Womens Basketball

Since the early days of the twentieth century, people have enjoyed playing the game of basketball. Indeed, in the United States, college basketball has gained quite a following nationwide. Now, with the immense popularity of the NBA and its superstars, many students are looking to get noticed in college basketball recruiting, to play in college teams and even perhaps in the NBA.

Dr. James Naismith is recognized as the inventor of basketball. Naismith was born in 1861 in Ramsay, located near Almonte in Ontario, Canada. The concept of basketball was derived from a child's game known as duck-on-a-rock, which he played during his school days outside his schoolhouse. The game involved attempting to dislodge what was called a "duck" off the top of a large rock by tossing another rock at it.

Naismith served in McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, as its Athletic Director. He then moved on to the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA in 1891, which is where basketball eventually was born. During his stay in Springfield, Naismith became immersed in finding a sport for the students at the School for Christian Workers that was suitable to play indoors during the winter. He wanted to create a game that relied on skill as opposed to one that depended exclusively on strength.

In addition to the creation of the sport, Naismith graduated as a medical doctor, focusing himself on sports physiology and (which would later be known as) sports science. He was also a Presbyterian minister, with a deep curiosity in philosophy. The first basketball game was played using a soccer ball and two peach baskets as the goals.

Naismith was able to witness basketball being brought into in many nations through the YMCA movement, which began as early as 1893. In 1936, basketball was introduced at the Berlin Olympics. Today, college basketball is played in campuses throughout the Unite States, and basketball has come to be known as one of the world's most popular sports.

The Internet has proven to be a useful venue for both students in college basketball and coaches involved in the process of college basketball recruiting. There are many websites and online forums wherein students and scouts can come together and interact. D1Athletes is an online community wherein high school athletes and coaches alike can share and exchange information they need during college basketball recruiting. D1Athletes offers them a place to build an online presence and gain important public exposure.

Parents of athletically-gifted children are understandably eager to participate in increasing their children's odds in.  Good parents are happy to help their kids flourish in their field where they can use their given talents to benefit others as well as themselves.  Athletic children can pursue a college education through the benefits of sports scholarships in the USA. If their child has a talent for basketball, for instance, they would like to support the development his skills, as well as getting up-to-date with college basketball recruiting.

The newly-invented game of basketball included improvised components such as a modified soccer ball and peach baskets for goals.  There were nine players per team, with the 13 rules of the game scribbled on a piece of foolscap.  An emphasis was placed on finesse and limited physical contact.  The goals were hung 10 ft above the school gymnasium floor. After the rules were explained to the players, the first basketball game was played n December 13, 1891. Naismith himself officiated, and it became apparent that the players greatly enjoyed the new sport. Basketball, known for high scoring and supreme athletic contests, started with a game with final score of 1-0.

The invention was an immediate success. Over the next 20 years, basketball garnered significant interest across the United States, particularly at the college level. The first women's basketball game, which was played with a modified set of rules created by Senda Berenson Abbott, took place at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, in 1893.

Information is readily available for parents and kids interested in sports scholarships in the USA and college basketball recruiting.  The Internet has proven to be a useful venue for students, parents, and even coaches looking for and other related information.  There are many websites and online forums wherein students and scouts can come together and interact.  D1Athletes is an online community wherein high school athletes and coaches alike can share and exchange information they need concerning sports scholarships in the USA and college basketball recruiting.  D1Athletes offers them a place to build an online presence and gain important public exposure.

Basketball was invented in a pursuit for an indoor game, which would provide complete fitness. Dr James Naismith, a Canadian physical instructor, wrote down the basic rule for the game after initial rejection of many ideas, at a YMCA Training School. This game was officially played for the first time on January 20, 1892, in the YMCA Gymnasium, at Springfield College. Women began playing basketball in 1892, at Smith College, and different sets of rules were laid down for them.

This is a team sport where two teams, consisting of nine members each, throw ball into a ten-foot high basket of the opponent in order to get a score. While one team member aims for the basket, member of the other team prevents him from doing so. The team that has the highest score wins the game. The ball is dribbled and carried forward. In competitive basketball variation there are lot of regulations and the handling of the ball is restricted. Less regulated versions have been developed for recreational purposes and in some countries, this game is considered as a spectator sport.

Initially a soccer ball was used in basketball after which a brown colored ball was introduced. But to increase the visibility of the ball to the players and spectators alike the color was changed to orange, in 1950s by Tony Hinkle. Initially dribbling wasn't a part of the game. It was included in the game in the 1950s.

Different versions have different rules and time limits. According to NBA, some of the rules have been discussed here. The basketball court should be 94 X 50 feet. There should be baskets on two opposite ends of the court. The court is either made out of wood or cement. The ten feet high basket is made out of steel rim with a net attached. One score, also called shot, is counted as two points or three points when aimed from a distance of 7.24 meter. The game is divided into four quarters which each of them with a time limit of twelve minutes.

A break of fifteen minutes is allowed after the first two quarter and in between each quarter, there is a break of two minutes. In the third quarter, both the teams exchange their baskets. At a time five members of each team are present on the court. Permission is given to have up to seven substitutes. Other than the coach assistant coaches, statisticians, managers, trainers and doctors assists a team. Other equipments, other than the ball, required during the game are scoreboard, score sheets, clocks, stop clocks, whistles, and alternating possession arrows.

The male and the female player require to wear a pair of shorts and a jersey with clear number printed on the front and the back. High-top sneakers can be worn to provide extra ankle support. Sometimes the coach can request clock stoppages in between the game, if he wants to discuss something important with his team members. Usually three referees watch over the game. Other things like timekeeping, fouls by an individual or a team, score, team possession arrow, shot clock and player substitutions are taken care of by the table officials.

Over the period of time, various positions have been developed in basketball. Initially there were one guard, two forwards, and two centers or two guards, two forwards, and one center. Later on point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward and center positions were added.

Actions, which lead to violations are double dribbling, traveling, and carrying the ball and shot clock. Foul is illegal physical contact with the opponent team members, which would hinder them.

The other variations of the professional basketball are wheelchair basketball for the physically handicapped, water basketball to be played in a swimming pool, beach basketball which has very few or no regulations, half court game which has only one basket, and street ball and one-on-one which has two players and smaller court.

Since the beginning of the twentieth century, people have enjoyed playing the game of basketball.  Indeed, in the United States, college basketball has gained quite a following nationwide.  Now, with the immense popularity of the NBA and its superstars, many students are looking to get noticed in college basketball recruiting, to play in college teams and even perhaps in the NBA.

Basketball is a game wherein two teams composed of five players each try to score against one another by shooting a ball through a hoop raised three (3) meters above the ground.  The hoop is also known as the goal, and basketball athletes develop the necessary skills needed to propel the ball through the hoop.  In fact, one of the main attractions of the game is the level of artistry players employ to shoot and score points. Each team has a goal, on opposite ends of the court, which the opposing team tries to shoot the ball into.  The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.  Both college basketball and professional leagues generally follow the same basic rules.

As the game developed, basketball has come to entail the use of various techniques of shooting, passing and dribbling the ball.   The players' positions, and offensive and defensive stances, have also developed over time to accommodate new practices and skills. The tallest member of a team usually assumes the role of center, or one of two forward positions.  The shorter players, meanwhile (or whoever possesses the highest level of ball handling skills and speed) play theguard positions.

The Internet has proven to be a useful venue for both students in college basketball and coaches involved in the process of college basketball recruiting.  There are many websites and online forums wherein students and scouts can come together and interact.  D1Athletes is an online community wherein high school athletes and coaches alike can share and exchange information they need during college basketball recruiting.  D1Athletes offers them a place to build an online presence and gain important public exposure.

To learn more, visit D1Athletes.com or just click college basketball recruiting.

Since its inception in early the twentieth century, people have enjoyed playing the game of basketball. Indeed, in the United States, professional and college basketball has gained quite a following nationwide. Now, with the immense popularity of the NBA and its superstars, many students are looking to get noticed in tryouts, to play in college teams and even perhaps in the NBA. High school students who are talented in the game have a chance at furthering their education by participating in athletic scholarships, where, in exchange for playing in college teams, they get an academic scholarship and other financial help during their stay in that particular school.

