BASKETBALL

TEXT CACHED
National Basketball Association In 1946, the National Basketball Association was formed, organizing the top professional teams and leading to greater popularity of the professional game.
high school basketball Before widespread school district consolidation, most United States high schools were far smaller than their present day counterparts.
The same year, Mount Holyoke and Sophie Newcomb College (coached by Clara Gregory Baer ) women began playing basketball.
Outdoor basketball courts are commonly referred to as "blacktop", a reference to the asphalt surface used on many outdoor recreation grounds.
Basketball - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
College basketball was rocked by gambling scandals from 1948 to 1951, when dozens of players from top teams were implicated in match fixing and point shaving.

An upstart organization, the American Basketball Association , emerged in 1967 and briefly threatened the NBA's dominance until the rival leagues merged in 1976.
Variations of basketball are activities based on the game of basketball, using common basketball skills and equipment (primarily the ball and basket).
Today the NBA is the top professional basketball league in the world in terms of popularity, salaries, talent, and level of competition.
Basketball, netball , volleyball , and lacrosse are the only ball games which have been identified as being invented by North Americans.
History History of basketball Basketball is unusual in that it was invented by one person, rather than evolving from a different sport.
The only essential equipment in basketball is the ball and the court: a flat, rectangular surface with baskets at opposite ends.
The first official basketball game was played in the YMCA gymnasium on January 20 , 1892 with nine players, on a court just half the size of a present-day NBA (NBA) court.
During the first decades of the 20th century, basketball quickly became the ideal interscholastic sport due to its modest equipment and personnel requirements.
And in 1926, the Amateur Athletic Union backed the first national women's basketball championship , complete with men's rules.
The states of Illinois , Indiana and Kentucky are particularly well known for their residents' devotion to high school basketball; the critically acclaimed film Hoosiers shows high school basketball's depth of meaning to these rural communities.
Some variations are only superficial rules changes, while others are distinct games with varying degrees of basketball influences.
In the 2003–04 season, 1,002,797 boys and girls represented their schools in interscholastic basketball competition, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.
While competitive basketball is carefully regulated, numerous variations of basketball have developed for casual play.
Basketball was first included in the Olympic Games in 1936, although a demonstration tournament was held in 1904.
While competitive basketball is primarily an indoor sport, played on a basketball court , less regulated variations have become exceedingly popular as an outdoor sport among inner city groups.
Basketball, 2002 FIBA World Championship, 1946, 1892, 2004 Summer Olympics, All American Red Heads Team, Air ball, Adolph Rupp, 2004, 2006 FIBA World Championship, 2006
Naismith's disciple Amos Alonzo Stagg brought basketball to the University of Chicago , while Adolph Rupp , a student of Naismith's at Kansas, enjoyed great success as coach at the University of Kentucky.
Through time, basketball has developed to involve common techniques of shooting, passing and dribbling, as well as players' positions, and offensive and defensive structures.
Basketball's early adherents were dispatched to YMCAs throughout the United States, and it quickly spread through the USA and Canada.
The International Basketball Federation was formed in 1932 by eight founding nations: Argentina , Czechoslovakia , Greece , Italy , Latvia , Portugal , Romania and Switzerland.
Rules and regulations Main article: Rules of basketball Measurements and time limits discussed in this section often vary among tournaments and organizations; international and NBA rules are used in this section.
Although the rules do not specify any positions whatsoever, they have evolved as part of basketball.
Baseketball's popularity remains high, both in rural areas where they carry the identification of the entire community, as well as at some larger schools known for their basketball teams where many players go on to participate at higher levels of competition after graduation.
By 1910, frequent injuries on the men's courts prompted President Roosevelt to suggest that college basketball form a governing body.
In 1905, the National Women's Basketball Committee's Executive Committee on Basket Ball Rules was created by the American Physical Education Association.
Women's basketball was added to the Olympics in 1976, with teams such as Brazil and Australia rivaling the American squads.
During the first five decades of basketball's evolution, two guards, two forwards, and one center were used.
Basketball is a sport in which two teams of five players each try to score points on one another by throwing a ball through a hoop (the basket) under organized rules.
