James A Naismith Biography

(born Nov. 6, 1861, Almonte, Ont., Can.—died Nov. 28, 1939, Lawrence, Kan., U.S.) Canadian-born U.S. physical education instructor, inventor of basketball. He studied theology but excelled in sports. At the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Mass. (1890–95), he was asked to devise a new indoor winter sport. His version of basketball called for nine players (later reduced to five) per team and the use of peach baskets (later netted hoops) as goals. He was coach of the basketball team at the University of Kansas (1898–1937). He is also credited with inventing the protective helmet for gridiron football players. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame was incorporated in Springfield in 1959.

Copyright © 1994-2008 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.