U.S. colleges first began to play the game between 1893 and 1895. The first college games were held in Madison Square Garden in 1934, and afterwards college basketball began to attract heightened interest. By the 1950s basketball had developed into a major college sport, thus paving the way an increased interest in the professional sport.

The National Basketball League was the first professional league in the game. It was formed in 1898 to protect players from exploitation and to promote safety rules for the game. The NBL lasted for only five years, however, and in its wake several loosely-organized leagues formed (and disbanded) throughout the northeastern United States. One of the first and greatest professional teams was the Original Celtics, formed in 1915 in New York City. They participated in as many games as 150 a season, and they were the premier team in basketball until 1936. The Harlem Globetrotters, founded in 1927, is an exhibition team which focuses on stylized tricks in ball handling.

In 1949, two professional leagues, the National Basketball League (formed in 1937) and the Basketball Association of America (formed in 1946) merged to create the National Basketball Association (NBA). The NBA is now regarded as the premier basketball league in the United States, and is likewise well-known throughout the world.

The Internet has proven to be a useful venue for both students interested in college basketball, as well as coaches involved in the process of recruiting for athletic scholarships. There are many websites and online forums wherein students and scouts can come together and interact. D1Athletes is an online community wherein high school athletes and coaches alike can share and exchange information they need in their search for athletic scholarships.

Learning any sport takes some time and plenty of practice; but the best way to learn a sport is to get to know the basics first. In basketball there are not too many difficult things to remember. In fact, there are four basic ideas that you should familiarize yourself with. This will allow you to understand the game.

When you understand the game a little better you will be able to learn additional skills and moves more easily. Having a good understanding allows you to be able to pick up the game quickly because you will understand better why you need to move a certain way or what importance there is to each position.

Basketball Basic One: Time

Basketball games are either played in halves or quarters, depending on the league. The time of each half or quarter is dependent upon the league as well. The NBA plays in 12 minute quarters, college basketball is played in 30 minute halves and high school games are played in 8 minute quarters.

There is usually a fifteen minute break at half time. The clock stops when the ball is not in play. Also there are 5 minute overtime periods allowed, if needed. These rules about time are usually the same throughout all leagues.

Basketball Basic Two: Team

A basketball team has 12 players on the roster. Five players will be on the court during play. The coach can trade out players as needed, but only when the clock is stopped. There must be at least five players per team in order to play a regulation game.

Players wear a uniform that consists of shorts and a jersey. The uniform is usually loose fitting to allow for good movement. The jersey will have a number on the front and back. Some leagues may also include the last name on the jersey. The uniform is made in the color or colors of the team. Another important part of the uniform is a pair of sneakers that offer good ankle support.

Basketball Basic Three: Equipment

The game of basketball requires a hoop and a ball. Most league games also use a scoreboard. The hoop is usually at a height of 10 feet from the court and 4 feet from the baseline. The court is usually made of wood if it's indoors. Outdoors courts are usually asphalt. The official regulations for balls are 28.5 inches in diameter with a weight of 20 ounces for women and 29.5 inches in diameter with a weight of 22 ounces for men.

Basketball Basic Four: Rules

The main goal of a basketball game is to score more points then the opposing team by making baskets. The rules surrounding how you do this are pretty straightforward.

- The ball must stay within the court at all times in order to be in play.
- Both feet have to be moving when dribbling.
- Your hand cannot go under the ball when dribbling.
- You can only stand still with the ball if you keep your feet planted. Once a foot steps you must dribble.
- The ball can not go back down the court once past half court.
- You can not dribble with both hands.
- The ball can not be caught when dribbling and held.

There are other rules, but these are the very basics. The more complex rules govern conduct and violations. Understanding these simple points is a great way to introduction to a really fun game.

Basketball Basics

Below is some basic information about basketballs to give you an idea of what's out there and why.

There are four basic materials used for basketballs. 

Leather, Composite leather, Synthetic leather, and Rubber.

 Leather is the best and most expensive, it is what the NBA uses for their game ball.  They tried switching to the composite leather but they just didn't like the feel so they switched back to leather.

Composite leather is the most common ball found in High School play.  It is more durable and less expensive than leather. 

Synthetic leather is similar to the composite leather and is also less expensive than regular leather.

Rubber is the cheapest and very durable.  Rubber is the best material to be used outdoors.

There are five basketball sizes:

Official/Men's size 29.5" - 30"

Women's size 28.5" -29"

Intermediate 27.75"- 28.5"

Youth/Junior size 27.25" - 27.75"

Mini size 22" - 22.5"

There are two channel types:

Narrow Channel

Wide Channel

Most basketball manufacturers have moved away from the narrow channel and are solely making the wide channel basketballs.  Wide channel balls offer a better grip but there are still some people who prefer the narrow channel.

There are also training basketballs:

The training basketballs can have sizes that range from 33 1/2- 36" or weights from 2 lbs to 4 lbs.  These help with shooting, rebounding, and muscle memory.

 

Basketballs can differ on price depending on what they are made out of, their size, their manufacturer, and where they are purchased.  Now that you know what kind of basketballs are out there, choosing the one for you should be pretty simple.

To purchase the ball you require or for more basketball products go to www.morleyathletic.com

Ever since the invention of the game Basketball in 1891, it has developed to become a truly international sport. It is among the few professional sports in which the women's has grown in tandem with the men's. Originally a sport of the American origin it has grown to tremendous heights internationally. Teams from all around the globe have emerged with some quality outstanding players, all trying to prove their worth and make their nation noticed and proud.

Basketball is played between two teams each consisting of five players, each team trying to outscore the other by throwing the ball through the opponents' basket from above. The basic rule is to score more points than the opponents while preventing the opponent to do so. A successful throw through the opponents basket is worth two points; or three points if it is taken from beyond the three-point arc which is 6.25 meters (20 ft 6 in) from the basket in international games and 23 ft 9 in (7.24 m) in NBA games. Each team can have up to seven substitutions but can only be made when the play is stopped.

The game is played in four quarters of 10 minutes(International) or 12 minutes(NBA) and fifteen minutes are allowed for a half-time break and two minutes for the other breaks. The game sometimes progresses into overtime periods that are generally for five minutes. In the second half, the two teams exchange baskets/courts . The time allowed is the actual playing time so the clock is stopped when the play is not active which is why the games take longer than the alloted period(generally 2 hours). It is enjoyed extremely by the spectators since they get to watch more of their favorite teams playing. The players uniform includes a pair of jersey(with an unique number printed in the front and back) and shorts. The game is controlled by officials consisting of the referee, one or two umpires and the table officials and has a limited number of time-outs.

Generally the players try to maintain discipline and etiquette during play but sometimes players do get involved in heated arguments with the rivals. Though against the rules of the games, it makes the spectators go crazy with excitement and brings new spirit into the game. The ball must stay within the court; the last team to touch the ball before it travels out of bounds forfeits possession. The ball-handler cannot move both feet without dribbling, known as traveling and a player's hand must remain on top of the ball while dribbling; failure to do so is known as carrying the ball. A violation of these rules results in loss of possession or, if committed by the defense, a reset of the shot clock. Players who are fouled either receive the ball to pass inbounds again, or receive one or more free throws.

The National basketball Association(NBA ) was formed in 1946 organizing the top professional teams and leading to greater popularity of the this game

Basketball as a global sport has come a long way and has kept on achieving greater levels for its players as well as for its spectators. The quality players have made a strong impact on its fans and have inspired quite a few millions. It is one of the coolest game and is enjoyed by all age groups.You can check our some free basketball day cards from 123greetings.com

Sportswear is also often worn as casual clothing and is often quite fashionable. Styles of sportswear differ quite widely based on the specific sport they serve, and Sportsweardesigner.com offers a great collection of pre-made basketball uniforms. Basketball sportswear is functional clothing; it soaks up your sweat, provides full range of motion, and look fashionables too. For the best basketball sportswear and team uniforms, custom basketball sportswear, basketball team uniforms, basketball uniforms, basketball uniforms and sportswear, basketball jerseys and jackets etc visit us at http://www.sportsweardesigner.com/basketballhome.html .

