 Netball emerged from early versions of basketball and evolved into its own sport as the number of women participating in sports increased . Basketball was invented in 1891 by James Naismith in the United States . The game was initially played indoors between two teams of nine players , using an association football that was thrown into closed @-@ end peach baskets . Naismith 's game spread quickly across the United States and variations of the rules soon emerged . Physical education instructor Senda Berenson developed modified rules for women in 1892 ; these eventually gave rise to women 's basketball . Around this time separate intercollegiate rules were developed for men and women . The various basketball rules converged into a universal set in the United States . 
