Question: What sport was invented by James Naismith in 1891?
Show answer
Basketball.
The sport invented by James Naismith in 1891 is basketball. Dr. Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor, conceived the game to keep his students active during the winter months while indoors at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts.
With the intent of creating a game that required skill instead of sheer strength or force, Naismith wrote down 13 basic rules and hung a peach basket at each end of the gymnasium. The objective was simple: to throw the soccer ball, which they used initially, into the opposing team’s peach basket. The game quickly proved popular, with students enthusiastically passing and dribbling the ball to score points.
Although rudimentary, Naismith’s new game laid the groundwork for the dynamic, high-scoring sport that basketball would become. The basic premise of two teams trying to throw a ball into the opponent’s goal has remained constant, though the equipment and rules have evolved significantly.
Naismith’s invention has since grown into a global phenomenon. Basketball is now played at various levels, from school leagues to professional franchises like the NBA, and it’s a key part of the Summer Olympic Games. James Naismith’s legacy persists in every jump shot, layup, and three-pointer, making him an influential figure in sports history.
