Naismith was instructing physical education at the YMCA training school in Springfield at the time, and sat down in December of 1891 to write the rules for basketball.The first games were played in the gym at the YMCA training school and they featured a peach basket for hoops and soccer balls as opposed to the now known basketball. The peach baskets were left whole, and the ball had to be retrieved from the basket every time a shot was made. The first game was played in the YMCA gymnasium on a court about half the size of what we consider a basketball court today. The final score was 1-0. Small changes were made to the game over time to develop it into what we think of basketball today. A few years after Naismith developed the game a backboard and medal rim were introduced to the game. The net with an open bottom was later added to the rim so retrieval of the ball was no longer necessary. The YMCA is deserving of the credit for the spread and popularity of the game of basketball. The game had spread far beyond Massachusetts in a short amount of time. A number of high schools and colleges adopted the game into its physical education programs, and began to compete against one another. It only took seven years to develop the first professional league. It was called the National Basketball League, but it only lasted for about five years. College basketball had become recognized as a major sport well before the 1940's. It sparked a number of professional leagues to start so athletes could continue to play the game after college. The Basketball Association of America (BAA) was formed in 1946. Three years later, the BAA formed into the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1949.

Tony Hinkle waited until the 1950’s to develop the basketball that we know today. Hinkle wanted to develop a ball that would stand out to the crowd and the players. This is why the basketball is orange. The American Basketball Association (ABA) formed in 1967. The ABA was the only other professional league formed that competed with the NBA. In 1976, the NBA and ABA resolved the rivalry between the two leagues and merged. With the foundation of the game of basketball firmly planted; the game continues to grow today.