2. History The inventor of basketball is Dr James Naismith The concept of Basketball was from Naismith’s school days Dr James Naismith was a PE instructor at the YMCA Training School in 1891 The students at the school became tired of having gymnastics as their only indoor activity At the training school they first started playing with a football So Dr Naismith devised a game that is alternative to gymnastics American Football and Baseball could not be played as the ground was too hard in the Winter

3. Equipment Basketball is played with a brown or orange inflated ball made of leather or synthetic material. The ball for ‘boys’ and ‘men’ games weighs between 567 to 624 grams and is about 75 cm in circumference. Girl’s and women use a ball that weighs between 510 to 567 grams and about 74 cm in circumference.

4. The game The game of Basketball is played with two teams, each with five players with usually two guards, two forwards and a centre. The referee starts the game by tossing the ball between the two opposing centre players, who stand facing each other at the centre circle of the playing arc. The player who wins the ball may then pass, throw, tap, roll or dribble in any direction, subject to the official rules. The aim of the game is to throw the ball through the opponent’s basket while preventing the other team from getting the ball and scoring goals.

5. David Anderson David Anderson is a famous basketball player. He was born on the 23 rd of June 1980, in Frankston, an out south eastern suburb of Melbourne. David was introduced to basketball at a young age. His mother Mary played netball and basketball and thought it would be a good sport to get all her children involved in. At the age of 5, David was playing in the school basketball team at Frankston East Primary with one of his brother, Stuart. Mary coached the team.

6. The Olympics Basketball has been played in the summer Olympics games since 1936 and was also played as a demonstration sport in 1904 and 1924 games. The United States men’s basketball team won all of the gold medals from 1936 to 1968. The Olympics included women starting in 1976. The USA women’s national basketball team won a silver medal at the 1976 Olympics, a bronze medal in 1988, and a gold medal at all the other competitions. Winning the Olympics is considered to be the highest honour in International Basketball.

7. Facts The first basketball game was played using a soccer ball and 2 peach baskets as goals. The current Atlanta Hawks coach, Lenny Wikens, has won more games than any other coach. The Boston Celtics have won the most NBA Championships (17),including seven straight from 1960 to 1966. The game became an official Olympic event at the Summer Games in Berlin, Germany in 1936. Michael Jordon, who retired in January 1999, returned to the league in 2001, has scored more points (5 987) in the playoffs than any other player. The Chicago Bulls have won all six NBA Finals in which they’ve appeared.