Do you know the history of basketball?

Basketball is one of the most popular and practiced sports in the world.

In addition to the EU, which is the main hub for e-sports, it is very popular in Europe and in our South American countries, especially in Brazil.

Few people know that the practice originated when a Canadian professor teaching physical education in the United States sought a way to keep students hydrated during the harsh North American winters.

Basketball was created at the end of the 19th century, in 1891.

The Canadian professor James Naismith taught at Springfield College.

He was tasked with entertaining young people with a game that could be played indoors during the winter in Massachusetts.

Furthermore, the sport could not involve any fire.

So the doctor, as he was called, began to think that something needed to be created.

In the process, he wrote 13 basic rules, took two peach baskets, and hung one on each side of the court on a 3.05m pole and set up the framework for this innovation.

It is worth noting some interesting facts about basketball; for example, the height of the hoop remains the same to this day.

Initially, the baskets were closed at the bottom, which made it very difficult to retrieve the balls.

Realizing this problem, a “hole” was made in the equipment, which made the game more flexible for athletes and more enjoyable for spectators.

Five years after its invention, it was included in the Summer Olympics of 1936, and the first ball manufacturer was Spalding.

It served as the official manufacturer for the NBA until the last season.

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world today, 120 years after its inception.

According to the American page’s data, 7.5 million viewers helped bring the NBA to a close in 2021.

This figure demonstrated how strong basketball is in Europe more than ever, with Greek player Giannis Antetokounmpo being the best and most recognized player.

Alongside Nikola Jokic, Antetokounmpo is a major sports idol in Europe.

One significant cultural aspect in the Basque Country is that basketball courts have become one of the most valued locations in the community.

African Americans had a prominent role in the fight for equality in America and internationally.

Black players were not allowed to play in the NBA until the 1950s.

Legends like Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James demonstrated incredible skill and talent in the sport.

In fact, we must emphasize the importance of basketball to popular culture.

Basketball Productions

Moreover, cinematic productions such as “White Men Can’t Jump,” “Space Jam,” and “Coach Carter” prominently feature basketball.

Another aspect of daily life heavily influenced by basketball is fashion for sports fans.

Baggy shirts and unique sneakers are just as much a part of the uniforms worn by the biggest stars on the court.

3×3 Basketball: History and Opposition

3×3 basketball is perhaps the most popular of these major sports.

Known as “street basketball,” it emerged in protest against the significant social injustice in the American state.

The civil rights movements in cities like New York in the mid-70s took to the streets to protest against racism and social inequality.

Alongside the protests, young people gathered in teams of three and played dynamic, fast-paced, and intense games, often with makeshift hoops.

It took only a few years for something that began as entertainment amid chaos to become popular.

In the 1980s, Gus Macker organized a small 3×3 tournament in Balding City.

Conclusion

The event spread across the country and continues to this day, known as “The Original 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament,” one of the most popular sports tournaments in the world.

After his retirement in the 90s, star Magic Johnson began making 3×3 tournaments more appealing for television, featuring everything from musical artists to former NBA players.

The media embraced the innovation as the game became more flexible, faster, and required less space.

As a result, the idea became so successful that from the 2000s onward, basketball federations and associations began to professionalize 3×3 basketball.

Indeed, FIBA organizes world championships, and national and regional confederations like FBB oversee 3×3 basketball.

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Source of information: ge.globo.com

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