The history of basketball sportswear over the past century shows the advances made in fabrics and the understanding of biomechanics. These changes also provide a glimpse of changes in fashion as a whole. At beginning of the 19th century society was very conservative; men's wear included tailored suits with bowties, while women's dresses were floor-length and incredibly tight at the waist. Such attire was hardly appropriate for sports, but the earliest athletes wore modest styles. Nineteenth century players sported long sleeveless t-shirts, baggy breeches that came below the knee, ankle socks, and low-top, inflexible leather shoes. By the 1920s, fashions on and off the playing field became much less conservative. Basketball sportswear now included medium-length cotton shorts; cotton t-shirts with cap sleeves, and tight leather booties.
At the end of World War II, athletes began to show some skin. Uniforms from the late 1940s comprised extremely short cotton shorts, thin-strap cotton tank tops, ankle socks, and shoes similar to low-top Converse.  Then in the 1960s synthetic fabrics became the norm and the development of the modern basketball sportswear uniform took place.  The basketball sportswear team uniform is always changing, but the basic materials haven't changed since the 60's. The 1980's brought some color changes. The changes in color were slight, but they ranged from lights to darks, the neutrality or a softer tone.

The last decade or so has seen another change in basketball sportswear; jerseys tend to hang looser, shorts also hang low. In the next decade, who knows what to expect- as technology changes new looks will now be possible.  Even now you have the ability to design your own basketball sportswear uniform. We all have different styles, whether we are dressing to impress or dressing to make a statement, there is always a rhyme or reason behind what clothes we wear. Basketball sportswear can differ based on the color, fit, comfort level or simply the style and outside appearance of the material. Fashion has become a foundation of opportunity, fame and fortune for many designers, fans and buyers. Dressing by season and whether has become a trademark amongst the most fashion sensitive individuals and will continue to play importance in the fashion world in the future. The owners of Basketball sportsweardesigner.com have a long history of success. In addition to this basketball sportswear company they have brought an Internships website, an SEO Real Estate company, and a business plan software tool to the market.

The history of basketball is much easier to trace than other sports. It is clear that Dr. James Naismith is credited with creating basketball and much of basketball history. Dr. Naismith, born in 1861 in Ontario, Canada first came up with the concept of basketball during his youth school days in the area where he played a game that involved knocking a rock off an object by attempting to throw another rock at it. The game obviously evolved from there and began the history of basketball.
Mr. Naismith taught at the YMCA School in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891, where the sport of basketball was created. He was faced with a problem of finding a sport that could be played indoors during the harsh Massachusetts winters. He needed to come up with a game that could be played in and outdoors and one that adopted a sense of skill and not just brawn. He first developed the game by involving a soccer ball and two peach baskets, who would have ever thought basketball history, could come from a soccer ball.
In addition to creating basketball Dr. Naismith became a medical doctor focused on sports science and was a minister. Naismith watched his sport grow to become one of the world's most popular sports that saw its entrance in the Olympics in 1936 at Berlin and he fixed himself a spot in basketball history.
The history of basketball began with teams of five and was the sports standard by 1897. The sport became popular to both men and women and began to spread throughout Canada and the US. The US servicemen took the sport overseas with them in WWII and the history of basketball became global.

U.S. colleges accepted the game and began to have it as a standard college sport. College basketball history took off around the late 1890's and the first college game began at the Madison Square Garden in New York.

Professional basketball history first began when the National Basketball League was created in the late 1800's around 1898. The league however did not last and was broken up after 5 years providing a rough start to basketball history. The break up just led to a number of random leagues forming themselves in the early 1900's and each was very loosely organized. Ironically enough the first super team was the Celtics but they were from New York City not Boston. The famous Harlem globetrotters were also founded around this time in 1927 and hold a place in basketball history as being the most entertaining of basketball teams.

It wasn't until 1949 that two professional basketball leagues the NBL and the BAA merged to create what we all know now as the National Basketball Association or the NBA. The Boston Celtics dominated the NBA from the late 1950s through the 1960s. By the 1960s, professional teams had formed throughout the United States and basketball was a mainstream powerhouse. Players such as Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russel and Kareem Abdul-Jabar all became household names that drew millions to watch them play as they all found a spot in basketball history.

National Basketball Association fell off the charts and was surpassed by football in popularity through the 1970's then got a resurgence from the popular Larry Bird and Magic Johnson era. Michael Jordan carried the league through the eighties and nineties and the torch has been passed on to Shaquille O'neal, Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. The history of basketball has never been so fascinating and it is all thanks to Dr. James Naismith.

When Fred comes back from the states, he always has new stories about the changes in America. We were sitting in a bar watching sumo when Fred suddenly wondered when we would see women's sumo wrestling on mainstream television. I was unaware that women's sumo wrestling had enough wrestlers, sufficient popularity, or adequate sponsorship to exist as anything more than a niche sport, let alone make it to mainstream television.

After I said that to Fred, he waved away my lack of awareness and started talking about seeing women's college ball on television his last trip to the states. "So, I went out with some friends for a drink. The television was on and there was a college ball game on. Nothing new about that. The television was a little far away and I couldn't see it too clearly but looking at it a second time, something did look a little different. I finally realized that it was women's college ball. Staring at the television, I said, 'Wow! Women's college ball on mainstream television in a bar. What a mindblower!"

I knew that more culture confrontation was coming and so I waited, Fred continued, "So, the guy sitting next to me at the bar, I have no idea who he is, turns to me and asks, 'Are you a sexist?'"

I just couldn't picture anyone thinking Fred was a sexist. Bay Area born and bred, thinking of men and women as equals, Fred was as far from a sexist as you were likely to find these days. I waited, eager to hear what Fred responded. "I was about to reply when Maura jumped in. She turned to the guy and said, 'He sees something new, he expresses surprise, and the only think you can do is ask if he is sexist? Did it ever occur to you to get some more information before asking such a rude question? For example, have you never seen women's college ball on television before? Or you don't watch much television?' The guy mumbled something and slunk away. Not too much you can say to Maura when she gets rolling."

I smiled at the very thought and answered Fred, "So, you are saying that women's college ball, which used to never be on television, is now regular established television fare?"

"That's right." Fred replied and he continued, "I don't know how long women's college ball has been on television, but when I left the states only men's college ball was on television. If you had asked me about women's college ball on television then, I wouldn't have been able to see it. In retrospect, it is perfectly clear that Title IX set the stage for all of this. The big question is how long this process will take in Japan."

I paused to think about that, but Fred did not. He continued, "Obviously, this process will take a long time. The changes of the 1960s in the states set the stage for Title IX. Japan may be talking a lot about gender equality and there may be a lot of new laws and rules, but I am not seeing much in the way of penalties. Rules, regulations, and laws without penalties do not create quick progress. I remember help wanted adds in Japan in the 1990s divided according to male and female. Well, we don't see that anymore, but employers still hire males for certain jobs and females for certain jobs."

Fred was right. It would be a long time before we saw women's sumo develop into a major sport, but the seeds may be being planted now. When Title IX was passed, in 1972, who would have dreamed of women's college ball on television? Now, in 2008, who would dream of women's sumo on Japanese television? The future sometimes brings incredible changes. From Title IX to today has been almost 40 years. Japan has not yet had it's own Title IX, but Japan does not work that way. Perhaps the Japanese are in the equivalent of our 1972. We will have to wait and see what the next 40 years hold in Japan for women's sumo and other women's sports.

The NCAA Basketball Tournament is one of the most watched and awaited sports fixture in the US. It whips up a frenzy that is incredible. Almost the whole nation turns to basketball when the NCAA tournament starts.

The tourney is conducted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which lays down the rules for the 1,200-odd participating colleges and university members. Out of the 1,200 colleges and universities, 1,006 are active members and can participate in the NCAA tournament.

These colleges are organized into three divisions. Division I includes those colleges that sponsor at least seven sports each for men and women, or six for men and eight for women, with two team sports for each gender. Division II colleges are those that sponsor at least four sports each for men and women, with two team sports for each gender. Division III, which makes the bottom of the ladder, sponsors at least five sports each for men and women, with two team sports for each gender. The NCAA also lays down how many basketball matches each member is required to play in its Division.

