Like with many sports, basketball has evolved significantly since it was invented some 130 years ago back in Springfield, Massachusetts.

There are now 2.2 billion players and fans around the world, and as participants push the boundaries of the sport, more changes will occur as the story of basketball continues to unfold.

Here are 12 fascinating facts in the story so far.

Baskets Were Really Baskets

In 1891, seeking a new sport for his students to enjoy during the chilly months, Physical Education teacher James Naismith attached real peach baskets to the gym's balcony.

Every time someone scored a goal, they had to pull out a ladder and climb up to retrieve the ball. That likely meant extra stoppages in play!

Olympic Sport

Basketball made its Olympic debut at the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin, Germany. A total of 21 countries participated, with the United States ultimately securing the Gold medal.

Two Leagues Became One

The NBA was originally formed in 1949 when the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Basketball Association of America (BAA) merged together. In 1967, a rival league, the ABA, started but folded nine years later. The ABA attempted some variations on the rules, and some of these ended up being adopted and are still used in the game today.

Most Points for a Player in a Game

The highest number of points ever scored in an NBA game was achieved by Wilt Chamberlain, who tallied an astonishing 100 points in a game against the Knicks in March 1962.

Three-Pointers

The three-pointer now plays a huge part in modern-day basketball. But it wasn’t actually a thing in the NBA until the 1979-80 season when they borrowed the idea from the ABA.

Dribbling Wasn’t Allowed

When the game was originally created, players were required to pass the ball from the spot where they caught it. Luckily, this rule didn’t stick around for too long, and dribbling became part of the sport from around 1897. Netball has kept this tactic, and it remains one of the most popular sports among all ages.

Fouls Were Originally Permitted

For the first 20 years of the game, fouls were actually permitted. From 1910, players were permitted to commit four fouls, which was updated again in 1946 to five fouls, as we now know it. In 1989, the NBA updated this to six, but FIBA rules still only allow five before the player is sent off.

Basketball Sneakers Had to Be Partially White

Basketball sneakers have always been a point of interest for players and part of fashion for many years. League rules required that all players wear shoes that not only coordinated with their uniforms but also matched those of their teammates. Thanks to Michael Jordan back in 1984, who decided to accept a fine each time he wore his signature Jordans (originally black and red), the NBA eventually changed its stance, and now any color is acceptable.

Why Is a Basketball Orange?

Basketball originally started with the game using a soccer ball. This progressed to a brown leather ball, but quite often, it would be too hard to see, blending with the floor or players' uniforms. Eventually, it was dyed to the orange color many use today.

Most Points for a Team in a Game

Dear Lykkers! The most points ever scored in an NBA game by one team is 186. This occurred during a game between the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets in December 1983. It was a triple-overtime thriller with Denver losing by 2 points. This match also ended up being the most combined points scored by both teams in a game, with a total of 300 points.

The First Slam Dunk

There’s no denying that dunking is one of the most exciting parts of the game. The first person to dunk was in 1944, a 7ft tall center who played for Oklahoma, who was pinned by defenders under the ring and accidentally stuffed the ball in the basket. Dunking ended up becoming banned in the 1960s for about 10 years, mostly because Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was dominating with this move. Luckily, this ban didn’t last!

Most Points in Total for a Player in the NBA

LeBron James, famously known as "The King," holds the record for the most total points in NBA history, currently standing at 38,469 and still rising! He only recently took this title from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the 7th of February, 2023.

As basketball's popularity continues to rise, its rules are bound to evolve over time. To stay ahead and master the game, dedicate time to consistent training and skill development.