The Birthplace of Basketball

Basketball is built into the fabric of Springfield College. The game was invented by Springfield College
instructor and graduate student James Naismith in 1891, and has grown into the worldwide athletic
phenomenon we know it to be today. Springfield College students continue to be innovators and leaders
in their fields. Learn how you can join the prestigious alumni network by exploring our academic
programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, offered both in-person and online.

Where Basketball Originated

It was the winter of 1891-1892. Inside a gymnasium at Springfield College (then known as the
International YMCA Training School), located in Springfield, Mass., was a group of restless college
students. The young men had to be there; they were required to participate in indoor activities to burn
off the energy that had been building up since their football season ended. The gymnasium class offered
them activities such as marching, calisthenics, and apparatus work, but these were pale substitutes for
the more exciting games of football and lacrosse they played in warmer seasons.

James Naismith, the Person Who Invented Basketball

The instructor of this class was James Naismith, a 31-year-old graduate student. After graduating from
Presbyterian College in Montreal with a theology degree, Naismith embraced his love of athletics and
headed to Springfield to study physical education—at that time, a relatively new and unknown academic
discipline—under Luther Halsey Gulick, superintendent of physical education at the College and today
renowned as the father of physical education and recreation in the United States. As Naismith, a second-
year graduate student who had been named to the teaching faculty, looked at his class, his mind flashed
to the summer session of 1891, when Gulick introduced a new course in the psychology of play. In class
discussions, Gulick had stressed the need for a new indoor game, one “that would be interesting, easy to
learn, and easy to play in the winter and by artificial light.” No one in the class had followed up on
Gulick’s challenge to invent such a game. But now, faced with the end of the fall sports season and
students dreading the mandatory and dull required gymnasium work, Naismith had a new motivation.
Two instructors had already tried and failed to devise activities that would interest the young men. The
faculty had met to discuss what was becoming a persistent problem with the class’s unbridled energy
and disinterest in required work. During the meeting, Naismith later wrote that he had expressed his
opinion that “the trouble is not with the men, but with the system that we are using.” He felt that the
kind of work needed to motivate and inspire the young men he faced “should be of a recreative nature,
something that would appeal to their play instincts.” Before the end of the faculty meeting, Gulick
placed the problem squarely in Naismith’s lap. “Naismith,” he said. “I want you to take that class and see
what you can do with it.” So Naismith went to work. His charge was to create a game that was easy to
assimilate, yet complex enough to be interesting. It had to be playable indoors or on any kind of ground,
and by a large number of players all at once. It should provide plenty of exercise, yet without the
roughness of football, soccer, or rugby since those would threaten bruises and broken bones if played in
a confined space. Much time and thought went into this new creation. It became an adaptation of many
games of its time, including American rugby (passing), English rugby (the jump ball), lacrosse (use of a
goal), 2 soccer (the shape and size of the ball), and something called duck on a rock, a game Naismith
had played with his childhood friends in Bennie’s Corners, Ontario. Duck on a rock used a ball and a goal
that could not be rushed. The goal could not be slammed through, thus necessitating “a goal with a
horizontal opening high enough so that the ball would have to be tossed into it, rather than being
thrown.” Naismith approached the school janitor, hoping he could find two, 18-inch square boxes to use
as goals. The janitor came back with two peach baskets instead. Naismith then nailed them to the lower
rail of the gymnasium balcony, one at each end. The height of that lower balcony rail happened to be
ten feet. A man was stationed at each end of the balcony to pick the ball from the basket and put it back
into play. It wasn’t until a few years later that the bottoms of those peach baskets were cut to let the
ball fall loose. Naismith then drew up the 13 original rules, which described, among other facets, the
method of moving the ball and what constituted a foul. A referee was appointed. The game would be
divided into two, 15-minute halves with a five-minute resting period in between. Naismith’s secretary
typed up the rules and tacked them on the bulletin board. A short time later, the gym class met, and the
teams were chosen with three centers, three forwards, and three guards per side. Two of the centers
met at mid-court, Naismith tossed the ball, and the game of “basketball” was born.

The Year Basketball was Invented

Word of the new game spread like wildfire. It was an instant success. A few weeks after the game was
invented, students introduced the game at their own YMCAs. The rules were printed in a College
magazine, which was mailed to YMCAs around the country. Because of the College’s well-represented
international student body, the game of basketball was introduced to many foreign nations in a
relatively short period of time. High schools and colleges began to introduce the new game, and by
1905, basketball was officially recognized as a permanent winter sport. The rules have been tinkered
with, but by-and-large, the game of “basketball” has not changed drastically since Naismith’s original list
of “Thirteen Rules” was tacked up on a bulletin board at Springfield College.

History of FIBA

The International Basketball Federation, more commonly known by the French acronym FIBA
(Fédération International de Basketball), is an association of national organizations which governs
international competition in basketball. The association was founded in Geneva on 18 June 1932, two
years after the sport was officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Its original
name was Fédération International de Basketball Amateur.

Eight nations were founding members: Argentina, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Portugal,
Romania and Switzerland. At the 1936 Summer Olympic Games in Berlin, FIBA named James Naismith
(1861-1939), the founder of basketball, as its Honorary President. FIBA has organized the FIBA
Basketball World Cup since 1950 and the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup since 1953. Both events
are now held every four years, alternating with the Olympics.

In 1989 FIBA opened the door to Olympic participation by professionals such as players from the NBA in
the United States. At this point, the Fédération International de Basketball Amateur became the
Fédération International de Basketball, but retained FIBA as its abbreviation.

The Federation's headquarters moved to Munich in 1956 and returned to Geneva in 2002. To celebrate
its 81st anniversary, the House of Basketball was inaugurated on 18 June 2013 in Mies, on the outskirts
of Geneva. This marked an historic moment and a significant milestone in the life of world basketball's
governing body. The Naismith Arena is a 1,000 square meter exhibition and event area dedicated to
basketball lovers of all ages that aims to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the sport. It
exhibits a large collection of basketball objects, books and art and it is a place to honor and remember
those who made the game (Hall of Fame).

History of NBA (National Basketball Association)

National Basketball Association (NBA), professional basketball league formed in the United States in
1949 by the merger of two rival organizations, the National Basketball League (founded 1937) and the
Basketball Association of America (founded 1946). In 1976 the NBA absorbed four teams from the
American Basketball Association (ABA), which disbanded that year. By the early 1980s the NBA was
plagued by money-losing franchises, low attendance, declining television ratings, and limited national
appeal. The league soon rebounded under the leadership of David Stern, NBA commissioner from 1984,
who helped transform it into an international entertainment company. Aggressive marketing highlighted
star players such as Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and, especially, Michael Jordan. Other innovations
included league limits on player salaries, lucrative broadcast rights for network and cable television, and
expanded All-Star Game festivities.

