team and has stayed the same ever since.
What was strange about the use of rules during the early life of the sport?
Something strange about the use of rules is that many rules were the opposite of the way other sports were played.
Why did basketball get so popular?
Basketball began getting popular due to its uniqueness.
What’s the height of the rim?
10ft, although for elementary schoolers it may be lowered to 8ft.
Who invented/Evolved the jumpshot?
Hank Luisetti invented the jump shot in the 1930s, in the 1950s and 60s Jerry West and Rick Mount helped create a new shooting style and showed off the effectiveness of this style.