Other professional women's basketball leagues in the United States, such as the American Basketball League (1996-1998) , have folded in part because of the popularity of the WNBA.
There were hundreds of men's professional basketball teams in towns and cities all over the United States and little organization of the professional game.
In the days before widespread television coverage of professional and college sports, the popularity of high school basketball was unrivaled in many parts of America.
In fact, the term "March Madness " was first used to describe the Illinois high school basketball tournament.
Today virtually every high school in the United States fields a basketball team in varsity competition.
Women's basketball began in 1892 at Smith College when Senda Berenson , a physical education teacher, modified Naismith's rules for women.
Defensive and offensive structures, and positions, are more emphasized in higher levels in basketball; it is these that a coach normally requests a time-out to discuss.
Berenson's freshmen played the sophomore class in the first women's collegiate basketball game at Smith College , March 21, 1893.
The first balls made specifically for basketball were brown, and it was only in the late 1950s that Tony Hinkle , searching for a ball that would be more visible to players and spectators alike, introduced the orange ball that is now in common use.

TEXT CACHED
Listen to USA Basketball President Val Ackerman, USA Head Coach Anne Donovan, Canadace Parker and Michelle Snow discuss the finalization of the 2006 USA World Championship Team roster Coach K Looks Back, Forward.
6 USA and Duke head coach Mike Kryzewski hosted a press conference at Cameron Indoor Stadium to talk about the 2006 Worlds and the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team's next steps.
2006 USA Basketball Athlete Availability Form (PDF) 2006 Athlete Eligibilty Requirements.
In 2000 the lives of three phenoms from decidedly different backgrounds converged on the basketball court and begun their journey of growing up within the international arena.
USA Basketball Letter of Clearance Application // Credit Card Form.

The USA, in a transition year with the torch being handed from Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley and Sheryl Swoopes to Sue Bird, Candace Parker (above) Diana Tauarsi, despite a one-game stumble, showed the world the the future of USA Basketball is bright.
The 2006 USA Women’s World Championship Team was finalized with the addition of three-time WNBA All-Star Cheryl Ford, 2006 Southeastern Conference Rookie of the Year Candace Parker and two-time WNBA All-Star Michelle Snow (Houston Comets), USA Basketball announced today.
The Official Site of USA Basketball
Cheryl Ford, Candace Parker, Michelle Snow Complete 2006 USA Basketball Women’s World Championship Team.
What was important to the USA coaching staff was that the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team (5-0) finish off its pre-World Championship exhibition schedule in a way that would help keep the momentum it had already accumulated rolling as the team heads into preliminary play at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.
McCallie, the USA Basketball U20 Women's National Team demolished its 2006 FIBA Americas Championship competition, scoring an average of 104.

TEXT CACHED
Bahamas Basketball from Latin Basketball news, national team, Division One, import players, Message board ,.
England Basketball covering the national teams, national leagues, regional leagues and development.
Salvation Army Basketball South Australia; foster the spirit of community and team work.
Women's International Basketball most comprehensive women's basketball site on the net.
BritBall covers British BBL League , Trophy and Cups and other competitions, EBL Leagues, Scottish Leagues and Cups, ESB Irish Leagues, international basketball and grassroots development.
NCAA Basketball tickets and NBA tickets including Bulls tickets , Pistons tickets and Spurs Tickets.
FIBA International Basketball Federation founded 1932 when eight national federations founded FIBA in Geneva, Switzerland;.
Women's Basketball-Full Court high school, college, professional and International.
Professional Basketball is one of the dominating American Sports with a huge following.
Women's Professional Basketball Youth Basketball National Team.
British Basketball League fixtures, stats (including game by game), live-score updates, email alerts , Basketball Championship Finals at the end of April- culmination of the season, clubs , players, BBL Cup and Trophy.
Orange Europe Basketball Directory : Reviews and lists European basketball websites in the English language.
If you need further advice ask Faisal our coaching librarian from Basketball-drills-and-plays.
It was founded by The professional basketball leagues of Italy, Spain and France in Rome on 25 June, 1991.
