basketball

They score by tossing, or “shooting,” an inflated ball through a raised hoop, or “basket,” located in their opponent’s end of the court. A goal is worth two points, three if shot from outside a specified limit. A player who is fouled (through unwarranted physical contact) by another is awarded one to three free-throw attempts (depending on the circumstances of the foul). A successful free throw is worth one point. Invented in 1891 by James A. Naismith at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Mass., basketball quickly became popular throughout the U.S., with ... (100 of 11801 words)

Articles from Britannica encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

basketball - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)

One of the most popular sports in the United States, basketball is played between two teams of five players each on a rectangular court. It is the only major sport that is completely American in origin.

basketball - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

It could have been called boxball. In the winter of 1891, James Naismith, an instructor at a YMCA training school in Springfield, Mass., asked the janitor to hang a couple of boxes from the gymnasium balcony for an experimental indoor ball game. The game became known as basketball because the janitor, unable to find boxes to make the elevated goals, nailed up two half-bushel peach baskets. Naismith came up with the game in hopes of curing the winter doldrums of his students who had grown bored with the routine of gymnastics and calisthenics. Naismith first experimented with indoor versions of rugby, lacrosse, and other sports, but they proved too violent. The former divinity student eventually struck upon the idea of upright goals that would minimize the force on the ball and keep some distance between the players and the actual scoring. Thus the internationally popular game of basketball was born.

How Stuff Works - Entertainment - How Basketball Works

Journal of Basketball Studies

Statistical analysis of the game of basketball. Includes monthly feature articles, coaching and scouting techniques and information, instructions on the use of the site’s statistical methods, and links to team statistics for the NBA, WNBA, and men’s and women’s college basketball.

USA Basketball

Guide to the men’s and women’s national teams. Includes news, player profiles, results, and schedules.

Sporting News

"Section of an online sports journal that covers news on this sport. Includes player and team profiles, details on upcoming games, and expert analysis. Also features an updated score report. "

The Official Site of NBA

Comprehensive, up-to-date information on the NBA. Includes profiles of all of the league’s current players, head coaches, and 29 teams; articles on current league events; upcoming game schedules; scores, statistics, and summaries of recent games; league standings; and individual category season leaders.

USA Today: Pro Basketball

Coverage of the NBA and other basketball news. Includes articles on recent league news and events, game schedules and scores, league standings, team rosters, and statistics. Offers information on the ABL, WNBA, and CBA professional basketball leagues.

NBA: National Basketball Association

Coverage of the NBA basketball league. Includes articles and commentary on league news and events, game schedules and scores, audio and video game coverage, league standings, team and player profiles, statistics, and recent transaction details. Offers interactive features such as user polls, trivia contests, and a chat room. Additional articles and information are available to paying subscribers.

Full Court Press

"E-zine providing coverage of women’s high school, college, professional, and Olympic basketball. Contains news, articles, and subscription information."

NBA: National Basketball Association

Information on the NBA and other professional basketball leagues, including the CBA and ABL. Includes news and articles on the NBA plus NBA and CBA team profiles, game schedules and scoreboards, standings, and statistics.

Bob Cousy

"Information on this American professional basketball player and coach who was a ball-handling guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA.) Features a biography, career highlights, statistics, records, quotes, and photos."

WNBA: Women’s National Book Association

Official information from the Women’s National Basketball Association, the new women’s professional basketball league. Includes news and articles on league and team events; game schedules, scores, and statistics; league standings; and profiles of the league’s teams.

NBA: National Basketball Association

Articles and information on NBA basketball. Includes headline articles on recent events and news, team and player profiles, the season schedule and game results, and league standings. Offers polls on controversial issues, NBA trivia questionnaires, and a chat room.

ThinkQuest - History in Basketball

History.com - The History of Basketball

Fact Monster - Basketball

Sportsknowhow - History of Basketball