The only major sport strictly of U.S. origin, basketball was invented by James Naismith (1861 to 1939) on or about December 1, 1891, at the International Young Mens Christian Association (YMCA) Training School (now Springfield College), Springfield, Massachusetts, where Naismith was an instructor in physical education.

First shot in first basketball game

For that first game of basketball in 1891, Naismith used as goals two half-bushel peach baskets, which gave the sport its name.