Coaches Notebook Dedicated to coaches of youth basketball teams, the Coach's Notebook offers tips, plays, drills and much more.
official site US basketball - the recognized governing body for basketball in the United States by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
Calendar of all Basketball events 2005-2008 as a doc file for printing.
Basketball Highway  the coaches and professionals home; reviews, ask the coach, clinics, and archives, interactive coach etc.
2005 Coverage by: NBA Basketball Online , NBA Hops Online , Hoops Vibe ,.
Basketball Rule Forum - Ace" questions on any of FIBA (International) Rules  NCAA, NBA, and WNBA rules as well.
Oregon Preps High school basketball news, results, and recruiting info for the state of Oregon in the United States.
Basketball without Borders - Africa a contingent of NBA players provide instruction and competition in South Africa.
HoopsVibe provides daily NBA news and weekly NBA reviews, shoes reviews, apparels reviews,  general basketball articles, match reviews, players and statistics (leaders, teams, play-off, Divisions), streetball moves, forum.
Backboards, Goals, Nets, Wall mount structures, Portable, fixed and adjustable basketball systems.
Basketball Attic Biographies of players, team histories, special reports on basketball related ideas, and interactive features like a monthly quiz.
Australian Basketball Association (ABA) - the endorsed national development league of the sport’s peak body, Basketball Australia.
Latin Basketball comprehensive coverage of basketball in Central and South America and the World, having the widest basketball coverage from over 126 countries worldwide and in total 188 leagues.
Although professional teams existed in the US from as early as the 1920's, it was not until 1946 that the BAA Basketball Association of America took control and evolved into the NBA, National Basketball Association.
Retro-Net Basketball Returns - a rebounder that returns your shots to you anywhere on the court.
Basketball Goals Offering the best selection of basketball goals, equipment and accessories! We offer free shipping and the lowest prices!.
Guide to Coaching Basketball tips on offence, defence, and fundamentals and teaching the game for coaches and players.
Washington State Cougars Men's Basketball Women's Basketball.
Below this is the Australian Basketball league (ABA ), the National DEvelopment competition, with five leagues – 135 men’s and women’s teams based in six states and territories.
com presents  a wide range of helpful information for all athletes needing this technique, including Basketball players.
See Live Courtside Action with the Best NCAA Basketball and NBA Basketball Tickets from BuySellTix.
High-school-basketball useful site with many resources for the basketball player in their early years, including training information.
South East Just Hoops  exists to help make basketball accessible to children and teenagers in the South East of England;.
New Zealand Basketball Leagues, club sites,  resources, news, links etc.
Early History of Basketball  Naismith, Naismith - Hall of Fame.
NBA-Finals-News , ProBasketball from the About team.
South Australia Basketball provides details links to related sites ; news, results, calendar , where to play etc.
In a 19 day span the tournament covers 13 cities and concludes in Indianapolis with the Final Four tournament to determine the 2006 NCAA College Basketball Champion.
ScotBall News :  online community;  Basketball News from Around Scotland - links, images, news, results, mail lists etc.
Inventor -Naismith covers similar ground             Jerry About Basketball - Know the game.
High School Basketball from SoCal - a comprehensive and complete collection of High School Prep Basketball websites.
Womens National Basketball League WNBL news, fixtures, reports,  stats, clubs close-up, history, audio, TV, links.
Women's Basketball History an article by Bernt Pölling-Vocke focussing on the early years.
European Women's Basketball results - from countries and competitions, all over Europe, with plans to also present match reports stats and even some kind of players 'free market'.
Australia (BA ) is the governing and controlling body for the sport of basketball in Australia – overseeing the sport at all levels, from the grass roots to national teams and national leagues.
Basketball Ireland responsible for the promotion, development, administration and co-ordination of all basketball activities in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Basketball is a ball game between two teams of five players, played on both indoor and outdoor courts.

Slam Dunk! Basketball Video, NBA Fight More 1000's of Basketball video clips of NBA fight, NBA allstar game More! Download Free!.
PowerBasketball, a coach's resource center goal is to help youth basketball coaches and players to be their best".
