James Naismith

In "James Naismith: The Man Who Invented Basketball," authors Rob Rains and Hellen Carpenter delve into the life of James Naismith, exploring how his early experiences in rural Canada shaped the invention of basketball. Originally aspiring to be a medical doctor or minister, Naismith created the game to provide a winter pastime for students, focusing on non-contact play. Through unprecedented access to Naismith's archives, this biography chronicles the development of the sport, including its foundational 13 rules and Naismith's influential role at the University of Kansas and the 1936 Olympic Games.