{"id":26720,"date":"2024-02-19T06:06:37","date_gmt":"2024-02-19T06:06:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footyvar.com\/?p=26720"},"modified":"2024-02-19T06:06:41","modified_gmt":"2024-02-19T06:06:41","slug":"interesting-facts-about-basketball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footyvar.com\/blog\/interesting-facts-about-basketball\/","title":{"rendered":"50 Interesting Facts About Basketball that Will Amaze You"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Basketball is a popular sport enjoyed by millions globally. It started in 1891 and has evolved into today’s NBA, boasting a fascinating history. This article highlights 50 Interesting Facts About Basketball<\/strong>, covering its invention, the three-point shot, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These facts offer insights into basketball’s intriguing aspects, catering to both avid fans and curious learners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics scored the first three-point shot in NBA history<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the opening night of the October 12, 1979, NBA season, Chris Ford, playing as a guard for the Boston Celtics, made the first-ever three-point shot in the league’s history during a game against the Houston Rockets, an event that coincided with the debut of the legendary Larry Bird.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The introduction of the 24-second shot clock in the NBA in the 1954-1955 season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To address the issue of stalling in basketball games, Danny Biasone, the owner of the Syracuse Nationals, along with general manager Leo Ferris, conceived the idea of the 24-second shot clock, a revolutionary rule that the NBA implemented starting with the 1954-1955 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Denise Long and Lusia Harris are the only two women ever drafted into the NBA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Denise Long became the first woman to be drafted into the NBA when the San Francisco Warriors selected her in the 13th round, making history. Following her, Lusia Harris also broke barriers as the second woman to be drafted, being chosen as the 137th overall pick by the New Orleans Jazz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read Also: Everything You Need To Know About Basketball Positions<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basketball was officially introduced as an Olympic sport at the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Marking its debut as an Olympic event, basketball was played at the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics on modified tennis courts, showcasing the sport’s versatility by adapting to an outdoor setting for its inaugural Olympic appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joe Fulks holds the postseason record for most missed field goals.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJumping Joe\u201d Fulks also has the record for the most missed field goals in a postseason NBA game, with 38 missed attempts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Greg Popovich has the fastest ejection record in the NBA.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

San Antonio Spurs Coach Greg Popovich holds the record for the fastest ejection in NBA history, being ejected just 63 seconds into a game against the Denver Nuggets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goaltending became a violation in 1944.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The basketball rule against goaltending was instituted in 1944 as a response to George Mikan’s dominant use of the technique, which had been legal due to the rarity of players capable of performing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 1983 game between the Pistons and Nuggets set the record for most points in an NBA game.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The December 13, 1983, regular season game between the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets ended after three overtimes with a score of 186 to 184 in favor of Detroit. This game established the record for the highest total points scored in an NBA game, as well as the records for the most and second-most points scored by individual teams in a single game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The longest NBA game lasted 78 minutes and included 6 overtimes.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On January 6, 1951, the Indianapolis Olympians and the Rochester Royals played the longest game in NBA history, lasting 78 minutes and going through 6 overtimes, ending with the Olympians winning 75 to 73.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read: Top Highest paid Players of Saudi Pro League in 2024<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Inaugural Basketball Game Occurred in 1891<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first-ever basketball game took place on December 21, 1891, featuring two teams of nine players each, utilizing a soccer ball and peach baskets as goals in a Springfield, Massachusetts YMCA gymnasium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soccer Balls Were Initially Used in Basketball<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