The NBA membership was divided into two conferences, each with three divisions. There were 30
teams, aligned as follows:

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division: Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia
76ers, Toronto Raptors

Central Division: Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks

Southeast Division: Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards
Western Conference

Southwest Division: Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, San
Antonio Spurs

Northwest Division: Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail
Blazers, Utah Jazz

Pacific Division: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns,
Sacramento Kings The top-ranking teams at the end of each season engage in a play-off to determine
the NBA champion, which claims the title of world champion. Probably the most outstanding team in
NBA history was the Boston Celtics, which, led by center Bill Russell, won 11 of 13 titles from 1956–57 to
1968–69. Other dominant clubs were the Minneapolis (later Los Angeles) Lakers in the 1950s, the Los
Angeles Lakers in the ’80s, and the Chicago Bulls in the ’90s.

NBA Championship

Winners of the National Basketball Association championship are provided in the table. National
Basketball Association (NBA) Championship

Season winner runner-up results 1946–47 Philadelphia Warriors Chicago Stags 4–1 1947–48 Baltimore
Bullets Philadelphia Warriors 4–2 1948–49 Minneapolis Lakers Washington Capitals 4–2 1949–50
Minneapolis Lakers Syracuse Nationals 4–2 1950–51 Rochester Royals New York Knickerbockers 4–3
1951–52 Minneapolis Lakers New York Knickerbockers 4–3 1952–53 Minneapolis Lakers New York
Knickerbockers 4–1 1953–54 Minneapolis Lakers Syracuse Nationals 4–3 1954–55 Syracuse Nationals
Fort Wayne Pistons 4–3 1955–56 Philadelphia Warriors Fort Wayne Pistons 4–1 1956–57 Boston Celtics
St. Louis Hawks 4–3 1957–58 St. Louis Hawks Boston Celtics 4–2 1958–59 Boston Celtics Minneapolis
Lakers 4–0 1959–60 Boston Celtics St. Louis Hawks 4–3 1960–61 Boston Celtics St. Louis Hawks 4–1
1961–62 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4–3 1962–63 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4–2 1963–64
Boston Celtics San Francisco Warriors 4–1 1964–65 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4–1 1965–66
Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4–3 1966–67 Philadelphia 76ers San Francisco Warriors 4–2 1967–68
Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4–2 1968–69 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4–3 1969–70 New York
Knickerbockers Los Angeles Lakers 4–3 1970–71 Milwaukee Bucks Baltimore Bullets 4–0 1971–72 Los
Angeles Lakers New York Knickerbockers 4–1 1972–73 New York Knickerbockers Los Angeles Lakers 4–1
1973–74 Boston Celtics Milwaukee Bucks 4–3 1974–75 Golden State Warriors Washington Bullets 4–0
1975–76 Boston Celtics Phoenix Suns 4–2 1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers Philadelphia 76ers 4–2 1977–
78 Washington Bullets Seattle SuperSonics 4–3 1978–79 Seattle SuperSonics Washington Bullets 4–1
1979–80 Los Angeles Lakers Philadelphia 76ers 4–2 1980–81 Boston Celtics Houston Rockets 4–2 1981–
82 Los Angeles Lakers Philadelphia 76ers 4–2 1982–83 Philadelphia 76ers Los Angeles Lakers 4–0 1983–
84 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4–3 1984–85 Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics 4–2 1985–86
Boston Celtics Houston Rockets 4–2 1986–87 Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics 4–2 1987–88 Los Angeles
Lakers Detroit Pistons 4–3 1988–89 Detroit Pistons Los Angeles Lakers 4–0 1989–90 Detroit Pistons
Portland Trail Blazers 4–1 1990–91 Chicago Bulls Los Angeles Lakers 4–1 1991–92 Chicago Bulls Portland
Trail Blazers 4–2 1992–93 Chicago Bulls Phoenix Suns 4–2 1993–94 Houston Rockets New York
Knickerbockers 4–3 1994–95 Houston Rockets Orlando Magic 4–0 1995–96 Chicago Bulls Seattle
SuperSonics 4–2 1996–97 Chicago Bulls Utah Jazz 4–2 1997–98 Chicago Bulls Utah Jazz 4–2 1998–99 San
Antonio Spurs New York Knickerbockers 4–1 1999–2000 Los Angeles Lakers Indiana Pacers 4–2 2000–01
Los Angeles Lakers Philadelphia 76ers 4–1 2001–02 Los Angeles Lakers New Jersey Nets 4–0 2002–03
San Antonio Spurs New Jersey Nets 4–2 2003–04 Detroit PistonsLos Angeles Lakers 4–1 2004–05 San
Antonio Spurs Detroit Pistons 4–3 2005–06 Miami Heat Dallas Mavericks 4–2 2006–07 San Antonio
Spurs Cleveland Cavaliers 4–0 2007–08 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4–2 2008–09 Los Angeles
Lakers Orlando Magic 4–1 2009–10 Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics 4–3 2010–11 Dallas Mavericks
Miami Heat 4–2 2011–12 Miami Heat Oklahoma City Thunder 4–1 2012–13 Miami Heat San Antonio
Spurs 4–3 2013–14 San Antonio Spurs Miami Heat 4–1 2014–15 Golden State Warriors Cleveland
Cavaliers 4–2 2015–16 Cleveland Cavaliers Golden State Warriors 4–3 2016–17 Golden State Warriors
Cleveland Cavaliers 4–1 2017–18 Golden State Warriors Cleveland Cavaliers 4–0 2018–19 Toronto
Raptors Golden State Warriors 4–2 2019–20 Los Angeles Lakers Miami Heat 4–2

Shortest player in the history of NBA

Muggsy Bogues Height: 5 feet, 3 inches
Muggsy Bogues is the shortest player to ever play on the NBA. At 5 feet, 3 inches, he had a long career
(from 1987 to 2001) playing for the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and
Miami Heat, earning an average of 7.7 points per game. He notably played against Bol during the 1987-
88 season. There’s a difference of more than two feet between the players!

Tallest players in the history of NBA

Gheorghe Mureșan Height: 7 feet, 7 inches
Gheorghe Mureșan is 7 feet, 7 inches tall, meaning that he ties with Manute Bol for the tallest player in
NBA history. However, Mureșan appears to be slightly taller than Bol — Bol was measured at 7 feet, 6
3/4 inches when his height was recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records. In the early ’90s, the
Romanian-born Mureșan scored an average of 9.8 points per game and blocked 455 shots during his
NBA career, which only lasted five years.

Manute Bol Height: 7 feet, 7 inches

Manute Bol, who died in 2010, was legendary for his height. Standing at 7 feet, 7 inches tall, Bol was
known for his incredible blocking ability, as well as for the fact that he blocked more shots than he ever
scored during his time in the NBA. And because Bol — who played for the Washington Bullets, Golden
State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat — was recruited to play in America from Sudan and
didn’t know how old he was, his former college coach believes it’s possible Bol was in his late 40s or
even his early 50s when he was playing in the NBA.

First true Blooded Asian to play in the history of NBA

Wataru "Wat" Misaka (December 21, 1923 – November 20, 2019) Was an American professional
basketball player. A 5-foot-7-inch (1.70 m) point guard of Japanese descent, he broke the color barrier in
professional basketball by being the first non-white player and the first player of Asian descent to play in
the National Basketball Association (NBA), known then as the Basketball Association of America (BAA).
Misaka played college basketball for the Utah Utes and led the team to win the 1944 NCAA and 1947 NIT
championships. He took a two-year hiatus between these titles to serve in the United States Army in the
American occupation of Japan. Misaka subsequently played three games for the New York Knicks during
the 1947–48 season.

