James Naismith was born on November 6, 1861, in Almonte, Ontario, Canada. He was the eldest of three children born to John Naismith, a farmer, and Margaret Young Naismith. Naismith’s father died when he was nine years old, as a result, his mother raised him and his siblings.
Subsequently, Naismith attended McGill University in Montreal, studying physical education and graduating in 1885. He then moved to the United States for a job as a physical education instructor at the Springfield, Massachusetts YMCA Training School.
James Naismith: Birthright
In 1891, Naismith was tasked with creating an indoor game that would keep his students occupied during the winter months. He came up with the idea for basketball, and he wrote the first 13 rules of the game. The first game of basketball was played on December 21, 1891, and it was a success.
Following his invention, Naismith continued to teach and coach basketball at the International YMCA Training School until 1898. He then moved to the University of Kansas, where he served as the school’s athletic director and basketball coach until his retirement in 1938.
Finally, Naismith is considered to be the “Father of Basketball.” He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959, and he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.
Naismith was married to Maude Sherman from 1894 until her death in 1937. They had five children together. Naismith died on November 28, 1939, at the age of 78. Listen to James Naismith tell his story on his invention.
Naismith Achievements
Here are some of James Naismith’s achievements:
- Globally considered to be the “Father of Basketball.”
- Invented the game of basketball in 1891.
- Wrote the first 13 rules of basketball.
- Coached basketball at the International YMCA Training School and the University of Kansas.
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959.
- James Naismith, posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.
Naismith Mentorship
James Naismith had many notable students and some that were honored by the Naismith Hall of Fame.. Some of the most famous include:
- Phog Allen: Allen was a student of Naismith’s at the International YMCA Training School and went on to become the head coach at the University of Kansas. He is credited with popularizing the game of basketball and is considered to be one of the “Fathers of Basketball.”
- Adolph Rupp: Rupp was a student of Naismith’s at the University of Kansas and went on to become the head coach at the University of Kentucky. He is the winningest coach in college basketball history and led Kentucky to four national championships.
- Dean Smith: Smith was a student of Naismith’s at the University of Kansas and went on to become the head coach at the University of North Carolina. He is the winningest coach in the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference and led North Carolina to two national championships.
Naismith Hall of Fame
- Bob Cousy: Cousy was a student at the University of Holy Cross and went on to become one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. He led the Boston Celtics to six NBA championships and was a 13-time All-Star. The Bob Cousy Award is an annual basketball award given by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The award recognizes the top men’s collegiate point guard.
- Bill Russell: a two-time member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame He was a five-time NBA MVP and a 12-time All-Star. During his 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, he won 11 NBA titles, including eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966
- Wilt Chamberlain: Wilt Chamberlain was an American professional basketball player who played center in the NBA for 14 seasons. He is considered one of the greatest players in the sport. Chamberlain was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978, his first year of eligibility.