The Division 1 tournament grabs the maximum public attention because the winners of this tournament qualify for what is known as March Madness. NCAA has laid elaborate rules for the selection of 64 women's teams and 65 men's teams that qualify for this grand event.

Thirty-one teams, both in men and women's division, get an automatic entry, because they are the winners of their respective conferences. A selection committee decides the remaining teams, 34 for men and 33 for women. The whole nation waits with bated breath to learn of the names of these teams that are announced on television.

The field of 64 teams is divided into four geographical regions, and seeded according to their performance in the elimination tournament. The team that is seeded one is the best is its group, while the team that is seeded 16 is considered the weakest in that group. Generally, the teams perform according to their seeding. But sometimes, a low-seeded team may create an upset. Such a team then gets to be known as the tourney Cinderella.

The tourney itself is played over a period of three weeks, beginning usually on the third Thursday of March. The first two days have packed schedules, and as many as 32 teams make an exit. The excitement continues over the next two days when the teams are reduced to Sweet 16. A four-day break ensues for the next round that leaves the top four or the Final Four to battle for the crown.

The winners of this grueling tourney are crowned college basketball champions, and become the toast of the nation.

Most quality basketball team uniforms come in adult, women, girls and youth sizes and are made in the USA. Most quality basketball jerseys and matching basketball shorts are available in mens womens and youth sizes and a large selection of colors. You may also need basketball tear away pants in a variety of adult sizes and colors. Preferably you want the merchandise priced individually at excellent discount prices and have discounted the quality basketball uniforms even further when purchased in team quantities. The above should and may be your goal and you should settle for no less.

The youth basketball uniforms have been designed keeping in mind that basketball is an indoor game, and the players sweat heavily in closed environments. The basketball jerseys are therefore sleeveless and loose fitting with large armholes. They are made of top quality mock mesh, dazzle, tricot mesh or pro mesh material, which is light and thin to wear. The shorts are baggy with elastic waistbands and drawstrings. This helps the players to run and jump freely. All basketball players are required to wear sneakers.

In the early days, the male uniform consisted of a pair of long pants and a T-shirt while the female players dressed in frilly skirts and flat-bottomed sneakers. Today the women's uniforms are better designed, and more suitable for play.

The team's name is printed across the upper chest area. It also carries the player's number. Several teams' print the player's number on the back of the jersey for the player to be identified by the officials, coach or referee. The NBA players especially are required to wear jerseys with numbers printed on the back.

There is great importance attached to the jersey number. The number varies from 4 to 15 at international tournaments. At the high school and college levels, the numbers range from 1-5, 10-15, 20-25, 30-35, 40-45, and 50-55, plus 0 and 00. Some states require the high school teams to wear even-numbered jerseys when playing at home, and odd-numbered jerseys if they're playing at other colleges. Also, teams can choose either 0 or 00; they can't have both.

All teams can come up with their own color schemes for uniforms. But the basketball tournament committees regulate the placement of logos, numbers, players' names etc. Any addition to the uniform needs to be cleared by the tournament committee. This regulation ensures that there is uniformity in the way basketball uniforms are designed.

In the United States, college basketball has gained quite a following nationwide ever since it began in the early 20th century. Now, with the immense popularity of the NBA and its superstars, many students are looking to get noticed in college basketball recruiting, to play in college basketball teams and even perhaps in the NBA.

The Basketball Association of America (BAA) was formed in 1946, at which the organization of the top professional teams began to gain greater attention. This in turn led to the increased popularity of the professional level of the game. The first professional game was played in Toronto, Ontario, in Canada on November 1, 1946. The teams were the Toronto Huskies and New York Knickerbockers. After three seasons, the BAA became premier top professional basketball league in the USA.

The NBA supports the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). It began in 1997, with a rather tenuous opening season. However, due to several prominent players including Sheryl Swoopes and Sue Bird contributed to the league's popularity and increased level of competition. Other women's professional leagues in the United States (such as the American Basketball League, for instance), have not been able to compete with the popularity of the WNBA.

In college basketball recruiting, it is necessary for a student needs to be noticed by to prospective coaches. Many students, however, underestimate this chance and tend to blow their chances at a scholarship from the very beginning. The Internet has proven to be a useful venue for both students in college basketball and coaches involved in the process. There are many websites and online forums wherein students and scouts can come together and interact. D1Athletes is an online community wherein high school athletes and coaches alike can share and exchange information they need during college basketball recruiting. D1Athletes offers them a place to build an online presence and gain important public exposure.

The Canadian, Dr. James Naismith, a physical education instructor, while at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, invented the game of basketball, in 1891. The following year, in 1892, he put together the rules of the game, and the first game of college basketball involved 18 players from YMCA, Springfield, who split into two teams of nine each. This was in 1893.

The first recorded instance when a basketball game involved at least one college team was between Geneva College and New Brighton, YMCA, on April 8, 1893, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, which Geneva College won. Geneva College calls itself 'The Birthplace of College Basketball.'

It was on February 9, 1895, that two basketball teams from two different colleges - Minnesota State School of Agriculture, and the Porkers of Hamline College - played the first college basketball game. Minnesota won 9-3. Naismith's original 'peach basket' rules were in force, and had nine players to each side.

The Modern College Basketball Games

The very first five to a side college basketball game was between the University of Chicago and the University of Iowa, played in Iowa City, Iowa on January 18, 1896. Chicago won 15-12. The first inter-collegiate basketball game was between Wesleyan University and Yale in New Haven, Connecticut, which Wesleyan won 4-3.

By the 1900s, many colleges all over the United States were fielding basketball teams. By 1906, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was formed in Chicago, and the first tournament of the NCAA Men's College Basketball Championship was held in 1939 at Evanston, Illinois in front of an audience of 5,500 fans. Oregon took the first National Championship by beating Ohio State – 46 to 33. That was the only time Oregon has ever reached the finals of this tournament.

In 1940, the first televised college basketball games were played at the Madison Square Garden. Since then, there has been no end to the popularity of college basketball.

March Madness

NCAA's Men's Division I Basketball Championship is colloquially known as the March Madness, as the tournament is mostly held in March, each year. It is also called so as it ignites such frenzy among the followers of college basketball. This single elimination tournament takes place over a three-week period across the United States, and features 65 college basketball teams.

The term March Madness now refers to both - the men's and women's tournament. Traditionally, the semifinals and the finals of the Men's championship is played on a Saturday and the following Monday, whereas the Women's championship semifinal is played on a Sunday, followed by Tuesday, for the finals.

Florida won the 2007 NCAA Men's Division I Championship beating Ohio State 84-75 at Atlanta Georgia, whereas the 2007 NCAA Women's Division I Championship went to Tennessee, who beat Rutgers, 59-46, in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Tickets

The easiest way to procure your college basketball tickets is through the services of legitimate ticket brokers.

Legitimate ticket brokers have a reputation to maintain and ensure your college basketball tickets for the games of your choice are delivered to your door.

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Established in 1933, the Southeastern Conference has boosted an incredible number of championship teams and athletes. When it comes to athletic success, SEC Basketball has led the way in the conference for years. Indeed, SEC basketball is comprised of some of the most successful teams in the United States.

 

The SEC basketball teams (that have enjoyed nationwide success) are from the following universities that make up the conference:

 

l Alabama

 

l Arkansas

 

l Auburn

 

l Florida

 

l Georgia

 

l Kentucky

 

l LSU

 

l Ole Miss

 

l Mississippi State

 

l South Carolina

 

l Tennessee – M

 

l Tennessee – W

 

l Vanderbilt

 

Most recently, six men's Southeastern Conference basketball teams were invited to play in the 2008 NCAA Tournament. SEC basketball has racked up solid success at the men's national tournament. For example, the conference's basketball teams have reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the last 19 years. It is rare for an intercollegiate conference to enjoy this level of success.

 

Not only are men's SEC basketball teams enjoying amazing success but women's teams are at the top of the list nationally as well. Five women's Southeastern Conference basketball teams were invited to the 2008 NCAA Tournament. Two of those teams reached the final four. And, in 2007 and 2008, the national champion in women's basketball was a SEC basketball team – Tennessee.