Youngest player to play in the history of NBA

Andrew Bynum, the youngest player to ever play in the NBA was Andrew Bynum who played his first
game at the age of 18 years and 6 days old.[90] Bynum, who was also the youngest player ever selected
in the NBA Draft, went into the NBA straight out of high school

History of PBA (Philippine Basketball Association)

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines
composed of twelve company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball
league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA. The league's regulations are a hybrid of
rules from the NBA and FIBA. The league played its first game at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on
April 9, 1975. Their main offices are located along Eulogio Rodriguez Jr. Avenue (C-5 road), Eastwood
City, Libis, Quezon City. The league is currently headed by Commissioner Willie Marcial. The Philippine
Basketball Association was founded when nine teams left the now-defunct Manila Industrial and
Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA), which was tightly controlled by the Basketball Association of
the Philippines (BAP), the FIBA-recognized national association at the time. With the BAP controlling the
MICAA, the league was de jure amateur, as players were only paid allowances. This is much like what
was done in other countries to circumvent the amateur requirement and to play in FIBA-sanctioned
tournaments such as the Olympics. MICAA team owners are not pleased on how BAP, then led by
Gonzalo "Lito" Puyat are taking away their players to join the national team without consulting them
first. The teams that bolted away from the MICAA are the Carrier Weathermakers, Crispa Redmanizers,
Mariwasa-Noritake Porcelainmakers, Presto Ice Cream, Royal Tru-Orange, Seven-Up Uncolas, Tanduay
Distillery, Toyota Comets and the U/Tex Weavers. Leopoldo Prieto, the coach for the Philippines at the
1956 Melbourne Olympics, was appointed as the first commissioner and Emerson Coseteng of
Mariwasa-Noritake was chosen as the first president of the league's Board of Governors. The first game
of the league was held at the Araneta Coliseum on April 9, 1975, featuring Mariwasa-Noritake and
Concepcion Carrier. The league's first 10 years was known for the intense rivalry of the Crispa
Redmanizers and the Toyota Tamaraws, still considered as one of the greatest rivalries in league history.
Big names such as Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez, Francis Arnaiz, Atoy Co, Bogs Adornado and
Philip Cezar played for those squads before the two teams disbanded in 1983 and 1984 respectively.
Following their disbandment, the league moved from the Araneta Coliseum to ULTRA in Pasig. There,
the league continued to be popular, as several former Toyota and Crispa players suited up for different
teams. During the mid to late 80s, Jaworski and Ginebra San Miguel became the league's most popular
squad for their "never say die" attitude. The team had intense rivalries with the Tanduay Rhum Makers
and Jaworski's thenrival Fernandez, and later the expansion Purefoods Corporation and players Alvin
Patrimonio, Jerry Codiñera, Jojo Lastimosa and Fernandez. By the end of the 1980s, San Miguel Beer
won numerous championships that included the 1989 Grand Slam, led by coach Norman Black and
former national team stars Samboy Lim and Hector Calma. In 1989, FIBA voted to allow professionals to
play in their sanctioned tournaments, hence the PBA's players are now able to represent the country
internationally. In 1990, the league sent its first all-professional squad to the Asian Games, earning a
silver medal. The PBA would later send three more all-pro squads to the event. The early 1990s saw
Ginebra and Shell forming an intense rivalry that included Ginebra's walkout in 1990 finals against Shell
and the team's dramatic comeback from a 3-1 deficit to beat Shell in the 1991 First Conference.
Patrimonio, Allan Caidic, and a host of others became the league's main attraction. By 1993, the league
moved to the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay and later saw the Alaska Milkmen win the 1996 grand slam
and nine titles in the decade. From 1999-2000, the PBA endured controversy. Several expatriate cagers
arrived on the scene (such as Asi Taulava, Danny Seigle and Eric Menk). Their lineage was questionable
and most of them were deported for falsifying documents. The arrival of dozens of these players was a
counter to the fledging Metropolitan Basketball Association, a regional-based professional league
formed in 1998. After ABS-CBN's 2001 abandonment, the MBA faced mounting expenses and would fold
within a year. Despite the MBA's disbandment and the arrival of those players to the PBA, attendance
went sour for the PBA in 2002 and was even worse the following year. In 2004, the league introduced
drastic scheduling changes, when it decided to begin the season in October instead of January. The
change in starting the season allowed the league to accommodate international tournaments held from
June to September and it fit better with college hoops, the NCAA and the UAAP, whose seasons run
from June to October. The league also reduced the number of conferences from three to two, renaming
the All-Filipino Cup as the Philippine Cup and introducing a new import laden tournament named as the
Fiesta Conference. To accommodate these changes, a transitional tournament, the 2004 PBA Fiesta
Conference was held from February to July, which was won by the Barangay Ginebra Kings. The league
also began to hold the annual All-Star weekend in the provinces, alternating from Luzon and
Visayas/Mindanao provinces every year. The league regained some popularity by this year, thanks in
large part to Barangay Ginebra's three PBA championships led by Eric Menk, Jayjay Helterbrand and
Mark Caguioa. Solid marketing and arrival of collegiate stars from the UAAP and the NCAA also worked
in the PBA's favor. By 2005, the league would take on the role of Philippine national representation
under Chot Reyes, when FIBA lifted the suspension of the country following the formation of the
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas despite a ninth-place finish in the 2007 FIBA Asia Championship. In
2009, however, the all-amateur Smart Gilas team became the country's official representative in
international competitions. The PBA's role in forming a national team was thus reduced to sending up
reinforcements to beef up the national squad. After the appointment of Chito Salud, son of former
commissioner Rudy Salud as the commissioner of the PBA, the league returned the three-conference
format starting in the 2010-11 season. This also ushered the return of the previously retired
conferences, the Commissioner's and Governors' cups. The beginning of 2010's also saw the dominance
of the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters, who nearly got the Grand Slam in the 2010–11 season and won the
Philippine Cup in three consecutive years (2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13) enabling them to permanently
keep possession of the Jun Bernardino Trophy, the trophy given to the Philippine Cup champions. On
May 19, 2013, the third game of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals between the Alaska Aces and the
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel set the all-time basketball attendance record of 23,436 at the Smart
Araneta Coliseum, which broke the previous record of 23,108 set 11 days earlier that featured the
semifinals series doubleheader between Alaska vs. San Mig Coffee and Barangay Ginebra vs. Talk 'N
Text. This record was eventually broken on February 12, 2014, when the seventh game of the 2013-14
PBA Philippine Cup Semifinals series between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and San Mig Super Coffee
Mixers set the all-time basketball attendance record of 24,883. The 2013–14 season became historic as
the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers became the fourth team to win the Grand Slam. Tim Cone, the coach of
the Coffee Mixers also made history when he became the first coach to win two Grand Slams. For the
2014–15 season, the league expanded to twelve teams, after accepting two new franchises: Kia Sorento
and Blackwater Elite. The league held its opening ceremonies at the Philippine Arena and set an alltime
Philippine basketball attendance record of 52,612. On February 15, 2015, in the middle of the 2014–15
PBA season, commissioner Chito Salud announced that he will step down as the league's commissioner
and was succeeded by Chito Narvasa starting the 2015–16 PBA season. Salud was then appointed as the
President and CEO of the league, when the board of governors decided to restructure the league and
create the President/CEO position to manage the league's marketing, expansion and business-related
matters. The Commissioner (who will also be the league's Chief Operating Officer) will handle game-
related matters. Salud, however, also stepped down as the league's President and CEO on December 31,
2015 and was replaced by incumbent PBA chairman Robert Non. The board of governors later appointed
Chito Narvasa as the President and CEO. The said position was eventually dissolved before the start of
the 2016 Governors' Cup.

