Professional leagues came about in 1989. There were six teams who took part in the National League. Although the league was dissolved in 1904, its legacy went on. Several small championships were organized but did not have the same impact as games played for money. The Eastern Basketball League, American Basketball League and Metropolitan Basketball League were founded in the 1920s and 1930s.
Soon came the rise of American colleges playing basketball. Several Eastern universities played competitions and matches. Soon, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was founded, in 1908.
Finally, the NBA (National Basketball Association of America) was founded in 1949. This became the most important professional league in the world. Following suit, the popularity of basketball grew to the female gender. This spawned the development of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 1997.
Rules/Violations
Basketball has a few, simple rules. It is a relatively easy game to get into.
- There are two teams of give players each
- There are two baskets on either end of court
- A team can score by getting the ball into their opponent’s basket
- Baskets are worth from 1-3 points
- There are two halves in the game
- After the second half, the team with most points wins
- Each team tries to prevent their opponent from scoring by stealing the ball or blocking a shot
- Ball is moved down a court through passing or dribbling
- Length of games are determined by level of competition
- Youth leagues are usually two twenty minute halves
- In a junior high to varsity level, four quarters are played each lasting 8 minutes
Violations:
- 5 personal fouls results in disqualification from game
- Pushing, elbowing, shoving, tripping, and kicking results in fouls
- Taking too many time-outs, using bad language, bad sportsmanship, hanging onto basket, traveling and double dribbling.
- After a foul, one of two things happen: the opposing team gains the ball, or the fouled player shoots free throws
- Time violations include: 3 seconds in the lane, 5 seconds in possession of the ball, 5 seconds on an inbound play and 10 seconds in the backcourt with the basketball.
Equipment
Basketball does not require much equipment to play.
29” circumference basketball, size modifiable
18” cylinder attached to backboard, positioned 10 feet off the ground
Playing surface
A typical gymnasium with markings is suitable for basketball.
Typical court is 74’ long by 42’ wide
The court has markings such as: baseline, center circle, free throw line, midcourt line, sidelines. Here are some explanations of the baselines.
* Baseline - Also called the end line. This line extends across both ends of the court behind the baskets.
* Center Circle - The circular area at midcourt where jump balls take place.
* End Line - Also called the baseline. This line extends across both ends of the court behind the baskets.
* Free Throw Line - The line 15 feet from the backboard and parallel to the end line from which players shoot free-throws. Also called the "foul line".
* Out of Bounds - The area outside of and including the end lines and sidelines.
* Sidelines - The two boundary lines that run the length of the court.
* Ten-Second Line - The half-court line is the ten-second line. When a team is advancing the ball up the court from their defensive end, they have ten seconds to get the ball across the half-court line.
* Three-Point Line - Semi-circle that is 19 feet, 9 inches from the basket at all points.
Player positions
Point Guard: The point guard is usually a shorter, quicker player of the team. Their main purpose is to dribble, pass, do outside shooting, and defend. The point guard is usually the best dribbler and passer on the team. This person playing this position helps create high scoring opportunities for the team. It also has responsibilities in defense.
Shooting Guard: The shooting guard is usually a shorter, quicker player of the team. Their main purpose is to dribble, pass, rebound, do outside shooting and defense. He is the team’s best outside shooter. He tries to be open to get a pass from a teammate and then search for an open shot.
Small Forward: The small forward is usually taller than guards and smaller than the power forward. His responsibilities include dribbling, passing, rebounding, inside shooting, outside shooting, and defense. Usually he is the most athletic and versatile player. He usually pressures the other team when shooting and waits for an open shot.
Power Forward: The power forward is usually the 2nd tallest in the team. He is big, strong and aggressive. They are responsible for inside shooting, rebounding and defense. They work to get open shots and possess many good moves. They work on offensive rebounding.
Center: The center is the tallest player on the team, with great strength and aggression. He is responsible for inside shooting, rebounding, shot-blocking and defense. His main job is to do offensive rebounding, but also be able to block the other team’s shots.
Famous Basketball Players
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is considered a legacy of basketball. He was born in 17 February 1963. His career in athletics started with basketball, baseball and football. In his 10th grade of school, he could not make a position in his varsity basketball team due to his height. This did not let him down. He eventually became the greatest basketball player in his time through much effort. He won the title “Air Jordan” thanks to his extraordinary leaping abilities. Even after his retirement from basketball, he remains one of the highest figures of basketball in the world.
Wilt Chamberlain
When he was very young, he was not a basketball fanatic. He viewed basketball as a game for sissies. His view changed when basketball became very popular in Philadelphia. He stands at 7’1”, giving him an ultimate advantage in basketball. He is known for his physical strength and ability to block shots. He holds many NBA all-time records. His legacy remained as one of the most dominant players of basketball after his death in 1999.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Ever since he was young, he showed an interest in basketball. He was an only child, brought up Roman Catholic. He soon rose to the top, being enlisted in NBA during 1969 and 1989. In this time, he scored 38,387 points—the highest score made by any player in the NBA. He won one of the six MVP awards. He retired, but his legacy as a basketball player went on, especially for his well-known Skyhook shot.
Works Cited
"The Rules of Basketball." Basketball Galore. 10 Mar 2001. 6 Aug 2009 <http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112621/bbrules.htm>.
"Youth Basketball Rules Made Simple." Ultimate Youth Basketball Guide. 2006. 6 Aug 2009 <http://www.ultimate-youth-basketball-guide.com/youth-basketball-rules.html>.
Oak, Manali. "Famous Baskebtall Players." Buzzle. 09 Jun 2008. Buzzle.com. 6 Aug 2009 <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/famous-basketball-players.html>.