 

In addition to NCAA championship success the SEC basketball program also has obtained a number of significant records. For example, the conference is the only one in the country to have all of its teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 since 2000. Other important records have also been set by SEC basketball.

 

As is the case in recent years, a good percentage of the SEC basketball teams are ranked in the top 25 by the NCAA. Moreover, a good number of the conference's basketball players are also ranked amongst the top collegiate players in the United States today. (As an aside, a notable number of SEC basketball players end up being recruited by professional teams when their college days come to an end.)

 

The SEC basketball programs at the universities of the conference all adhere to a long established mission statement:

 

"The purpose of the Southeastern Conference is to assist its member institutions in the maintenance of programs of intercollegiate athletics which are compatible with the highest standards of education and competitive sports."

 

Not only have SEC basketball athletes excelled on the court but they have performed dynamically in the academic arena as well. Indeed, a good percentage of both the men's and women's conference basketball teams have garnered academic as well as athletic recognition and honors. As the mission statement of the conference sets forth, a strong commitment is made to ensure that student athletes enjoy success both on the court and in the classroom.

 

Analysts predict that SEC basketball will remain at the top of the game into the future. In fact, these experts believe that the conference's men's and women's teams should continue to garner top slots in the NCAA Tournament well into the coming decade.

 

As Yogi Berra would say: "This is like deja vu all over again."

The Florida Gators beat Ohio State for the NCAA Championship. Seems like we've heard that before somewhere. Oh, yea, less than three months ago the Gators beat the Buckeye's to win the College Football Crown. Now, the same thing happened in the college basketball championship.

But this win, the Gators basketball win, means a lot more.

Why?

Well, for one thing, this is the second straight college basketball championship for the Gators. They convincingly proved they are the best college basketball team this year.

But, more significantly, the win places the Gators in the same class as some of the best college basketball teams ever. No one has won back-to-back college basketball championships since the Duke Blue Devils did it fifteen years ago.

Before that, you have to go back to the UCLA teams of the late 60's and early 70's.

I won't argue that Florida is the best team ever. Maybe yes, maybe no. But, it should be acknowledged that winning consecutive championships is much tougher now then it was even 15 years ago.

Why?

There are two primary reasons. First, there is more parity in college basketball. Second, the best players are much more likely, today, to go pro before completing four years in college.

It's impossible and unfair to compare teams from different eras, but the Gators should be part of any conversation about the best team ever.

But, the most significant thing about the Gators' second basketball championship is it establishes the Southeastern (SEC) conference as the best college basketball conference.

Not only does the SEC have the best men's basketball team in Florida. They also have the best women's basketball team in the Tennessee Lady Volunteers.

The Lady Vols won the Women's NCAA Championship in even more dominating fashion than the Gators won the men's. And the Lady Vols have an even stronger claim to the argument that they are the best women's basketball team ever.

In fact, truthfully, there is no argument about the Lady Vols. They are the dominant program in women's basketball. Not just this year, but all-time. Their legendary coach, Pat Summitt has led the Lady Vols to the most NCAA titles (7); and 26 consecutive appearances in the Sweet 16. She has won a record 948 games. Amazing!

You want history? The SEC has that too. Kentucky has had a couple down years, but they still lead the nation with the most all-time college basketball victories (1949), winning percentage, NCAA Tournament bids and fan attendance. See Best all-time NCAA Basketball Record.



Until this week, I still ranked the ACC as the best overall basketball conference. In fact, I still haven't updated my site to reflect the new realities. See SEC Basketball.

But the time has come to recognize the changing of the guard. College basketball is better and more competitive than ever. The ACC and Big East are both great basketball conferences with great histories. The Big Ten, Big-12 and Pac 10 are good too.

But history isn't enough. In the past two years, the ACC has had 0 teams in the Final Four. The SEC has had three. If you look at the past two NCAA tournaments, the SEC has clearly been the top conference.

We know about Florida and the Tennessee Lady Vols. But, the conference is much deeper than that. In fact, over the past two years, the SEC has had the best March Madness record of any conference. That is for both the men's and women's NCAA tournaments.

This year, the SEC went 11-4 in the men's tournament. And, two of the losses (Tennessee and Vanderbilt) were to higher ranked opponents (Ohio State and Georgetown) and the games were decided on last-minute, controversial, plays.

The SEC did even better in the women's tournament, going 15-4. They had the most teams in the Sweet 16 (4); Great 8 (3); and, Final Four (2).

The time has come for the college basketball world to recognize the obvious. The SEC is not just the top football conference. Florida and Tennessee's Championships have established the SEC as the top college basketball conference in America. And that is the big story to come out of March Madness 2007.

Modern day basketball can trace it's origins to early December 1891 when Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education teacher and a local instructor at Springfield, Massachusetts' YMCA Training School was desperately seeking an indoor game active and fit during cold, snowy New England winters. After trying several different games and finding them too dangerous or not quite suitable for gymnasiums, Naismith wrote down the essential rules of basketball, incorporating some of the rules of a popular children's game of the era, "Ducks on a Pond," and then nailed a peach basket on an upraised track, ten feet above the playing surface. Of course, since the peach baskets still had closed bottoms, retrieving a ball after a player scored a basket was terribly inefficient – unbelievably, the game had to be stopped for someone to retrieve the ball with a dowel. And although the first official game was played in January of 1892, at the YMCA gymnasium Naismith's handwritten diaries at the time indicate that he was extremely nervous about the new game he invented, fearing that his basketball wouldn't take.

Oddly, in that first official game of basketball, there were nine players on a side and the winning team won a close fought 1-0 battle with a 25-foot shot – on a court barely half the size of the modern day court! By 1897 teams of five had become standard. Around the same time, women's basketball was developed at nearby Smith College when Sandra Berenson, a physical education teacher at the college modified many of the rules for women to play. As it turned out, Berenson was fascinated by the values of teamwork, fair play and vigorous exercise that basketball promoted and began organizing some of the first women's basketball games by 1893. By 1899 Berenson's rules for women's basketball were published and by the turn of the century, she was the editor of A.G. Spaulding's legendary Women's Basketball Guide which spread her version of basketball across the country to countless physical education instructors across the country. In fact, with the help of many YMCA instructors, basketball was promoted throughout the United States and Canada, paving the way for the game to be established as a varsity sport at many high schools. Sadly (and perhaps ironically), the YMCA began to discourage basketball by 1905, fearing that rowdy; belligerent crowds and rough play distracted from the organization's mission. But that didn't matter much as amateur clubs, colleges, high schools and even several short-lived professional basketball clubs and leagues not only filled in the void but also helped promote the game. Basketball was becoming so popular that the forebear to the NCAA, known as the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States and the Amateur Athletic Union fought for control of the game's rules and of its future.

A little known fact is that during those first decades, basketball was primarily played with soccer balls, which were difficult to dribble. Most games consisted of players passing the ball to each other in order to advance it up and down the court. It wasn't for some time until a ball was specifically designed and made for basketball and frequently basketballs were irregularly made, creating an odd scene for modern basketball fans. It wasn't until the late 1940s when college basketball was becoming insanely popular and viable enough to pave the way for the National Basketball Association's popularity that Tony Hinkle developed the orange basketball that fans are so familiar with. Of course, it should not be forgotten that Naismith was also influential in the promotion and creation of men's college basketball when he became the University of Kansas ' first basketball team. And believably, many of Naismith's first students and disciples became important in the history of college basketball including Amos Alonzo Stagg, Forrest "Phog" Allen, and Adolph Rupp.

For more information on basketball, visit http://www.basketballmicroblog.com and http://www.basketballmicroblogging.com.

FIBA Europe also takes the responsibility of appointing international referees for the basketball games. This year, in 2009, FIBA has organizes a list of basketball events to take place in Europe. These matches include men's basketball competitions, women's competitions as well as youth competitions, which include matches for under 20, Under 19, Under 18, and Under 16 championships for both men and women.

