FUN WITH MAPS – ISSUE 2022-227 DAILY FEATURE:

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (December 21, 2022) – In Issue 2022-227 of Steve Kovacs Fun with Maps, we celebrate the beginnings of shooting some hoops

Basketball by Canadians

Many do know that a frustrated physical education teacher in the Springfield, Mass., YMCA invented what we know as basketball to keep rowdy young adults occupied in the winter.  He was James Naismith and did use fruit baskets erected 10 feet above the floor as baskets. No dunks yet.

The first game of basketball was played on December 21, 1891.

What may be lesser known is that Naismith is originally from Almonte in eastern Ontario.  He studied at Montreal’s McGill University and competed in football, soccer, lacrosse, gymnastics, and rugby.  After graduating from McGill, he became its Athletic Director before moving to the US.  Many, including The Big O, Kareem, Pervis, Charles, Darrell, Michael, Magic and others thank him.

This map of Ontario by Mitchell is from 1876 when Naismith was 15 years old.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.