<P> The history of basketball began with its invention in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts by Canadian physical education instructor James Naismith as a less injury - prone sport than football . The game became established fairly quickly and grew very popular as the 20th century progressed, first in America and then throughout the world . After basketball became established in American colleges, the professional game followed . The American National Basketball Association (NBA), established in 1946, grew to a multibillion - dollar enterprise by the end of the century, and basketball became an integral part of American culture . </P> <P> The game of basketball as it is known today was created by Dr. James Naismith in December 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, to condition young athletes during cold months . It consisted of peach baskets and a soccer style ball . He published 13 rules for the new game . He divided his class of eighteen into two teams of nine players each and set about to teach them the basics of his new game . The objective of the game was to throw the basketball into the fruit baskets nailed to the lower railing of the gym balcony . Every time a point was scored, the game was halted so the janitor could bring out a ladder and retrieve the ball . After a while, the bottoms of the fruit baskets were removed . The first public basketball game was played in Springfield, Massachusetts, on March 11, 1892 . </P>

Who came up with the game of basketball