This World Basketball Day was special. It coincided with the 175th anniversary of the YMCA, where basketball was invented 134 years ago. Interesting fact, right? Let's look at 5 more.

1. The First Basketball Game

The first time basketball was played, it wasn't for fun or sports but rather to keep the students active during the winter months. 134 years ago, on December 21st, 1891, Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, invented the game.

He divided 18 students into two teams of nine and used a soccer ball and peach baskets as goals. The objective was to throw the ball into the peach baskets nailed to the gym balcony.

2. Establishment of NBA

Boston Garden's owner, Walter Brown, realized something one day that would serve as the base of the NBA. He thought of using the big ice hockey arenas to host basketball games on empty nights.

He then established the Basketball Association of America in June 1946 in New York City. The BBA then merged with the National Basketball League to create the National Basketball Association (NBA).

3. Finding the NBA G League

The NBA also has a minor league called the NBA G League, which works to prepare players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA. The League also serves as the league’s research and development laboratory. It has 31 teams - 30 of which are affiliated with an NBA team as of the 2025-26 season.

The league was first founded in 2001. At that time, it had only 8 teams and was known as the National Basketball Development League. The NBA acquired it in 2005 and renamed it the NBA Development League. But then, before the 2017-18 season, the NBA renamed it to NBA G League after Gatorade sponsorship.

4. A new chapter in the NBA's partnerships with Take-Two

The NBA 2K League, which was launched with the partnership between the NBA and Take-Two Interactive Software, has been relaunched under NBA Take-Two Media with a new entertainment-focused format.

"With the new 2KL, we're building an entirely new type of entertainment universe that blends competition with content," said Andrew Perlmutter, CEO of NBAT2. "Filled with wild, wacky, unpredictable, and emotionally resonant moments, we're extending the immensely popular world of NBA2K beyond competitive gaming and will show fans who their favorite athletes and creators are off the court."

5. Founding the World Basketball Day

The United Nations General Assembly in 2023 announced 21 December as World Basketball Day 2023 through UN resolution A/RES/77/324.

"Recognizing sport, including sport for persons with disabilities, has an important role to play in the promotion of peace and development, respect for human rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls, in particular, given its universal popularity. On 25 August 2023, the General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/77/324 proclaiming 21 December as World Basketball Day," read a report by the UN.

Which one of these is your favorite? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Joyita Das