Basketball

Many years ago, there was not a lot to do in the winter. It was icy, and the students could not play much in the cold.

James Naismith was a teacher in Canada. He taught gym class. He wanted to keep playing games in the winter.

He took a soccer ball on a cold morning. He put two wooden baskets at the ends of the gym. He told the players to try and get the ball into the baskets. They ran up and down with the ball. They tried to get it in the wooden basket.

James made up new baskets in the air. The players liked the ones in the air better. They told their friends. These friends told others. Soon people all over the world were playing this new game. They were using a ball that could bounce. They were trying to get it in the basket.

Today, we play when it is cold and when it is hot. We play inside or outside. Basketball is played all over the world. James, you were a genius!