Basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor. The game was initially played with a soccer ball and two peach baskets as goals. The first official basketball game was held on December 21, 1891, at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1936, basketball was introduced as an Olympic sport at the Summer Olympics in Berlin. The sport quickly gained popularity worldwide, leading to the formation of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1946. The NBA is now one of the most popular professional sports leagues in the United States and around the world. Over the years, the rules of basketball have evolved to encourage faster-paced and more dynamic gameplay. The introduction of the shot clock in 1954 and the three-point line in 1979 are just a few examples of how the game has changed. Today, basketball is played by millions of people of all ages and skill levels, making it one of the most beloved and widely played sports in the world.