Tallest player in the history of PBA

Edward Joseph "E. J." Feihl (born March 27, 1970) is a Filipino retired basketball player of German-
Filipino descent. He stands 7'1" tall, making him the tallest Filipino professional basketball player ever to
play in the PBA to date.[citation needed] At the UAAP, Feihl debuted for the UST Growling Tigers in 1990
but decided to play for the Adamson Soaring Falcons the following season. In 1992, he helped the
collegiate team reach the final but conceded the title to FEU. He represented the Philippines in several
international competitions. Feihl was drafted by Ginebra San Miguel in 1995 and played for two seasons
with the team. A controversial talk about a contract extension led to Feihl's departure in 1997. He then
played briefly for the AMA Cybertigers in the Philippine Basketball League.
Shortest Player in the history of PBA

Mark Lu Cruz (born July 27, 1992) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Pampanga Giant
Lanterns of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He is the smallest active player in the
league today, earning the moniker Ant Man. Cruz studied at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran and
played for the Letran Knights varsity squad. Teaming up with Kevin Alas and Raymond Almazan, and
later Kevin Racal and Rey Nambatac, he propelled the Knights to the finals in 2012 and 2013, only to lose
to the San Beda Red Lions on both occasions. After missing the Final Four the year before, he flourished
under new coach Aldin Ayo, leading the Knights in his final collegiate year. In 2015, he led the Knights to
an NCAA Championship against their nemesis San Beda, ending a 10-year title drought. He was awarded
the Finals MVP. Cruz was drafted 30th overall in the 2015 Rookie Draft by the Star Hotshots. Unlike his
fellow rookies, he signed a one-conference contract with the Hotshots. In his PBA debut he tallied 7
points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal in a loss to the San Miguel Beermen. On May 2016, Cruz was traded by
Star to Phoenix Fuel Masters in a three-team trade that also involved GlobalPort Batang Pier

History of MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League)

The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is a regional men's semi-professional basketball
league in the Philippines. Manny Pacquiao launched the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on August
29, 2017.[2] According to Pacquiao, the league is not intended to be a competitor to the Philippine
Basketball Association, the country's top professional basketball league. The MPBL will feature both a
regional commercial and barangay-level league with teams on the commercial side to have a home
locality in addition to a corporate sponsor. In the first months, the league hosted teams from Luzon with
future plans to expand to accommodate teams based in Visayas and Mindanao like the defunct
Metropolitan Basketball Association. It is planned that an expanded MPBL will have two conferences,
North and South, where the best teams from both divisions will face in the finals similar to the format of
the National Basketball Association of the United States. The league was planned to start as early as
September 23, 2017 with at least six teams. A pre-season was held with the Bulacan Kuyas finishing as
champions. The inaugural cup of the MPBL, the Anta Rajah Cup commenced on January 25, 2018 and
was participated in by ten teams. In the opening game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Parañaque
Patriots secured a 70-60 victory over the Caloocan Supremos. The first conference ran until April 19,
2018 where the Batangas City Athletics crowned as the league's first-ever champion. After the Anta
Rajah Cup, the MPBL conducted staging of the second conference, which was patterned after the
National Basketball Association (NBA). The tournament began on June 12, 2018, coinciding with the
Philippine Independence Day celebration, with additional expansion teams including from the Visayas
and Mindanao region will set to join the year-long conference divided into Northern and Southern
Conferences. The two winning teams from the divisions will face off in the National Championships and
the winner will bring home a 10-million pesos worth trophy and ball rings to be given for the members
of the champion squad. After its inaugural cup, the 2018 Anta Rajah Cup, the MPBL had expanded its
roster of teams to 26. All teams are expected to play in the next cup. After the ten expansion teams
were admitted into the league, it closed its doors for new applicants from Luzon. This was done to leave
room for future Visayas and Mindanao teams. A meeting in Cebu was held on April 28 for potential
Visayas and Mindanao teams. Davao Occidental Tigers became the first MPBL team from the Visayas-
Mindanao region. The 2019–20 season was postponed or indefinitely and the 2020–21 season was
cancelled altogether due to the COVID-19 pandemic

NBA Trivia

Shortest player in the history of NBA

Muggsy Bogues Height: 5 feet, 3 inches
Muggsy Bogues is the shortest player to ever play on the NBA. At 5 feet, 3 inches, he had a long career
(from 1987 to 2001) playing for the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and
Miami Heat, earning an average of 7.7 points per game. He notably played against Bol during the 1987-
88 season. There’s a difference of more than two feet between the players!

Current Shortest NBA Player

Chris Clemons, 5’9” Houston Rockets
The shortest current NBA player is Houston Rockets guard Chris Clemons, who stands 5ft 9in tall
(1.75m). Clemons went undrafted in 2019 but joined the Rockets during the Summer League and has
played 33 games for them so far.

Tallest players in the history of NBA

Gheorghe Mureșan Height: 7 feet, 7 inches
Gheorghe Mureșan is 7 feet, 7 inches tall, meaning that he ties with Manute Bol for the tallest player in
NBA history. However, Mureșan appears to be slightly taller than Bol — Bol was measured at 7 feet, 6
3/4 inches when his height was recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records. In the early ’90s, the
Romanian-born Mureșan scored an average of 9.8 points per game and blocked 455 shots during his
NBA career, which only lasted five years.

Manute Bol Height: 7 feet, 7 inches

Manute Bol, who died in 2010, was legendary for his height. Standing at 7 feet, 7 inches tall, Bol was
known for his incredible blocking ability, as well as for the fact that he blocked more shots than he ever
scored during his time in the NBA. And because Bol — who played for the Washington Bullets, Golden
State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat — was recruited to play in America from Sudan and
didn’t know how old he was, his former college coach believes it’s possible Bol was in his late 40s or
even his early 50s when he was playing in the NBA.

