James Naismith: The Invention Of Women's Basketball

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In 1891 James Naismith created the game of basketball, this game started off as a game only man played. James Naismith was a Canadian P. E teacher and invented the game for his students during the winter. The game of basketball started in Massachusetts where Naismith invented the game and has now spread throughout the world. Not only did the sport start to pave its way, but so did women’s basketball. As time went on women’s basketball took off and became more popular with changes along the way. After the invention of basketball, it started to spark interest in females across the country. Only problem was that the people believed the sport to be a man’s game and was no fit for a woman. When the game was invented, it was modified to man’s needs and wants. It was modified to be an aggressive strategic type of game and apparently wasn’t a fit for women. Although it wasn’t considered a fit for women, they did everything they could to play. Jenkins states that “Women's basketball has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1892” (Jenkins). Women started proving to people that they could play and soon they got their wish. Women started to play in college and eventually women started to play everywhere …show more content…

So, after several years of fighting to be taken seriously, women’s basketball has definitely come a long way. Through rule changes and people saying they weren’t fit for the sport women proved themselves. They didn’t let anyone get to them and now they are playing in their own professional league. Augustyn states that “ Helped by the dissolution of the rival American Basketball League in 1999, the WNBA grew in the early years of the 21st century to become the most successful American women’s professional sports league ever, helped along by the popularity of outstanding players such as Rebecca Lobo, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson”

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