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BW Sixth Grade The History of Basketball Reading Passage Comprehension Activity

Basketball was invented in 1891 by James Naismith as a way to create a fun indoor game with reduced player contact. Originally played with nine players on each team and using peach bushel baskets, it evolved to the current five-player format and gained popularity, leading to the formation of the NBA and WNBA. Basketball is now a global sport with over 200 countries having national teams.

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47 views2 pages

BW Sixth Grade The History of Basketball Reading Passage Comprehension Activity

Basketball was invented in 1891 by James Naismith as a way to create a fun indoor game with reduced player contact. Originally played with nine players on each team and using peach bushel baskets, it evolved to the current five-player format and gained popularity, leading to the formation of the NBA and WNBA. Basketball is now a global sport with over 200 countries having national teams.

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t.bhikarry
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The History of Basketball
Basketball was invented in the United States in 1891. The game was invented by James
Naismith. Naismith was a Canadian-American physical education teacher, physician, chaplain,
and coach. Naismith was working at the International Young Men’s Christian Association
Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts when he was asked to come up with new fun
indoor games for their students. He decided to combine aspects of field hockey, football, and
soccer. The goal was to reduce contact between players to prevent injuries.

Because his classes had 18 students, basketball was originally played with nine players on each
team. It is now played with five players on each team. In the original games, players attempted
to get the balls into peach bushel baskets. When players made baskets, the ball had to be
retrieved using step ladders. The metal hoop was not invented until 1906. Basketball quickly
became popular all over the United States. College teams began being formed in the early 1890s.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) was formed in 1949, and the Women’s National
Basketball Association (WNBA) was formed in 1997. In 1936, men’s basketball became an official
Olympic event. Women’s basketball was added in 1976.

Basketball became even more popular in the 1980s. Players such as Michael Jordan, Magic
Johnson, Larry Bird, and Charles Barkley became celebrities. Basketball is now popular all over
the world. There are currently more than 200 countries with a national basketball team.

1. Which of the following is true about the original games of basketball?

There were five players on each team.


Players shot balls through metal hoops.
Players shot balls into peach bushel baskets.
It took a long time for basketball to become popular.

2. Which of the following is not true about the inventor of basketball?

He was a chaplain.
He worked in Massachusetts.
He was a doctor.
He was French.

3. How is basketball similar to other sports like soccer, football, or field hockey?



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