Today, December 21, the basketball community celebrates the inaugural World Basketball Day, designated by the United Nations earlier this year. This day marks the 132nd anniversary of the sport's creation by Dr. James Naismith, who invented basketball with a set of rules at the YMCA in Springfield, MA. The first game, played in 1891, was quite rudimentary, using a soccer ball and a peach basket. Over the past 132 years, basketball has evolved significantly and become a global phenomenon, uniting people through a shared love for the game. Enthusiasts from around the world are sharing how they are celebrating and expressing gratitude for the sport that has provided a platform for unity, development, and countless memories.
A beautiful thing about basketball is that it belongs to everyone. On #WorldBasketballDay, members of the ๐บ๐ธ #USABfamily, @C_Burdick11, @LangGalloway10 & @coachswhite share how the game has impacted their lives ๐
Whether you're a top NBA Draft prospect or just hooping in your driveway, basketball is a worldwide sport for all ages! Share how you're celebrating #WorldBasketballDay with our @gleagueignite stars by tagging @NBA, @jrnba and @nbacares. https://t.co/DMQ1QIPnap
December 21, 1891: James Naismith introduced the first game of basketball. Happy 132nd birthday ๐ https://t.co/uVfXWuDnwG
December 21, 1891: James Naismith introduced the first game of basketball. Happy 132rd birthday ๐ https://t.co/UD5N6vKIj4
Happy World Basketball Day!!! @MarchMadnessMBB @MarchMadnessWBB @Hoophall: https://t.co/ux15gMbCcu
๐Celebrate the first-ever #WorldBasketballDay๐ Join our global celebration with the @utahjazz's Jordan Clarkson and share your love of the game by using #WorldBasketballDay and tagging @nba and @jrnbaโผ๏ธ https://t.co/RD1jhx15L9
Today is the first ever #WorldBasketballDay! On this day, the NABC celebrates the positive impact our game and its coaches make on communities and cultures around the world! https://t.co/R6LmiRaSPR
World Basketball Day was made for die-hard hoops lovers worldwide and should be celebrated https://t.co/CFM2kbNwvH https://t.co/ZIPGhj2qe6
Happy #WorldBasketballDay! ๐๐ค๐ https://t.co/MNmZQdR8Hu
Celebrating #WorldBasketballDay ๐๐! @FastModel marks this special occasion, commemorating the game's inception on this day in 1891 ๐. Thank you Dr. James Naismith for inventing the game we love! https://t.co/7Oi0hpv9JY
Itโs #WorldBasketballDay!! First played in 1891, basketball has created an environment and space for everyone to unite, build connections and develop their best self. Share how youโre celebrating by using #WorldBasketballDay and tagging @nba, @jrnba, and @nbacares! https://t.co/0SmiOzNCn7
Happy 132nd Birthday basketball. Thank you Dr.Naismith. ๐๐ป๐๐๐ป https://t.co/f9LAjXVoyM
Today we celebrate the inaugural #WorldBasketballDay, designated by the United Nations! ๐ Basketball holds a special place in my heart as it started in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891 and opened so many doors for me as a student-athlete on the @HarvardMBB team! https://t.co/kVC0v4dt98
Happy World Basketball Day! https://t.co/ecNwBpxI7M
Happy #WorldBasketballDay! Thank you basketball for uniting us through teamwork, perseverance & love of the game. https://t.co/DE9BbTpVkB
Happy World Basketball Day ๐ On this date in 1891 basketball was played for the first time, led by Dr. James Naismith. The United Nations designated December 21 as World Basketball Day earlier this year. #WhyD3 | #WorldBasketballDay https://t.co/pxuFCPGFKv
Itโs #WorldBasketballDay!! First played in1891, basketball has created an environment and space for everyone to unite, build connections and develop their best self. Share how youโre celebrating by using #WorldBasketballDay and tagging @nba, @jrnba, and @nbacares! https://t.co/E4NwuzOrYG
It all started with a peach basket and a leather ball. On this date 132 years ago... Dr. James Naismith invented Basketball in Springfield, Massachusetts. ๐ (๐ฅ: @NBACanada) https://t.co/yEhA3hUScM
Happy World Basketball Day. Greatest game ever invented. https://t.co/MlJOrkdnL1
The first game of "Basket Ball" was played 132 years ago today! Thank you, Dr. James Naismith https://t.co/KYVFI8Fi1B
Today is the UNโs inaugural โWorld Basketball Dayโ. Happy celebration to all you Sickos โข๏ธ. Truly grateful for this amazing sport.
Happy World Basketball Day ๐ Today, we celebrate the inaugural World Basketball Day, designated by the United Nations! #WorldBasketballDay https://t.co/FB4bSwt6QT
It all started 132 years ago today in a small gymnasium at Springfield College. To our GOAT Dr. James Naismith, thank you for creating a lifetime of memories for basketball fans around the world. Happy Birthday Basketball. ๐๐ ๐ธ: Bettmann / Contributor via Getty Images https://t.co/XreG8j3ia6
Happy World Basketball Day ๐ Today, we celebrate the inaugural World Basketball Day, designated by the United Nations, on the anniversary of the day the game was first played in 1891 ๐ #WorldBasketballDay https://t.co/4WBuYhGNmd
Good morning and happy birthday to basketball! Today in Springfield, MA in 1891, the first basketball game was played under rules invented by James Naismith. https://t.co/7re8wQgBfD
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1891, the first basketball game was played at the YMCA in Springfield, MA. James Naismith's prototype was far more crude than the sport we know today, involving a soccer ball and a peach basket. A great American sport began with these humble origins. https://t.co/cnXtP8J7Nx