Dr. James Naismith – The Canadian who invented basketball
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Dr. James Naismith invented basketball in 1891, he lived to see it accepted as an Olympic sport at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, but in his wildest dreams he couldn’t have imagined that it would become the world’s second most popular sport, (after soccer) played in more than 200 countries, and a multi-billion dollar industry. Now his Canadian hometown is set to honor him with a statue.
Although Dr. Naismith has been recognized in Springfield, Massachusetts and at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Almonte, Ontario, the town where Dr. Naismith was born, has a more low key museum.
A large boulder – the “Rock” – stands like an altar at the heart of the museum.
It’s a tribute to the inspiration for James Naismith’s invention – “Duck on a Rock” – a game he played growing up.
Nine-year-old Warner Giles demonstrates the game by lobbing a rock in a familiar overhand arcing motion – knocking a stone, or “duck”, off the boulder. This was the type of throw that brought the world basketball.
1891 and the first basketball team in full kit
Almonte is honoring Naismith “big in a small way”, according to Al Lunney, the mayor of Mississippi Mills, which today includes Almonte. “It’s long overdue,” admits the mayor.
A larger-than-life bronze statue depicting Naismith with a ball and a peach basket will soon be dedicated in the town square.
Kansas Sculptor Eldon Teft produced three identical versions from the same mould – one for Almonte, one for Springfield and one for Kansas, where Dr. Naismith coached the University of Kansas basketball team.
While organizers plan to invite Dr. Naismith’s descendants, as well as the Canadian prime minister, to the dedication, Mr Rae has his eyes on a special VIP. “We could invite President Obama, too,” knowing Obama is a basketball nut.
Larry Bird and Magic Johnson keep their eyes on the Naismith ball
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Ahhh! I always wondered what the point of Canada was!…;-)
I’m joking Canada…really…I am….oh eck..The Mounties are after me now…;-)
Despite not being a particularly popular sport in England in contrast to soccer and rugby etc I’ve always enjoyed the odd basketball game on Sky.
As a kid I got to see The Harlem Globetrotters on tour over here. I know it was ‘fixed’ but it was entertainment of the highest order!
Naismith is considered a god at my alma mater-KU.
KU is my wife’s Alma Mater too. She is far from a sports fan until KU basketball is on TV, then I guess the long arm of the Naismith tradition takes over.
Rock chalk, Jayhawk, K-U.
there awsome