Team rankings - for power ratings in basketball including predictions, RPI, and much more including  NCAA Men;  NCAA Women and the NBA.
Basketball-goals Superior quality basketball equipment for indoor outdoor residential institutional use.
Coverage by: Pro-basketball About , Inside hoops , College Hoops Net.
NBA Basketball News headlines The most comprehensive NBA Basketball fan website on the internet— NBA Basketball news, scores, schedule, standings, player roster, tickets, player stats and NBA paraphernalia collected from around the internet and updated hourly.
South East Intertown Basketball League (SEIBL) for local club competitions in Mount Gambia.
Basketball Australia History brief summary of key performance facts from 'Basketball Australia'.
BasketBall Australia (BA)  tournaments, championships, national teams, links to state associations and league clubs.
Basketball-drills-and-plays Your number one source for professional basketball drills in various categories, animated plays in many different formations, and tons of player improvement tips.
Applied Sport Psychology  page for Basketball - mental training for the basketball enthusiast.
England Basketball Outdoors EBBA- Outdoor basketball Initiative -"To make the sport of basketball available, accessible and free to all members of the community"; find your nearest goal.
New Jersey Hoops provides entertainment enjoyment for New Jersey Nets fans followers, and supporters of all levels of basketball around New Jersey.
Basketball Euroleague - good coverage by the sports server Eurosport; Groups A, B and C and the Final Four Europe competition.
Association of Professional Basketball Research - another great place to start for anything to go with basketball.
The site is updated on a constant basis to keep everyone updated on what is going on around the world in regards to basketball.
ULEB (Union of European Basketball Leagues) organises and conducts the two most important basketball club competitions in Europe - the European League and the Cup.
News  of men's basketball from Fans Only    Women's Basketball.
Euro Basketen 2003 International Basketball Tournaments- over 200 teams, played in Italy, Greece, Spain, April to September; details for each tournament.
, basketball events, basketball coaching, NBA, National Basketball Association, basketball clubs, basketball history, Basketball, National basketball leagues, International basketball, College basketball, basketball equipment, basketball forums, Championship Playoff, basketball rules
Sacred Hoops is designed for you to learn more about basketball; we offer basketball drills, basketball rules, coaching tips, youth basketball drills, free basketball drills, and much more.
EuroBasket , Links to men and women basketball mainly in Europe, but also USA, Australia and Canada, in both French and English.
Australian Institute of Sport (AIS Basketball) is a development organisation producing top quality young players, with the senior men's team from AIS taking part in SEABL , (ABA league) and the women in the WNBL.
Cheap NBA Tickets also offering NCAA College Basketball Tickets , Georgetown Hoyas , and the UConn Huskies.
Mini-basketball England,  for useful resource information about the sport; links.
com; NBA Tickets , College Basketball Tickets all regular season and play-off basket ball games.
Pro Basketball-betting with good stats, scores, standings, schedules, teams, players, rules etc.
Andrew Bogut Andrew Bogut fans and an interactive forum for all basketball topics.
Active Karma Basketball for beginners and experts - stance , pivot and turn , defence and more.
Magic Johnson -  all about Great Magic Johnson and Lakers, NBA Basketball, biography, summary and his complete stats.
College Hoops National College Basketball- Featuring Player Interviews, College basketball news,& more.
Online Basketball Drills a website/blog  maintained by a youth basketball coach; it provides free access to basketball drills, plays, and coaching strategies for other basketball coaches to use during their basketball practices.
M eteors Basketball Meteors Meteorettes Basketball teams competing in the Super 8 Championships of the Australian Basketball Association.
Hoopskills offers basketball training aids and equipment to basketball players and teams wanting to improve their game.
LinesMaker providing latest NBA lines and college basketball odds.
Greece  see separate page on Greek Basketball.
NBA, International, Draft Prospects etc, with special attention to up and coming basketballers from Australia.
Women's College Basketball Championships History from 1969.
The object of the game is to score the most points by throwing the basketball through the hoop, also called a basket, scoring two points for each basket shot from the field.
Basketball
High School State Basketball - basketball player rankings, team rankings, and coverage of some top high school basketball events.