Dr James Naismith - Creator Of Basketball In Rare Interview 1939 WOR Radio

Canadian-born Presbyterian minister James Naismith wrote the rules for basketball as physical education instructor at a Springfield Mass YMCA in 1891. Here he is interviewed shortly before his death by radio personality Gabriel Heatter for the program "We the People," in New York, on Jan. 31, 1939 for station WOR.

Naismith reveals the game was created to keep youths occupied indoors during cold winter days. He augmented the rules to prevent carrying the ball which had led to brutal rugby like on the court violence from 9 member teams. Originally he hung actual spare peach baskets, hence the name "basket ball".

Naismith was eventually hired as a chaplain at The University of Kansas soon after creating the game, and part of his duties included teaching phys ed which eventually evolved into being the obvious choice as the Jayhawk's basketball coach. Despite supposedly "inventing" the game in 1898, he somehow became the only basketball coach with an overall losing team record in the entire history of the Kansas Jayhawks.

#HomemadeHistory #History #Sports #Achievements

[Hoops-brsg]

This is unbelievable. How had we not heard of this before?

[SaintShaun]

If only he could see how the game has transformed into from back then to now. He would be so proud 🙏🏾 bless you Mr. Naismith

[NIDELLANEUM]

I can't believe I am hearing the voice of the inventor of basketball

[jimretzer]

This is believed to be the only known audio recording of Naismith.

[johnwesleyhuss]

This is incredible. I live in kansas, it's an unbelievable feeling to have a famous nventor in kansas.

[Unknown-ncjq]

i spent more than 20 years of my life playing organized basketball full of amazing memories and meeting amazing people. Thank you Dr Naismith!

[callumbrowns]

lilmkesf this is great content I never used to like the game of basketball when i was younger now older i can appreciate the game more thank you Naismith!

[primetimericky]

Finally Canada 🇨🇦 has a NBA finals Championship.Thanks for creating this lovely game.

[roostercook]

🏀



Wow beyond words thats unbelievably outspoken

[hybrid]

He is survived by his basketball team 'children'
New York Knicks
Chicago Bulls
Milwaukee bucks
Dallas maverick
Boston Celtics
L.A. Lakers
L.A. clippers
Washington wizards
Utah jazz
Phoenix Suns
Atlanta Hawks
San Antonio spurs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Portland trail blazers
Philadelphia 76ers
New jersey/Brooklyn nets
Denver nuggets
Golden State warriors
Detroit pistons
Houston rockets
Vancouver grizzlies and
Toronto raptors.

[FlintyCobblestone]

This is like hearing an interview with George Washington!

[intellivisionmaster]

Just a thought: If Dr. Naismith knew that a league would be comprised of players, that 95% could dunk the ball, he would have placed the basket 13 feet in the air instead of 10 feet. I think the idea was to aim and shoot the ball into a very high target. Naturally pro teams have to be stacked with as many 7-foot players as they can. Frankly it ruins the intention of his game. I.e. 99.999% of the world are too short to compete professionally.

[MRFIXITZ]

I love Bill Cosby's version of the invention of Basketball 🏀😂

[justinpettit]

This is a different story than the story I always heard.

[mxp]

What kind of children were they. Talking about how they had black eyes, dislocated shoulders, wrestle matches. It’s PE. Bro kids back in the day were out to kill 😭👀

[bassrbeats]

Ghe god of the basketball (Dr james jaismith) without the creator, there is no such thing as nba all star.

[amosamwig]

nobody

Google:

You wanna know the father of nba?

[davesize]

Only KU coach with a career losing record

[mrfiness]

Basketball been around way before Naismith sorry to tell u he didn’t invent it!!

[corkystorky]

Makes me think this is fake, that it was not james naismith who really spoke. The voice was like that of a man in mid 20s.