January 2009 is marked with Additional Qualifying and the Relegation Round for EuroBasket Women Division A which have been scheduled to take place on 4, 7, 10, 13, 16 and 19 January 2009. The Qualifying Round for the EuroBasket Women 2009 was already held from 13 August to13 September 2008. 9 teams have qualified to EuroBasket Women 2009 Round which include Israel, Lithuania, Turkey, Poland, France, Slovak Republic, Hungry, Greece and Serbia. 6 teams will play in the Additional Qualifying Round and include Ukraine, Germany, Italy, Croatia, Belgium and Bulgaria. Great Britain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland and Romania will play in the Relegation Round.

EuroLeague Women 2009, All Start Game 2009 will be held in Paris, France on 8 March 2009. The first-round  FIBA Europe EuroLeague results Women 2008-2009 are Nadezhda 79-80 TS Wisla Krakow, Bourges Basket 79-49 Besiktas Cola Turka, MiZo Pecs 2010 82-65 Halcon Avenida, Gambrinus 68-77 Umana Reyer, TTT Riga 71-86 MKB Euroleasing, CSKA Moscow 96-44 ESB Lille Metropole (Villeneuve D'Ascq), Jolly JBS Sibenik 62-92 UMMC Ekaterinburg, Union Hainaut Basket 78-62 ZVVZ USK Prague, Ros Casares 93-51 LOTOS PKO BP, Fenerbahce 76-68 TEO Vilnius, Lattes Montpellier 65-67 Broker Kosice and Spartak Moscow Region 88-63 Famila Schio.

The next major FIBA Europe basketball events taking place in April 2009 are EuroLeague Women 2009, Final Four from 3 April to 5 April 2009, EuroCup Women 2009 Final from 2 April to 9 April 2009 and the EuroCollege 2009, Final Four championship from 24 April to 26 April 2009.

One of the biggest events under FIBA Europe is the EuroBasket Women 2009 competition which will be held in Latvia from 7 June to 20 June 2009. 14 nations will play in this major event along with the 2 winners from the additional Qualification Round (ADR) which have been split into 4 groups, consisting of 4 teams each. These groups will play the preliminary round of games which will be held in Liepaja and Valmiera. Group A consists of the first qualifier from ADR, along with Czech Republic, Spain and Slovak Republic. Group B consists of Greece, Latvia, Poland and Hungary, with Group C consisting of Lithuania, Russia, Turkey and Serbia. The final 4 contestants in Group D include Belarus, France and Israel along with the second qualifier from ADR. ADR will take place between Bosnia, Finland, Great Britain and Romaina and will be held between 4 and 19 January 2009.

FIBA Europe will also hold a number of other events in July 2009, which include U19 World Championship Men, U18 European Championship Women, Division A to be held from 2 July to 12 July 2009 in Sweden, U18 European Championship Women, Division B to be held in 2-12 July 2009     at Eilat, Israel, U20 European Championship Women, Division A from 9-19 July 2009 at Gdansk, Poland, U20 European Championship Women, Division B from 7-15 July 2009 at Ohrid, FYROM and U18 European Championship Women, Division C from 13-19 July 2009 at Malta, Malta.

2009 fixtures also includes U20 European Championship Men, Division A from 16-26 July 2009 at Rhodes, Greece, U20 European Championship Men, Division B from 16-26 July 2009 at Skopje, FYROM, U18 European Championship Men, Division C from 20-25 July 2009 at Malta, Malta and U18 European Championship Men, Division A from 23 Jul. - 2 Aug. 2009 at Metz, France.  Later, schedule continue with U18 European Championship Men, Division B from 23 Jul. - 2 Aug. 2009 at Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, U19 World Championship Women from 23 Jul. - 2 Aug. 2009 at Thailand, U16 European Championship Women, Division A from 30 Jul.- 9 Aug. 2009 at Naples, Italy, and finally U16 European Championship Women, Division B from 30 Jul.- 9 Aug. 2009 at Tallin, Estonia.

Some more events have been scheduled in the months of August 2009 and September 2009 by FIBA Europe.

They are played between the national teams of the continents which consist of Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania, and serves as the qualifying tournament for the FIBA World Championship for Women's and the Olympic Games. This is why these basketball championships are called Pre-Olympics and both men and women championships are held under FIBA Americas.

The South American Championship for women is scheduled to take place on 1 March 2009 this year. 2009 FIBA Americas Tournament for Women will be hosted by Brazil, in the city of Cuiaba, in the state Mato Grosso. This championship basketball tournament results will act as the qualifying round for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games to be held in 2010 at Vancouver, Canada.

The 2007 FIBA Americas Championship for women was the qualifying tournament for the FIBA Americas at the women's basketball tournament and served as the pre-Olympic round for the 2008 Summer Olympics which were held at Beijing, China. The championship was the 9th FIBA American Women's Basketball Championship, which makes this year to be the 10th edition of this biennial event.

8 teams participated in the 2007 Americas Championship event, which was held in Valdivia, Chile from September 26 to September 30, with USA being the winners of the championship. The tournament started with 2 groups, Group A and Group B with 4 teams each. These consisted of Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Mexico in Group A and USA, Cuba, Canada and Jamaica in Group B. The final was held on 30 September between USA and Cuba, at the Antonio Azurmendi Coliseum, Valdivia, with USA beating Cuba by 101-71, winning the 2007 basketball championship for FIBA Americas Championship for Women.

The final standings for the event in order were USA at Rank 1, followed by Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Mexico and Jamaica at Rank 8. The runners up and winners of the bronze gold medal get a chance through the FIBA Wildcard Tournament to compete in the 2008 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Some of the earlier teams to win the title for FIBA Americas Championship for Women include Cuba in 1989, USA in 1993, Canada in 1995, Brazil in 1997, Cuba again in 1999, Brazil in 2001, Brazil again in 2003, Cuba again for a 3rd time in 2005, and USA for a 2nd time in 2007. 2009 will bring another exciting round of this exciting event where some of the top teams will be seen competing for this title to participate in the upcoming Olympics next year.
2008 Olympic basketball results for Women's basketball were Unites States as gold medalists, Australia as Silver medalists, Russia as Bronze medallists and China at the fourth place.

View all basketball livescores with the click of your mouse.

In early December 1891, Dr. James Naismith, a minister on the faculty of a college for YMCA professionals (today, Springfield College) in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, hunted a strong enclosed brave to keep his students dominated and at correct levels of condition during the long New England winters. After rejecting other thoughts as whichever too harsh or poorly competent to walled-in gymnasiums, he wrote the prime system and nailed a peach basket against an 10-foot (3.05 m) high trail. In diverge with current basketball nets, this peach basket retained its bottom, so balls scored into the basket had to be poked out with a long dowel each time. A soccer sphere was worn to squirt goals.

Dr. Naismith's handwritten diaries of the time suggest that he was nervous about this invention, which incorporated system from a Canadian children's ready called "Duck on a Rock," as many had botched before it. Dr. Naismith himself was originally from Canada.

Naismith's new sport is extremely related to the tough of lineup handball, which had already been imaginary in the early 1890s.

The first approved basketball amusement was played in the YMCA gymnasium on January 20, 1892 with nine players, on a date just half the amount of an introduce-day National Basketball Association (NBA) risk. "Basket globe," the name optional by one of Naismith's students, was popular from the start.

Women's basketball began in 1892 at Smith College when Senda Berenson, an objective education lecturer, modified Naismith's system for women.

Basketball's early adherents were dispatched to YMCAs throughout the United States, and it briefly stretch through the USA and Canada. By 1895, it was well established at some women's high schools. While the YMCA was responsible for primarily developing and spreading the amusement, within a decade it discouraged the new sport, as trying play and raucous crowds began to detract from the YMCA's first mission. However, other amateur sports clubs, colleges, and professional clubs quickly full the void. In the days before World War I, the Amateur Athletic Union and the Intercollegiate Athletic Association (forerunner of the NCAA) vied for check over the rules for the amusement.

Basketball was originally played with a soccer globe. The first balls made specifically for basketball were brunette, and it was only in the overdue 1950s that Tony Hinkle, searching for a globe that would be more visible to players and spectators alike, introduced the orange ball that is now in general use.