James Naismith, the inventor of basketball in 1891, opted for a soccer ball for the game’s early sessions, later commissioning a less bouncy, easier-to-handle ball for the sport, marking the evolution of the modern basketball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earl Lloyd: The NBA’s First African American Player in 1950<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Earl Lloyd broke racial barriers by debuting in the NBA on October 31, 1950, for the Washington Capitals, becoming the first African American to play in an NBA game, paving the way for future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dribbling Was Initially Prohibited in Basketball<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In basketball’s early days, players were restricted to passing for ball movement, with dribbling introduced in 1901 as a single bounce before passing or shooting, eventually evolving into a fundamental aspect of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muggsy Bogues: The NBA’s Shortest Player<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Standing at 5 feet 3 inches, Muggsy Bogues defied odds by excelling in the NBA from 1987 to 2001, showcasing remarkable speed and skill despite his stature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gheorghe Muresan: The Tallest NBA Player<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gheorghe Muresan, at 7 feet 7 inches, played in the NBA from 1993 to 2000, his height resulting from a condition called acromegaly, making him the tallest player in the league’s history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read: 7 Football Scandals That Shook the Beautiful Game<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The First Olympic Basketball Slam Dunk Was in 1936<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Joe Fortenberry is credited with the first slam dunk in Olympic basketball during the 1936 Berlin Games, showcasing a novel scoring method that differed significantly from today’s dunks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basketball Debuted at the Commonwealth Games in 2006<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Introduced in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, basketball joined the event’s roster, enhancing the sport’s global recognition and appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michael Jordan Was Cut from His High School Basketball Team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In his sophomore year, Michael Jordan was not selected for his high school’s varsity basketball team, a setback that deeply affected him yet motivated him to work harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NBA Originated from a Merger Between the BAA and NBL in 1949<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before becoming the iconic NBA, the league was formed through the merger of the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949, creating a 17-team league.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The First Official Women’s Basketball League Launched in 1978<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Women\u2019s Basketball League was established in 1978, following the inclusion of women’s basketball in the Olympics in 1976, although it folded in 1981 due to financial difficulties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jameson Curry Holds the Record for the Shortest NBA Career at 3.9 Seconds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jameson Curry briefly played in the NBA for a total of 3.9 seconds with the Los Angeles Clippers, marking the shortest NBA career on record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muggsy Bogues\u2019 Block Record Despite Height<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Muggsy Bogues blocked 39 shots in his NBA career. Standing at just 5’3″, Bogues managed to block shots from much taller players, defying expectations given his height.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul Pierce Played Every Game After Being Stabbed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Paul Pierce played all 82 games in the 2000-01 season after being stabbed 11 times. Despite sustaining severe injuries from a stabbing incident in 2000, Pierce made a remarkable recovery to play every game of the following season for the Boston Celtics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No Quintuple-Double Recorded in NBA History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The NBA has never witnessed a quintuple-double. While double-doubles and triple-doubles are common, and quadruple-doubles are exceedingly rare with only four instances, no player has ever achieved a quintuple-double.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kobe Bryant\u2019s NBA Contract Co-signed by Parents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kobe Bryant\u2019s first NBA contract required his parents\u2019 co-signature. Drafted at 17, Bryant was underage, necessitating his parents to co-sign his contract with the Lakers until he turned 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High Bankruptcy Rates Among Retired NBA Players<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

