SALT LAKE CITY — Wednesday marked the 125th anniversary of the invention of basketball.
While the game itself was invented by James Naismith at a YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Dec. 21, 1891, it has become a staple in Utah throughout the years, with currently one major professional organization, six Division I men’s and women’s basketball programs and countless high school teams across the Beehive State.
Back in 1891, 30-year-old Naismith was on the faculty at the YMCA and had failed at introducing new concepts or games prior the invention of basketball. It took him less than an hour to create the initial set of rules, which consisted of 13 rules, according to the YMCA.