Basketball Facts for Kids! Fun Basketball Facts for Kids

There are some truly amazing basketball facts out there that every kid should hear! Whether they like playing basketball, have dreams of making it to the NBA, or just love hearing basketball facts, every kid should read this awesome list below!!

50 Amazing Basketball Facts for Kids:

1. Basketball was invented by Canadian physical education instructor James Naismith in December 1891.
2. The first basketball was made out of a soccer ball and two peach baskets.
3. The first official basketball game was played on December 21, 1891, between Naismith’s students at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts.
4. The first professional basketball league was the National Basketball League, which was established in 1898.
5. The first basketball hoop was actually a peach basket, and the ball had to be retrieved manually after each score.
6. The first basketballs were made of leather and were very heavy, weighing up to 20 ounces.
7. Michael Jordan, who played for the Chicago Bulls, is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
8. The highest-scoring basketball game in history was played in December 1971, when the Detroit Pistons scored 186 points in a game against the Denver Rockets.
9. Basketball is played on a rectangular court that is 94 feet long and 50 feet wide.
10. The most popular way to score in basketball is by shooting the ball through the hoop, which is 10 feet tall.
11. Basketball is a fast-paced game that requires quick reflexes, good hand-eye coordination, and teamwork.
12. There are five positions in basketball: point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center.
13. The most prestigious basketball tournament in the world is the Olympics, which is held every four years.
14. The first women’s basketball game was played in 1893, and the first women’s professional basketball league was established in 1996.
15. Basketball is a popular sport all over the world, and millions of people play and watch it.
16. The shortest player in NBA history was Muggsy Bogues, who stood at 5’3″.
17. The tallest player in NBA history was Manute Bol, who stood at 7’7″.
18. A slam dunk is when a player jumps up and jams the ball through the hoop with both hands.
19. The first slam dunk in an official NBA game was performed by Jim Pollard in the 1940s.
20. The first basketball was brown, but it was later changed to orange in the 1950s.
21. The first basketball shoes were Converse All-Stars, which were introduced in 1917.
22. The first basketball arcade game was called “BasketBall”, and it was released in 1976.
23. The first basketball video game was “Pong”, which was released in 1972.
24. The first basketball team to have a mascot was the San Diego Clippers, who introduced “Clipper” the horse in 1978.
25. The first three-point line in basketball was introduced in 1979.
26. The first basketball Hall of Fame was established in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1959.
27. The first basketball team to win 70 games in a season was the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls.
28. The first basketball team to win an NBA championship was the Minneapolis Lakers in 1949.
29. The first basketball team to win back-to-back NBA championships was the Boston Celtics in 1959 and 1960.
30. The first basketball team to win three consecutive NBA championships was the Boston Celtics in the 1960s.
31. The first basketball team to win four consecutive NBA championships was the Boston Celtics in the 1960s.
32. The first basketball player to score 100 points in a single game was Wilt Chamberlain in 1962.
33. The first basketball player to win the MVP award was Bob Pettit in 1956.
34. The first basketball player to win the Rookie of the Year award was Carlton Fisk in 1972.
35. The first basketball player to win the Slam Dunk Contest was Julius Erving in 1976.
36. The first basketball player to win the All-Star Game MVP award was Bob Pettit in 1951.
37. The first basketball team to win the NBA Finals was the Minneapolis Lakers in 1949.
38. The first basketball team to win the WNBA Finals was the Houston Comets in 1997.
39. The first basketball team to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament was Ohio State in 1960.
40. The first basketball team to win the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament was Southern California in 1983.
41. The first basketball player to win the Olympic gold medal was Michael Jordan in 1992.
42. The first basketball player to win the NBA scoring title was George Mikan in 1948.
43. The first basketball player to win the NBA rebounding title was George Mikan in 1949.
44. The first basketball player to win the NBA assists title was Bob Cousy in 1953.
45. The first basketball player to win the NBA blocks title was Mark Eaton in 1985.
46. The first basketball player to win the NBA steals title was Alvin Robertson in 1986.
47. The first basketball player to win the NBA All-Defensive Team award was Connie Dierking in 1969.
48. The first basketball player to win the NBA Finals MVP award was Jerry West in 1969.
49. The first basketball player to win the NBA Most Improved Player award was Alvin Robertson in 1986.
50. The first basketball player to win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award was Bobby Jones in 1983.