Dribbling, the bouncy of the ball up and down while pathetic, was not part of the unique willing except for the "bounce lapse" to teammates. Passing the ball was the primary means of ball travel. Dribbling was eventually introduced but narrow by the asymmetric character of early balls. Dribbling only became a chief part of the willing around the 1950s as manufacturing improved the ball profile.

Basketball, netball, dodgeball, volleyball, and lacrosse are the only ball playoffs which have been identified as being false by North Americans. Other ball playoffs, such as baseball and Canadian football, have Commonwealth of Nations, European, Asian or African connections.

Nike does it again with their Shox line of footwear. Nike Shox shoes, sneaker, and clogs defy the laws of physics by giving you an unnatural amount of bounce in your step. Yet at the same time, they help absorb all the pressure when you come down. Ideally designed for athletes seeking that ultimate edge over their competition. They have over 60 different types of Nike Shox shoes for men, women, and kids.

The Nike Shox 2:45 offers the best of both worlds: a fusion of Nike Shox™ technology with Zoom Air™ cushioning. You get the same buoyancy of the Nike Shox columns but with a special low-profile response typically found in Nike Air Zoom shoes. Available for men and women.

The Nike women's basketball shoes are a great fashion statement. Several top women basketball players use Nike shoes to play WNBA and NCAA games. Women in other walks of life also use these shoes because they are lightweight and well cushioned. The most popular of Nike's basketball shoes are the Dunk series. These basketball shoes were introduced in 1985, and became a rage in most American campuses. Nike attributes a part of the success of these shoes to the highly successful sponsorship campaign that it launched at that time targeting American colleges. The result was that Nike Dunks in their flashy colors became a major fashion symbol across the nation. In fact, they became the forerunner of the crazy basketball-style shoes that swamped the market in the nineties. The Dunks were re-released in 1998, and this time they have caught the fancy of skaters too! The Nike Dunk series has two models. These are: Dunk Low, which costs $65, and Dunk Pro Low, which is priced at $31.99. Another Nike basketball shoe that won loud acclaim is Air Taurasi. This shoe, according to Nike, has been built for the energetic and dominating style of play of Diana Taurasi. The shoe has a full-grain leather and synthetic leather upper with heel TPU for increased support and lockdown, full-length polyurethane midsole, and a durable solid rubber outsole with herringbone and nubs for enhanced traction. The Air Taurasis are available in several color combinations. These include: black/metallic silver, white/metallic silver-midnight navy, white/metallic silver-black, white/metallic silver-varsity red and white/metallic silver-varsity royal. Besides this, Nike has a range of women's Shox Revolution basketball shoes. These shoes are considered most suitable for those women players who are looking for the best in lightweight support and responsive cushioning. These shoes come in a combination of white, orange and silver colors. Their prices range from $85 to $100.

When we hear the word camp, the first thing that comes into mind is assembling a tent and sleeping under the starry skies. For most, it is a form of adventure in the woods or anywhere conceivable. But for teachers and organizers, this is the act of teaming up to learn about something in particular. One good example for this is basketball camps. This kind of a camp is not something like a deed of a camping.

It is a season or like a course where a teacher which is usually a coach held in the hope of training basketball fanatics and enthusiasts to become somebody worth to join important teams in different associations. Some are just for the fun of it while others are formal trainings for highly potential players in the future.

Usually, basketball camps are paid trainings although there are some that are not. Paid trainings are usually held by clubs, coaches, and top players in the industry. While those free trainings are usually held by schools, government institutions, and for-a-cause organizations. These camps are usually attended by different types of people but there are camps that make a distinction, like for example women basketball, men basketball, and kid basketball camps.

In basketball camps, there are three people most important all through the camp duration:

1. The attendees. These are the people that enroll into the program. They are usually gauge by age and sex but will depend on the organizers. If it is a paid program, there are certain requirements asked before they can enroll like fees and certifications. They also provide for their food and clothing.

If it is a free program like in school, the organizers are free to choose and the attendees are required to pass some important sifting processes. The organizers may or may not provide food and camp clothing, depending on the budget provided by the sponsoring institution.

2. The lecturers or teachers, also coaches or instructors. They are the group of innovative, aggressive, and highly skilled individuals knowledgeable of the game and of the entire course in the camp. These people are the ones who will teach and motivate as well as share valuable core attitude to the attendees. They have the pressure of ensuring that their attendees learn and become professionals after the training. It is also expected that they are the authorities in the said camp and the discipline of the entire group will depend on them.

3. The organizers. These are a group of people or entities that spearheads the entire vision and mission of a specific camp, which in this case is a basketball camp. They may be government owned or private institutions that wishes to help nurture future talents through a series of trainings or basketball camps. These can also be a group of people who wants to earn and train through promoting skills and knowledge of the game.

These three are just the basic foundation of basketball camps as well as other types of sport and non-sport camps. There are still many people who belong to backroom staffs and personnel. These are the nurses, doctors, attendants, cleaners, caterers, and many others who can be in the camp depending on the budget of the camp organizers.

In the end, the camp is supposed to train and discipline every attendee to have a winning attitude not only in the camp but after the camp.

In early December 1891, Dr. James Naismith, a minister on the faculty of a college for YMCA professionals (today, Springfield College) in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, sought a vigorous indoor game to keep his students occupied and at proper levels of fitness during the long New England winters. After rejecting other ideas as either too rough or poorly suited to walled-in gymnasiums, he wrote the basic rules and nailed a peach basket onto an 10-foot (3.05 m) elevated track. In contrast with modern basketball nets, this peach basket retained its bottom, so balls scored into the basket had to be poked out with a long dowel each time. A soccer ball was used to shoot goals.

Dr. Naismith's handwritten diaries of the time indicate that he was nervous about this invention, which incorporated rules from a Canadian children's game called "Duck on a Rock", as many had failed before it. Dr. Naismith himself was originally from Canada.

Naismith's new game is quite similar to the game of team handball, which had already been invented in the early 1890s.

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 National Basketball Association (NBA) court. "Basket ball", the name suggested by one of Naismith's students, was popular from the beginning.

Women's basketball began in 1892 at Smith College when Senda Berenson, a physical education teacher, modified Naismith's rules for women.

Basketball's early adherents were dispatched to YMCAs throughout the United States, and it quickly spread through the USA and Canada. By 1895, it was well established at several women's high schools. While the YMCA was responsible for initially developing and spreading the game, within a decade it discouraged the new sport, as rough play and rowdy crowds began to detract from the YMCA's primary mission. However, other amateur sports clubs, colleges, and professional clubs quickly filled the void. In the years before World War I, the Amateur Athletic Union and the Intercollegiate Athletic Association (forerunner of the NCAA) vied for control over the rules for the game.

Basketball was originally played with a soccer ball. 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.

Dribbling, the bouncing of the ball up and down while moving, was not part of the original game except for the "bounce pass" to teammates. Passing the ball was the primary means of ball movement. Dribbling was eventually introduced but limited by the asymmetric shape of early balls. Dribbling only became a major part of the game around the 1950s as manufacturing improved the ball shape.

Basketball, netball, dodgeball, volleyball, and lacrosse are the only ball games which have been identified as being invented by North Americans. Other ball games, such as baseball and Canadian football, have Commonwealth of Nations, European, Asian or African connections.

Fans can find latest sports News, such as football and basketball scores as well as current events on the sports web sites. There is a long list of sports news sites. Now, people or sport lovers do not have to press buttons of TV remote to find out the various sports news, scores, and events at various news channels.

With the arrival of Internet, it has become possible for the sport lovers to get all the required information at their fingertips and that too within a matter of seconds. Readers can find the truth and rumors about basketball players and games through basketball news. Below is a description of certain well-known basketball news sources:

CNN sports web site provides the latest basketball news and basketball coverage. Fans can find top NBA stories through this site. They can find basketball coverage and news from renowned writers such as Marty Burns, Steve Aschburner, and Ian Thomsen. The web site also includes videos of the crucial match winning moments.

Fox sports web site displays score of current basketball coverage. It covers news for the basketball clubs such as Kings, Tigers, Bullets, Wildcats, Crocs, Taipans, Breakers, Blaze, 36ers, Razorbacks, Hawks, Singers, and Dragons.

