We're trying to improve Conversations.
Please take a brief survey and help us out.

Naismith, the "Father of Basketball," dies at 78

By Larry Schwartz
Special to ESPN.com

Monday, November 26, 2001

Nov. 28, 1939 James Naismith, the "Father of Basketball," dies at 78 of a heart ailment following a cerebral hemorrhage in Lawrence, Kan. His death comes three years after basketball became an official Olympic sport and 20 years before he will become the first individual inducted into the Hall of Fame that will bear his name. As a gym teacher at the Springfield (Mass.) Men's Christian Association Training School in 1891, the Canadian-born Naismith invented basketball when he set out to develo ...

Read full story | Create Your Profile

Activate your ESPN Profile!

Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted

Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.


Conversations in Real-Time

CONTESTS & PROMOTIONS

ESPN Fantasy Salary Cap
Create your own fantasy game day living room and win BIG!
Heisman Vote 2009
Vote for the next Heisman winner and enter for a chance to win a trip to the awards show. Mor
Engineered to Win Challenge
Test your football smarts by playing NFL trivia and enter each week for a chance to win a 2010 GMC Sierra.