Basketball is a Sport that is 127 years old and was created/founded by Dr. James Naismith in December 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, Dr. James Also founded the NBA (National Basketball Association).
The first game of basketball ever played took place on the 21st of December 1891, at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. The gym was extremely small. Only 50 feet x 35 feet, compared to current-day Basketball courts which are 94 feet x 53 feet and they used a soccer ball and a peach basket as they had no proper equipment. When the players arrived, Dr. James Naismith split his eighteen students into two teams of nine players and did his best to teach them the 13 rules of basketball and a general understanding of the sport.
The First Proper/professional Basketball Game in NBA History took place on November 1st, 1946 in Toronto, Canada at the Maple Leaf Gardens. It was between the Toronto Huskies and the New York Knickerbockers, The final score was 66-68 with the Knickerbockers taking the win, with a crowd of 7090.
And still till this day the NBA is still being played and is one of the biggest/most popular sports in the sporting franchise and is definitely one of the most entertaining and engaging to watch sports and play.
Most people would think basketball is a sport for ‘’Americans only’’ because basketball originates in the USA. Some of the NBA's greatest players such as Kyrie Irving who is Australian and one of the greatest point guards of all time and Giannis Antetekompo who is Greek and has just recently won this year's MVP (most valuable player) award, This fact proves a point that Basketball is a multicultural sport. Also, some people may think Basketball is a ‘’sport for men only’’ well in 1996 the WNBA was introduced this is a version of the NBA but for Women.
And also the basketball game Nba 2k on the PS4, Xbox, and Nintendo, this year it was announced that the WNBA was brought in the Nba 2k20 for girl gamers and people interested in playing as girls and as WNBA teams in Nba 2k20.
Another fact that proves that basketball is a sport for anyone is Wheelchair basketball, Wheelchair basketball is basketball played by people with a variety of physical disabilities that disqualify them from playing in the NBA. Also, wheelchair basketball can be played by Men and Women.
How does this basketball impact the individual’s sense of self and their ability to cope and feel supported?
Basketball is a very friendly and supportive sport, basketball is not a sport for people with poor sportsmanship, laziness, hogging, or cocky attitude, as basketball is a sport where u need good communication, teamwork, and good sportsmanship as the players need to work as a team to achieve their goals and win. Basketball is a very inclusive sport no matter what race you are, how big or small you are, if you have a disability, and if u are a Female or Male.
Another reason why basketball is really inclusive is because it is a very small game this means there won't be one game where a player doesn't touch the ball no matter how long their on the court as the court is small compared to soccer, cricket and Afl which have huge playing fields for example a goalkeeper in soccer most of the time doesn't do anything. Every player in Basketball has a job and if that player doesn't play his job well there would be a 4 verse 5 which would result in the other team having a better chance at winning.
How is the success of Basketball reaching a societal level of inclusivity ( eg Paralympics on TV, Indigenous Rounds in NRL/AFL/Football)
WNBA- As mentioned within this Doc, the WNBA is the Nba women's version this gives Female ballers a chance to play basketball professionally.
Wheelchair basketball- Also mentioned within this doc, Wheelchair basketball is for people with a disability that unqualifies them from being in the NBA, wheelchair basketball is the same as the NBA but instead of the players walking in wheelchairs, this can also be played by both females and males.
All-Star Weekend- All-star weekend includes the All-Star game, the dunk contest, the three-point contest, the rising star game for NBA rookies, and also a celebrity game for celebrities to play an actual and professional game of basketball. The star weekend is the most entertaining weekend in the NBA calendar, this event includes people showing off their skills in different types of events, for example, if you are an outstanding shooter the three-point contest is for you or maybe if you are a very good dunker the dunk contest is for you.
Nba international world cup- The nba world Cup is when different countries compete in a game of basketball, this event is inclusive because it gives unique countries and countries most people wouldn't think would be good at basketball a chance to compete against each other and represent their countries.
A Multicultural Sport- Another reason why the NBA is very inclusive is its multiculturalism, even though the NBA originates from America, the NBA supports different backgrounds and does not judge them, the NBA is simply based on Skill, not culture/background and I have provided support for this statement within this doc.
Affordable- Basketball is one of the most affordable sports when basketball was first played just a soccer ball and just a peach basketball were used, this just proves that basketball can be played with any equipment even if it's a soccer ball and a regular basket. And no matter what city you are in most suburbs have a local basketball court and also you could buy a basketball ring that ranges from 100-300 dollars or a team you can sign up for if you want to make a career out of it. Basketball is a very active sport that will help you stay in shape and keep your fitness up.