Current Tallest NBA Player

Tacko Fall, 7’6”, Boston Celtics
Elhadji Tacko Sereigne Diop Fall (born December 10, 1995) is a Senegalese professional basketball
player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with
the Maine Red Claws of the NBA G League. Fall was born and raised in Dakar, Senegal. He moved to the
United States at age 16 and later played college basketball for the University of Central Florida. Fall went
undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, but later signed with the Boston Celtics. Fall is the tallest current
NBA/G League player, is the tallest player in G League history, and is one of the tallest living humans.
When measured at the 2019 NBA Draft Combine, he set all-time NBA records for tallest height in shoes
(7 ft 7 in, 2.31 m), largest wingspan (8 ft 2.25 in, 250 cm), and highest standing reach (10 ft 2.5 in, 3.11
m). He was later measured at 7 ft 5 in (2.26 m) without shoes; thus, the NBA lists his height as 7 ft 5 in.

First true Blooded Asian to play in the history of NBA

Wataru "Wat" Misaka (December 21, 1923 – November 20, 2019) Was an American professional
basketball player. A 5-foot-7-inch (1.70 m) point guard of Japanese descent, he broke the color barrier in
professional basketball by being the first non-white player and the first player of Asian descent to play in
the National Basketball Association (NBA), known then as the Basketball Association of America (BAA).
Misaka played college basketball for the Utah Utes and led the team to win the 1944 NCAA and 1947 NIT
championships. He took a two-year hiatus between these titles to serve in the United States Army in the
American occupation of Japan. Misaka subsequently played three games for the New York Knicks during
the 1947–48 season.

Youngest player to play in the history of NBA

Andrew Bynum, the youngest player to ever play in the NBA was Andrew Bynum who played his first
game at the age of 18 years and 6 days old.[90] Bynum, who was also the youngest player ever selected
in the NBA Draft, went into the NBA straight out of high school

Most MVP’s Awards in NBA

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won the award a record six times. He is also the only player to win the award
despite his team not making the playoffs back in the 1975–76 season.
• Bill Russell and Michael Jordan won the award five times,
• Wilt Chamberlain and LeBron James won the award four times. Russell and James are the only players
to have won the award four times in five seasons.
• Moses Malone, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson each won the award three times, while Bob Pettit, Karl
Malone, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, Stephen Curry
• Giannis Antetokounmpo have each won it twice.
• Russell, Chamberlain, and Bird are the only three players to win the award three consecutive years in
a row. Bill Russell and Dave Cowens are the only two players to win the award and not be named to
First-Team All NBA.
• Only two rookies have won the award: Chamberlain in the 1959–60 season and Wes Unseld in the
1968–69 season.
Hakeem Olajuwon of Nigeria,
Duncan of the U.S. Virgin Islands,
Nash of Canada,
Dirk Nowitzki of Germany, and
Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece are the only MVP winners considered "international players" by the
NBA.

Stephen Curry in 2015–16 is the only player to have won the award unanimously. Shaquille O'Neal in
1999– 2000 and James in 2012–13 are the only two players to have fallen one vote shy of a unanimous
selection, both receiving 120 of 121 votes.[e][5] Since the 1975–76 season, only two players have been
named MVP for a season in which their team failed to win at least 50 regular-season games—Moses
Malone (twice, 1978– 79 and 1981–82) and Russell Westbrook (2016–17)

Highest Paid NBA Players

1. LeBron James:
$134.9 million Salary:
$54.8 million Endorsements: $80.6 million
2. Stephen Curry: $124.9 million Salary:
$58.9 million Endorsements: $66 million
3. Kevin Durant: $107.3 million Salary:
$56 million Endorsements: $51.3 million

Most Championship Rings in NBA History

✓ Bill Russel, 11 Championship Rings (Boston Celtics)
Most Scored Points in a single game
✓ Wilt Chamberlain

PBA Trivia
Tallest player in the history of PBA
Edward Joseph "E. J." Feihl (born March 27, 1970) is a Filipino retired basketball player of
GermanFilipino descent. He stands 7'1" tall, making him the tallest Filipino professional basketball player
ever to play in the PBA to date.[citation needed] At the UAAP, Feihl debuted for the UST Growling Tigers
in 1990 but decided to play for the Adamson Soaring Falcons the following season. In 1992, he helped
the collegiate team reach the final but conceded the title to FEU. He represented the Philippines in
several international competitions. Feihl was drafted by Ginebra San Miguel in 1995 and played for two
seasons with the team. A controversial talk about a contract extension led to Feihl's departure in 1997.
He then played briefly for the AMA Cybertigers in the Philippine Basketball League.

Current Tallest Player in PBA

Gregory William Slaughter, 7’0” Born May 19, 1988 is a Filipino-American professional basketball player
who last played for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He
was selected first overall by the Barangay Ginebra in the 2013 PBA draft. Sports commentators and
scribes call him GregZilla because of his apparent heft and height. Greg's father is 6'3", while his mother
is 5'7". Both of his parents were health physicists at nuclear power plants. He was born in Ohio and grew
up in Virginia, finishing at Massaponax High School. In 2007, his family moved to Cebu, the hometown of
his mother. He quickly learned Cebuano and was convinced by his maternal uncles to play competitive
basketball. He studied and played for the University of the Visayas from 2007-2009 and took up Political
Science. He transferred to Ateneo de Manila University in 2010 and became an eligible player in 2011. In
his two seasons for the Blue Eagles, he averaged 13.1 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.8 APG 2.9 BPG and 49.7 FG%, and
he placed second in rebounds and blocks.

Shortest Player in the history of PBA

Mark Lu Cruz (born July 27, 1992) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Pampanga Giant
Lanterns of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He is the smallest active player in the
league today, earning the moniker Ant Man. Cruz studied at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran and
played for the Letran Knights varsity squad. Teaming up with Kevin Alas and Raymond Almazan, and
later Kevin Racal and Rey Nambatac, he propelled the Knights to the finals in 2012 and 2013, only to lose
to the San Beda Red Lions on both occasions. Cruz was drafted 30th overall in the 2015 Rookie Draft by
the Star Hotshots. Unlike his fellow rookies, he signed a one-conference contract with the Hotshots. In
his PBA debut he tallied 7 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal in a loss to the San Miguel Beermen. On May
2016, Cruz was traded by Star to Phoenix Fuel Masters in a three-team trade that also involved
GlobalPort Batang Pier.

Current Shortest PBA player

Mike Gamboa, 5’6” (Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters) Gamboa started his basketball career at Ateneo
before moving to University of the Philippines in the UAAP but decided he would go into the corporate
life when he graduated in 2013. Following a year of working in an office, Gamboa tirelessly worked hard
in achieving the dream he almost lost. He eventually became the ninth pick in the second round of the
2014 PBA Rookie Draft by Rain or Shine

Highest Paid PBA players

Top 1-5 Highest paid PBA players this 2019 PBA season
Top 1 - June Mar Fajardo
Team: San Miguel Beermen
Salary: P465,000 per month
Top 2 - Greg Slaughter
Team: Brgy. Ginebra
Salary: P450,000 per month Most MVP awards in PBA

✓ June Mar Fajardo won the award a record six straight times from 2014 to 2019,
✓ Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio won the award four times.
✓ Benjie Paras remains the only rookie to have ever won the award to date, which he did during
the 1989 season.
Player who has the most Championship Rings in PBA
✓ San Miguel veteran Yancy De Ocampo currently holds the most championships with 12 overall rings.
The older De Ocampo first captured his title with the TNT franchise then he would proceed to win a
Grandslam trophy with B-Meg Llamados (now Magnolia Hotshots).