60% of NBA players face financial difficulties within five years of retirement. A significant number of NBA players struggle financially post-retirement due to lavish spending and poor financial planning, despite their high earnings during their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read: Best USA Sports Streaming Services in 2023<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air Jordans Initially Banned by NBA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The NBA once banned Air Jordan sneakers due to their color scheme. Introduced in 1985, Air Jordans violated the league\u2019s uniform policy with their black and red design, leading to a $5,000 fine for Michael Jordan each game he wore them, which Nike paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Todd Bozeman’s Controversial Career at California<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Todd Bozeman faced multiple controversies at California. Initially taking over in 1993 amid accusations, Bozeman later paid a player’s parents for travel, which, along with a sexual harassment allegation, resulted in an eight-year NCAA coaching ban.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Southwestern Louisiana Basketball Sanctions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Southwestern Louisiana faced NCAA sanctions in the 1970s. Violations included academic fraud and improper financial aid, culminating in a competition ban due to systemic issues and falsified academic records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celtics and Knicks Never Relocated<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Celtics and Knicks are unique for never having relocated. They remain the only NBA teams to have stayed in their original cities throughout the league’s history, a notable feat given the commonality of team relocations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basketball Evolved from “Duck on a Rock”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Basketball shares origins with the children’s game “Duck on a Rock,” emphasizing offense and defense through a stone-knocking mechanic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frank W. Keaney Introduced Fast Break<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frank W. Keaney, coaching at the University of Rhode Island (1921-1948), innovated basketball with the concept of the fast break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Massachusetts uniquely honors both American and international basketball professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hank Luisetti Introduced the One-Hand Shot in the 1930s<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hank Luisetti, a player from Stanford University, was the first to use and popularize the one-hand shot in basketball during the late 1930s. Prior to Luisetti’s innovation, basketball players predominantly used two-handed push shots for outside attempts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luisetti’s One-Hander Evolved into the Jump Shot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jerry West and Rick Mount showcased the efficiency of the jump shot in the 1950s-60s, evolving from Luisetti\u2019s one-hander. The shot is released at the peak of the jump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Longest NBA Game: 78 Minutes in 1951<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Indianapolis Olympians and Rochester Royals played the longest NBA game on January 6, 1951, lasting 78 minutes and concluding after 6 overtimes with the Olympians winning 75-73.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highest-Scoring NBA Game in 1983<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets scored a record 186-184 in a triple-overtime game on December 13, 1983, marking the highest-scoring NBA game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boston Celtics: Record 17 NBA Championships<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Boston Celtics hold the record for the most NBA championships, including a streak of 7 wins from 1960 to 1966.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LeBron James Achieved Highest Annual Earnings for a Basketball Player<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

LeBron James set a record for basketball players’ annual earnings by making $85.5 million between July 2017 and July 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Original Celtics: Basketball Dominance Before WWII<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Original Celtics, established in 1915, were a pre-WWII powerhouse, known for their unmatched performance and contributions to basketball’s development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New York Renaissance: Strongest All-Black Team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The New York Renaissance, formed in 1923, is celebrated as the most formidable all-black basketball team, achieving 88 consecutive wins in the 1932-33 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wilt Chamberlain’s Single-Game Scoring Record<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wilt Chamberlain holds the single-game scoring record in basketball with 100 points, showcasing his historic performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Influenced Basketball Rules<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s college performance led to the NCAA’s ban on dunk shots, highlighting his impact on the game’s regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early Basketball Innovators: Edward and Lew Wachter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Edward and Lew Wachter contributed to early basketball tactics, including the offensive bounce pass and advocating for players to shoot their own free throws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read: 50 Interesting Facts About Baseball Every Fan Should Know<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

YMCA Membership Decline Led to Professionalization<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Basketball’s temporary ban at the YMCA led to a membership decline, inadvertently promoting the sport’s professionalization through the hiring of halls for games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And to sum it up, folks! We\u2019ve covered 50 facts about Basketball<\/strong>‘s history showcasing pivotal moments such as LeBron James’ record earnings, Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s influence on rules. It reflects the sport’s evolution through milestones like the introduction of African-American and Chinese players in the NBA and early innovations in gameplay. These highlights underscore basketball’s growth and the key figures who have contributed to its status as a worldwide sport.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Basketball is a popular sport enjoyed by millions globally. It started in 1891 and has evolved into today’s NBA, boasting a fascinating history. This article highlights 50 Interesting Facts About Basketball, covering its invention, the three-point shot, and more. These facts offer insights into basketball’s intriguing aspects, catering to both avid fans and curious learners.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":26723,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/footyvar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26720"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/footyvar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/footyvar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footyvar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footyvar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26720"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/footyvar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26720\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26726,"href":"https:\/\/footyvar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26720\/revisions\/26726"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footyvar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26723"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/footyvar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26720"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footyvar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26720"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footyvar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26720"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}