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Get your sneakers ready to go and celebrate Play Basketball Day on December 2! This day was created in the mid-1980s as a way to honor the sport and encourage people of all ages to get out there, have some fun, and play a game of hoops. Whether you're shooting around with friends or playing on a competitive team, it's always an exciting experience. So grab your ball and head outside for some slam dunks!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1891</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Basketball Invention</div><div class='timeline-text'>Dr. James Naismith invented basketball in December 1891 as an indoor game to keep his students occupied during the winter season.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1936</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Basketball in Olympics</div><div class='timeline-text'>Basketball was included in the Summer Olympics and has been played in every Summer Olympics since then.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1946</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Birth of NBA</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Basketball Association (NBA) was founded on June 6, significantly advancing the popularity and professionalism of the game.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Play Basketball Day Establishment</div><div class='timeline-text'>Play Basketball Day was created to encourage participation in the sport and honor the sport's contributions to fitness and team spirit.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1997</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>WNBA's Inception</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) was launched, elevating the presence of female athletes in professional basketball.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a pickup game</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get your friends together and organize a pickup game at your local court. Make sure to bring plenty of water, basketballs, and the right attitude.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Play a one on one tournament</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you don't have enough people for a full game, set up a one on one tournament in your driveway or at the park. The winner of each round gets a point, and the first person to five points wins!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Play HORSE</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>HORSE is always a fun way to get a little competition going with whoever is around at the time. Challenge each other to make shots from different parts of the court and see who can make the most shots.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go to an NBA game</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Treat yourself and go watch some pro basketball on Play Basketball Day! Nothing beats seeing some of the best players in the world compete against each other.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Shoot around outside</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take it back to basics and shoot around in your driveway or at your local park. Don't forget about doing drills too—it's a great way to hone your skills.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Basketball is fun</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Whether you're playing a game of pickup with friends or joining an organized league, basketball is an incredibly entertaining and enjoyable sport. It's fast-paced and action-packed, and there's never a dull moment when you shoot hoops!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Basketball is great exercise</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Not only does basketball provide nonstop entertainment, but it also helps keep you in shape! With all of the running, jumping, and shooting involved, basketball will help improve your reflexes, coordination and overall physical fitness.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Basketball builds teamwork skills</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>In addition to being a great form of exercise, basketball also teaches valuable teamwork skills as players must work together to achieve their common goals. By learning how to effectively communicate and cooperate with each other on the court, players learn how to become stronger team members.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Basketball Hoops Were Initially Peach Baskets</h3><p class='facts-content'>The first games of basketball were played using peach baskets for hoops. They were hung from the balcony in the gym, but it quickly became tedious to retrieve the ball from the basket each time a point was scored. Eventually, the bottom of the baskets were removed to make the game more efficient.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Dribbling Didn’t Originally Exist</h3><p class='facts-content'>In the early stages of basketball, players could not dribble the ball. Instead, they had to remain stationary after catching it. Dr. James Naismith saw the need for adjustments and added dribbling to the rules, revolutionizing the sport.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The NBA Was Not the First Pro Basketball League</h3><p class='facts-content'>While it's the most well-known today, NBA was preceded by the National Basketball League (NBL). The NBL was formed in 1937, nearly a decade before the NBA.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The 24-seconds Rule Transformed Basketball</h3><p class='facts-content'>Before 1954, teams controlled the ball and ran out the clock without doing anything. However, this made the game less exciting and scoring too low. In response, the NBA introduced the 24-seconds rule, which requires the offensive team to shot a basket within 24-seconds of gaining possession. This rule drastically sped up the game and increased scoring.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Basketball is a Universal Sport</h3><p class='facts-content'>Today, basketball is played at different levels and in almost every country around the world. From school teams to amateur leagues to professional leagues, it is enjoyed by millions of people and continues to gain popularity.</p></div></div>
Play Basketball Day is celebrated on December 2 every year. In 2024, Play Basketball Day will fall on a Monday.
2023
Dec 2
Saturday
2024
Dec 2
Monday
2025
Dec 2
Tuesday
2026
Dec 2
Wednesday
2027
Dec 2
Thursday
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