Player who most scored points in a single game in PBA

✓ Allan Caidic (Presto Tivoli) record 79-point game withstands test of time. Presto Tivoli defeated
Barangay Ginebra 162-149, last November 1991.

BASKETBALL
Basketball – A Brief Basketball is a much-loved sport all across the world. It is popular because it can be
played as a competitive sport or a casual game on the local court. It is also a great way to work out as it
involves using your entire body. It is a fast-paced game that involves a good deal of jumping and running
which is a fantastic way to exercise. If you want a sport that helps you stay fit and healthy, basketball is
the perfect choice as it comes with more than a few health benefits.

Following are the health benefits of basketball.

1. Promotes Cardiovascular Health Basketball is great for your heart health! Because you keep moving,
your heart rate increases. It also helps in building endurance, which is important when you want to
make sure that your heart is healthy. It will help lower the risk of stroke and heart disease later in your
life.
2. Burns Calories Do you want to shed a few extra kilos? Play basketball! All the quick lateral
movements, running and jumping, gives you an aerobic workout that in turn can help you burn a lot of
calories. For every hour of basketball, a person who weighs 165 pounds can expect to burn about 600
calories while a person who weighs 250 pounds can expect to burn approximately 900 calories.
3. Builds Bone Strength The physical demands of this awesome sport help in improving and building
bone strength. Any physical activity that involves weight-bearing allows the formation of new bone
tissue, and this in turn makes the bones stronger. Both the muscles and bones in your body become
stronger with basketball as it is a physical activity that involves the tugging and pushing of muscles
against bone.
4. Boosts the Immune System When you play basketball or any other sport, it helps in reducing stress.
When stress is decreased, you will have more energy and focus to complete tasks. It also makes you
more social, which in turns helps in preventing depression. When stress is lowered, your immune system
gets a boost as well.
5. Provides Strength Training By playing basketball, you get an excellent full-body workout. This helps
in the development of lean muscle. It can help develop your lower back, neck, deltoids, traps and core
muscles. It also makes your legs stronger, and the movements like shooting and dribbling help
strengthen your arms, hand muscles and wrist flexors.
6. Boosts Mental Development Basketball may be a fast-paced game that requires a lot of physical
skills, but it is also a mind game that requires you to think on your toes. It requires you to have a lot of
focus so that you can accurately and quickly process the action on the court and make decisions that are
effective with the ball. It also requires you to train yourself so that you can observe your opponents and
teammates constantly and make quick decisions based on their actions.
7. Develops Better Coordination and Motor Skills Basketball requires excellent hand-eye coordination
as well as full-body coordination. When you play this sport, it gives you the training to help develop
these skills. Dribbling gives you training for hand-eye coordination while rebounding shots that are
missed gives you the training to develop full-body coordination.
8. Develops Self-Discipline and Concentration As with other sports, there are rules that need to be
followed when you play basketball. When you break these rules, it can lead to penalties for you as well
as your team. It helps you develop self-discipline that is important as it encourages you to be more
competitive and fairer at the same time. It also keeps your mind focused and alert.
9. Improves Awareness of Space and Body Basketball is a game that requires spatial awareness. You
need to know where you are positioned to make that perfect shot or play defense effectively. When you
have an awareness of the space and body, you will know exactly where you need to be when your
teammate or opponent makes a shot or passes the ball. When your spatial awareness is improved, it
also helps in keeping you in balance.

10. Boosts Confidence One of the best benefits of playing basketball is that it truly boosts one’s
confidence. Being a good player and being a member of a great team can do wonders to increase your
self-esteem and help you gain more confidence. When your confidence is boosted, your faith in your
skills is also increased. Being confident allows you to face life with an improved disposition and has a
positive effect on every aspect of your life. The fast-paced action involved in basketball makes it one of
the most exciting games to play and watch in the world. The fact that it provides numerous benefits is
an excellent bonus. It is no wonder that the President of the US has made it a part of his regular workout
regimen to keep himself physically and mentally fit. It is a great game for both adults and children. If you
are looking to play a sport that gives you multiple benefits, both physically and mentally, this is the one
for you.

Tips
Always warm up and stretch your joints and muscles before you hit the court. Make it a point to stretch
and cool down after a game as well. Basketball is a physically demanding game. It is important to have
plenty of fluids on hand so that you can rehydrate your body at regular intervals. Because of the physical
demands, it is important that you keep yourself flexible and strong. With the many benefits of
basketball, it is the perfect reason for you to pick up a ball and start shooting some hoops. It can be
played alone or with friends – no matter what you choose, you get a great workout. By making this sport
a part of your fitness routine, you ensure that you stay physically and mentally fit and active for many
years.

Terminologies in Basketball

A
Air ball: A shot that misses the rim or backboard.
Alternating Possession Rule: The possession arrow changes direction after each subsequent jump ball or
held ball situation, alternating which team gets possession for the throw-in. The first possession after a
held ball goes to the team who lost the opening jump ball to begin the game.
Assist: A pass to a teammate that results in a made basket.

B
Backboard: The flat surface directly behind the basket. The basket is connected to the backboard.
Backdoor: An offensive move where a player cuts behind the defenders and receives a pass for a field-
goal attempt.
Ball Handler: The player with the ball. Usually the guard at the start of the play.
Bank Shot: A shot where the ball is first bounced or banked off the backboard at such an angle that it
then drops into the basket.
Basket: Consists of the rim and the net, also known a ‘the hoop’.
Basketball: A round ball made of rubber, leather or synthetic leather. Comes in 3 different sizes (size 5, 6
or 7).
Blind Pass: A pass from a ball handler who does not see their receiver but is estimating where they
should be.
Blocked Shot: The successful deflection of a shot by touching part of the ball on its way to the basket,
and preventing a field goal.
Blocking: The use of a defender’s body position to legally prevent an opponent’s advance. It is the
opposite of charging.
Boards: The backboard which the ring or basket is attached or slang for a ‘rebound’ – the act of a player
grabbing the ball after a missed shot attempt.
Boxing out: The defensive player turns and faces the basket following a shot and with his or her back to
the opponent, and ensures that the player being guarded can’t ‘rebound’ the ball.

C
Charging: An offensive foul, which occurs when an offensive player runs into a defender who has
established position.
Court vision: A player’s ability to see everything on the court during play.
Crossover dribble: When a ball handler dribbles the ball across their body from one hand to the other.
Cut: A quick movement by an offensive player without the ball to gain an advantage over the defense
usually directed towards the basket.

D
Dead: Offensive player has the ball and has already used their dribble. They must now either pass or
shot the ball.
Dead Ball: Any player with the ball that is not ‘live’. This occurs after each successful field goal, free-
throw attempt, after any official’s whistle or if the ball leaves the court, then play is stopped.
Defense: The act of preventing the offense from scoring. Defense is the team without the ball.
Double Dribble: The act of dribbling the ball, stopping the dribble or motion of the ball and beginning to
dribble again. Results in a violation and turnover.
Downtown: Referred to as a shot that was considered too distant for the normal shooter to take or in
the ‘3- point’ area.
Dribble: The act of bouncing the ball up and down. The offensive player with the ball uses the dribble to
move the ball around the court.
Drive: The movement of an offensive player while aggressively dribbling towards the basket in an
attempt to score.
Dunk: A shot in which a jumping player slams the ball down into the opponent’s basket from above.

Established Position: When a defensive player has both feet firmly planted on the floor before an
offensive player’s head and shoulder gets past them. The offensive player who runs into such a defender
is charging.

F
Fake: A movement made with the aim of deceiving an opponent. This can be done with either a pass or
a shot fake.
Fastbreak: The act of moving the ball quickly down court by an offensive team in hopes of getting ahead
of the defense to score.
Field Goal: When the ball enters the basket from above the rim during play. It is worth two points.
Flagrant Foul: This is unnecessary or excessive contact against an opponent.
Floor: The area of the court within the end lines and the sidelines.
Floor Violation: A player’s action that violates rules but does not prevent an opponent’s movement
(traveling, double dribble, etc.). They are penalized by a loss in possession.
Foul: Actions by players, which break the rules but are not floor violations. They are penalized by a
change in possession or free throw opportunities.
Fouled Out: A player having to leave the game because they have committed five fouls.
Foul Shot or Free Throw: An unguarded shot taken from the foul line by a player whose opponent
committed a personal or technical foul, which is worth one point.
Free Ball: A ball, which is in play but is not in the possession of either team, also called a ‘loose ball’.
Free Throw: The act of shooting the ball from the marked free throw line (ranging 10-15 feet from the
basket) while the remaining players line up down the ‘key’. Shot is taken at the result of a foul or
technical foul being called.

G
Give and Go: An offensive play in which a player passes the ball to a teammate and cuts towards the
basket for a return pass to score.
Goaltending: Interference with a shot by touching the ball or basket while the ball is on, over, or within
the rim. Also touching the ball on its downward flight to the basket before it hits the rim.
Guarding: The act of following an opponent around the court to prevent them from getting close to the
basket, taking an open short or making easy passes.

H
Half time: The rest period between two halves of the game. Usually 5 minutes in length.
Hand checking: Illegal use of hands, usually on the back or hips of the offensive player.
High percentage shot: A shot that is likely to go in the basket, typically taken near the hoop.
High post: A player who is stationed in or near the free throw semicircle on offense.
Hoop: The basketball rim and backboard players shoot the ball towards in attempt to score points. Also
referred to as the ‘basket’

I
In the Paint: Being in the large rectangle area under each basket or the foul lane area, which is painted a
different color. AKA ‘the key’.
Inbounds: The area within the end lines and sidelines of the court.
Inside Shooting: Shots taken by a player near or under the basket.

J
Jump shot: Field-goal attempt by a player with both feet off the floor, enabling the player to shoot over
the defender.

L
Lay-up or Lay in: A shot taken after driving to the basket by leaping up under the basket and using one
hand to shoot the ball off the backboard.
Loose Ball: A ball that is alive but not in the possession of either team.
Lower Percentage shot: A shot that is less likely to go in the basket, usually taken further away from the
hoop

M
Match-ups: Any pairing of players on opposing teams who guard each other.

O
Offense: The team that has possession of the basketball. Also, a structured pattern of play that a team
uses while attempting to score.
Offensive rebound: A rebound of a team’s own missed shot.
Officials: The referees who control the game, stop and start play, and impose penalties for violations
and fouls.
One-and-one: The “bonus” free-throw situation awarded for non-shooting fouls after the opposing team
exceeds a certain number of team fouls in a half. The person fouled shoots one free throw; if successful,
the shooter takes a second shot.
Outlet Pass: The first pass made after a defensive rebound to a teammate to start a Fastbreak.
Outside Shooting: Shots taken from the perimeter, further away from the hoop.
Out of bounds: The area outside of and including the end lines and sidelines.
Outside shooting: Shots taken from the perimeter.
Over-and-back violation: A violation that occurs when the offensive team returns the ball into the
backcourt once it has positioned itself in the front court.
Overhead pass: A two-handed pass thrown from above the forehead.
Overtime: An extra period played to break a tie score at the end of a regulation game.

P
Pass: When a player throws the ball to a teammate to advance the ball during a possession.
Personal Foul: Contact between players, which may result in excessive physical contact or provide one
team with an unfair advantage. Players may not push, hold, trip, hack, elbow, restrain or charge into an
opponent. These are also counted as team fouls.
Pivot: A center, also the foot that must remain touching the floor until a ball handler who has stopped
dribbling is ready to pass or shoot.
Possession: To be holding or in control of the ball.
Post Position: The position of a player standing in the low post or high post in the ‘key’ area near the
hoop.

R
Rebound: A term used to describe the actual retrieving of the ball as it rebounds from the backboard or
the ring after a missed shot.
Receiver: The player who receives a pass from the ball handler.
Referee: The person(s) assigned to the game to maintain the flow and integrity of the game.

S
Scrimmage: Practice play between squads of one team.
Shooter: A player who takes a shot at the basket in attempts to score.
Shooter’s roll: This is the ability to get even an inaccurate shot to bounce lightly off the rim and into the
basket.
Shooting Range: The distance from which a player is likely to make their shots.
Squaring up: When a player’s shoulders are facing the basket as they release the ball for a shot. This is
considered good shooting position.
Steal: To take the ball away from an opponent.
Strong Side/Weak Side: Whichever side of the key that the ball is on when on offense is called the
strong side. The other side is the weak side. If the ball changes sides, the weak side is now the strong
side. Substitute: A player who comes into the game to replace a player on the court.
Switch: Two defensive players change checks during live play.

T
Technical Foul: A special violation called at the discretion of the referee towards players, coaches or the
team. Infractions include an intentional or flagrant contact foul, unsportsmanlike conduct or other
actions detrimental to the spirit of the game.
Throw-in: The method by which a team with possession inbounds the ball.
Time-out: A period of sixty seconds during which the play is stopped and teams discuss strategy and a
moment to allow players to rest.
Tip-off: The initial jump ball that starts the game.
Trailer: An offensive player that follows behind the ball-handler.

V
Violation: An infringement of the rules, which does not involve contact. The opposing team is awarded
the ball for a throw-in from out of bounds.

The 13 Original Rules of Basketball

After brainstorming some new ideas, Naismith developed basketball’s original 13 rules and,
consequently, the game of basketball.
1. The ball can be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
2. The ball can be batted in any direction with one or both hands, but never with the fist.
3. A player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from the spot on where he catches it.
4. The ball must be held in or between the hands. The arms or body must not be used for holding it.
5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking, or tripping an opponent.
6. A foul is striking the ball with the fist.
7. If a side makes three consecutive fouls, it counts as a goal for the opponents.
8. A goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the ground into the basket and stays
there. 9. When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the first
person touching it.
10. The umpire shall be the judge of the men and shall note the fouls and notify the referee when three
consecutive fouls have been made.
11. The referee shall be the judge of the ball and decide when it is in play in bounds, to which side it
belongs, and shall keep the time.
12. The time shall be two 15-minute halves with a five-minute rest between.
13. The side scoring the most goals in that time shall be declared the winner.

The PBA has a hybrid of FIBA and NBA rules:

1. A game consists of four 12-minute quarters, the NBA standard.
2. The three-point line's distance is set back to 6.75 m (22.1 feet), which is the FIBA's three-point
distance for international competitions.
3. Zone defenses are allowed.
4. A team enters the penalty situation after the fifth foul in a quarter, with each successive foul entitling
the fouled player to two free-throw attempts. In the last two minutes of regulation, teams are only
allowed one foul to give, as in NBA rules. Overtime periods allow each team two fouls in the first three
minutes and one foul in the last two minutes, as in NBA rules.
5. Newcomers enter the league via a draft and required to play in the D-League for a certain number of
tournaments before being eligible to be drafted.
6. Non-Filipinos can play as "imports" and only in certain conferences, the Commissioner's Cup and the
Governors' Cup. The Commissioner's Cup allows teams to hire imports no taller than 6'10". In the
Governors' Cup, imports within the height limit of 6'5" are allowed to play.
7. The league implements the Trent Tucker Rule. 8. An advantage foul, similar to the "unsportsmanlike
foul" of FIBA rules, is called when the offensive player is fouled by an opposing player while in a
Fastbreak situation without going for the ball. The offense is given two free throws and regains the ball.

Basic Positions in Basketball

In a typical game of basketball, there are usually five players on each team on the court, and each player
has their roles and responsibilities. Traditionally, players who filled these positions would solely stick to
their role and focus on their task, but basketball has advanced a lot since then and every player these
days are required to play two or more positions at one time. This is due to the nature of the sport where
players move around and play flexibly; doing what is required in any given situation. Here are the five
basic positions and their role in basketball,

Position #1 Point Guard (Notable Point Guards: Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul)
The Point Guard is usually the shortest but the best ball handler on the team. Also known as the ‘coach
on the floor’ or the ‘floor general’, a point guard is responsible for directing plays. He needs to have
good court vision to create open shots for the receivers as well as drive the ball down the court and
initiate offensive plays. Point Guards need to have an excellent long-distance shooting, though it’s not
quite as crucial as for shooting guards, some point guards take as many shots as shooting guards.
Position #2 Shooting Guard (Notable Shooting Guards: Michael Jordan, Klay Thompson, Kobe Bryant)
Potentially the one of the shortest players on the team, the Shooting Guard is the team’s best outside
shooter. Besides being able to shoot well, the Shooting Guard needs to be good at dribbling fast, passing
and having court vision by seeing the court. He is also responsible for driving the ball down the court
and setting up offensive plays.
A good Shooting Guard will be a threat to his opponent as he’s able to score from anywhere on the
court.

Position #3 Small Forward (Notable Small Forwards: Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard)
The Small Forward is usually the shorter of the two forwards on the team but plays the most versatile
role out of the main five positions. He must have enough height and the ability to play on the inside as
well as agility to play on the outside, similar to a shooting guard. Small Forwards are usually the second
or third best shooters on the team and should be able to do a little bit of everything on the court.

Position #4 Power Forward (Notable Power Forwards: Anthony Davis, Draymond Green, Tim Duncan)
Power Forwards are usually the second tallest in the team and are the closest to the center in terms of
physical attributes and playing style but with more speed. They are often the most versatile player,
being able to score in the paint as well as being able to shoot from midrange. It will be more effective if
they’re able to land a three-point consistently. Defensively, they are required to have the strength to
guard bigger players close to the basket.

Position #5 Center (Notable Centers: Shaquille O’Neal, Yao Ming, Junemar Fajardo, Greg Slaughter)
The center is usually the team’s tallest and strongest player and is positioned under the basket. He is
also required to be physically domineering with more physical strength and athleticism. On the offensive
play, most centers do not consistently score midrange or beyond the arch. Instead, most of their points
should be from offensive rebounds and are also required to block defenders to open other players up
for driving to the basket. On the defense, the center is responsible for keeping the opponent from
shooting by blocking shots and passes in the vital area. They’re also expected to fight for rebounds as
they’re usually taller physically.

Defense In basketball, playing defense means trying to stop your opponent from scoring. The rules of
basketball spell out how and under what circumstances the defense can attempt to stop offensive
players. The majority of personal fouls are called over illegal contact by defenders. Understanding the
basic rules of basketball defense can make you a better defender and all-around player. “Defense Makes
the Difference” Slogans such as “A good offense is the best defense,” “Out score your opponent,” and
“They can’t score when you have possession of the ball” are all true. However, defense is the dominant
ingredient of winning basketball. Offensive basketball has progressed at such a rapid rate with the
addition of the 3-point shot that players sometimes forget the value of strong defense. It is impossible
to shut out your opponent, but it IS possible to eliminate the cheap basket. Defense, if it’s good, is unlike
offense in that it is quite stable. We all have had nights when we could not put the ball in the basket.
This is a variable of offense, while our defense will not change. Even on a poor offensive night, we can
play good defense that might turn the tide of the battle.
Types of Defense
a. The man-to-man defense involves all 5 defensive players on the court being allocated one opposition
player who they’re accountable for defending whenever they’re on defense. Of course, there will be
times when players switch opponents or help each other on defense, but for the most part, each player
is responsible for one player from the opposition. Learning to be a great man-to-man defender is
perhaps the most important skill for a player to learn during their years of youth basketball. No matter
what defense a player goes on to play at the next level or on another team, the skills they learn playing
man-to-man defense will transfer. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for players that solely learn
zone defense.
b. Where man-to-man defense has you assigned to a specific player, zone defensive strategy has you
guarding a specific area instead. Zone defenses can be effective against poor outside shooters, as well as
players who are adept at driving to the basket. The basic procedure in zone defense is to have defenders
pick up opponents when they enter their designated area. Once they leave or motion to another portion
of the court, the defenders hang back and guard their spot rather than following a player as you would
in man-to-man. Zone defenses are broken down by their alignments, which are normally labeled by
numbers. Some common zone layouts include:
a. 2-3 ZONE This is the most common zone layout. Two players stand high at the free throw line, while
the remaining three defenders guard the baseline. This zone defense is great for defending baseline and
corner attacks, as well as securing rebounds.
b. 3-2 ZONE This alignment places three defenders in line at the free throw line and allows for more
pressure from the wings, making for a more difficult long-range shot.
c. 1-3-1 ZONE The 1-3-1 layout consists of one player above the free throw line, three players staggered
across the paint and one player guarding the baseline underneath the hoop. This is a good defense for
guarding head-on attacks at the top of the circle and for forcing offenses into corners for potential traps
and turnovers.
d. 2-1-2 ZONE Two players guard the free throw line, while one player is placed in the lane and the final
two defenders are placed at the baseline. This layout is a good defense against baseline attacks and
offenses working into the paint.
e. 1-2-2 ZONE Also called the “jug” defense, one player guards above the foul line while two players
guard the wings. The final two defenders are responsible for the baseline.