WNBA web site covers the News and coverage of women basketball. Readers can find schedules of different matches on this site. The web site also includes basketball coverage and information related to players. The history column provides information on how the women basketball has shaped over the years.

Top 25 Basketball Teams:

ESPN has displayed the NCAA men's basketball rankings for the year 2008. The top 25 basketball teams are North Carolina, Memphis, UCLA, Kansas, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Texas, Georgetown, Duke, Stanford, Butler, Xavier, Louisville, Drake, Notre Dame, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Michigan State, Vanderbilt, Purdue, Washington State, Clemson, Davidson, Gonzaga, and Marquette.

Basketball enthusiasts may find best coaching and instruction information on most basketball web sites. They provide sources for basketball coaching sessions, basketball books and videos, basketball camps, and basketball equipment. They cover topics such as basics of basketball and motivational guidelines. There are chat rooms, where fans can discuss their favorite basketball players and teams.

The father of basketball, Dr. James Naismith came up with the game in 1892 and the first game was played in Beaver Falls Pennsylvania on April 8 1893 between the New Brighton YMCA and the Geneva College. The game was very popular and by 1914 as many as 360 colleges boasted basketball teams. In 1939, the first NCAA Men's College Basketball Championship tournament was held which was won by the University of Oregon.

The formation of Pro basketball in 1896 came about from a dispute between YMCA team members and officials and ended in the members forming a professional team that played for money. In 1898, the NBL (National Basketball League) was formed and produced the first basketball stars - Ed Wachter and Barney Sedran.

The first two professional basketball teams to achieve success were the Buffalo Germans and the Celtics but during the 1930's favorites included the New York Renaissance and the Harlem Globetrotters. During this time, womens basketball was also popular and produced great players such as Babe Didrikson and Alline Banks Sprouse.

In 1940, the first college basketball game was shown on TV. This game was played between Pittsburgh and Fordham at Madison Square Garden, and catapulted basketball into a national sensation. Since then basketball has been one of the most watched sports and in fact the March Madness, when almost 350 American colleges compete for the NCAA basketball crown is the most watched event in the United States.

In Pro basketball during the 1940's and 50's the Minneapolis Lakers were a huge favorite of many winning 5 NBA championship titles and producing starts like Bob Cousy and Bob Pettit. But during the late 1950's up until 1969, the Celtics had the court winning 11 NBA titles (8 f them right in a row). During this era favorite players included Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlin of the Philadelphia Warriors.

During 1963 to 1975 The University of California, Los Angeles was in the spotlight winning 10 national championships, including seven in a row. Some of the great players of this UCLA team include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jamaal Wilkes, Bill Walton, Gail Goodrich and Marques Johnson.

In 1967 the American Basketball Association (ABA) was formed and many will remember one of the satart players Julius Erving as well as their red white and blue basketballs. The ABA only lasted until 1976 when it broke up and many of the teams joined the NBA.

In the 1960's, womens basketball introduced the 5 player full court format and made dribbling fully legal but it wasn't until 1985 that the Basketball Hall of Fame began inducting woman coaches and players. Some of the first women to get this honor include Carol Blazejowski, Ann Meyers, Cheryl Miller; Nancy Lieberman-Cline and Anne Donovan.

In the late 1970's start players like Larry Bird of Indiana State University and Michigan State Universities Magic Johnson emerged and the late 1980s saw such major players as Isiah Thomas and Dennis Rodman. But perhaps the most beloved player of all is Michael Jordan who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in the 1990s.

The father of basketball, Dr. James Naismith came up with the game in 1892 and the first game was played in Beaver Falls Pennsylvania on April 8 1893 between the New Brighton YMCA and the Geneva College. The game was very popular and by 1914 as many as 360 colleges boasted basketball teams. In 1939, the first NCAA Men's College Basketball Championship tournament was held which was won by the University of Oregon.

The formation of Pro basketball in 1896 came about from a dispute between YMCA team members and officials and ended in the members forming a professional team that played for money. In 1898, the NBL (National Basketball League) was formed and produced the first basketball stars - Ed Wachter and Barney Sedran.

The first two professional basketball teams to achieve success were the Buffalo Germans and the Celtics but during the 1930's favorites included the New York Renaissance and the Harlem Globetrotters. During this time, womens basketball was also popular and produced great players such as Babe Didrikson and Alline Banks Sprouse.

In 1940, the first college basketball game was shown on TV. This game was played between Pittsburgh and Fordham at Madison Square Garden, and catapulted basketball into a national sensation. Since then basketball has been one of the most watched sports and in fact the March Madness, when almost 350 American colleges compete for the NCAA basketball crown is the most watched event in the United States.

In Pro basketball during the 1940's and 50's the Minneapolis Lakers were a huge favorite of many winning 5 NBA championship titles and producing starts like Bob Cousy and Bob Pettit. But during the late 1950's up until 1969, the Celtics had the court winning 11 NBA titles (8 f them right in a row). During this era favorite players included Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlin of the Philadelphia Warriors.

During 1963 to 1975 The University of California, Los Angeles was in the spotlight winning 10 national championships, including seven in a row. Some of the great players of this UCLA team include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jamaal Wilkes, Bill Walton, Gail Goodrich and Marques Johnson.

In 1967 the American Basketball Association (ABA) was formed and many will remember one of the satart players Julius Erving as well as their red white and blue basketballs. The ABA only lasted until 1976 when it broke up and many of the teams joined the NBA.

In the 1960's, womens basketball introduced the 5 player full court format and made dribbling fully legal but it wasn't until 1985 that the Basketball Hall of Fame began inducting woman coaches and players. Some of the first women to get this honor include Carol Blazejowski, Ann Meyers, Cheryl Miller; Nancy Lieberman-Cline and Anne Donovan.

In the late 1970's start players like Larry Bird of Indiana State University and Michigan State Universities Magic Johnson emerged and the late 1980s saw such major players as Isiah Thomas and Dennis Rodman. But perhaps the most beloved player of all is Michael Jordan who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in the 1990s.

The first official basketball history would be at YMCA in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1896. It was the fallout of a dispute between members of the YMCA team and a YMCA official, resulting in a professional team, playing for money. 2 years later, the National Basketball League was founded.

In the 2oth century, the top professional teams were the Buffalo Germans and the Original Celtics. The first major national professional league was the American Basketball League.

In the 30s, the most successful teams were the New York Renaissance and Harlem Globetrotters. Both of these teams consisted of all-black players.

In the 40s, the game was monopolized by the Minneapolis Lakers, led by George Mikan and coached by John Kundla. This team won 5 NBA championships in the decade.

Come the 50s, guard Bob Cousy and forward Bob Pettit were celebrated players. From 1957 to 1969, The Celtics won 11 NBA titles, 6 of them led by Bill Russell.

From 1963 to 1975, the UCLA team won ten national championships. Star players during this period were center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, center Bill Walton, guard Gail Goodrich, forward Jamaal Wilkes, and forward Marques Johnson. Abdul-Jabbar made history by becoming the leading scorer with 38,387 points in his career.

In the 80s, basketball was dominated by the Detroit Pistons with Isiah Thomas and Dennis Rodman.

And most recently, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls are the highlights of the 90s, with the Bulls winning 6 NBA titles. Star players in this period were Hakeem Olajuwon, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, David Robinson, Karl Malone, John Stockton, and Shaquille O'Neal. And the women star players were Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, Teresa Edwards, Lisa Leslie, and Jennifer Azzi.

Women basketball has also undergone some changes throughout the years. In 1966, dribbling was legalized in play. 3 years later, a 5-player full court format was introduced. In 1984, women officials (coaches, players) were admitted in the basketball hall-of-fame. Some of these famous women who obtained recognition for their skills and expertise were Ann Meyers, Carol Blazejowski, Cheryl Miller; Anne Donovan and Nancy Lieberman-Cline.

The NBA's rival was the American Basketball Association (ABA) and its trademark red, white, and blue basketballs. The best player for ABA was Julius Erving. ABA was dissolved in 1976.

The passing of years have seen the rise and fall of many teams and players. Without a doubt, all the players strive to do their best to be immortalized as the champions of the decade.

It all started with a child's game that the inventor, Dr. James Naismith used to play outside his schoolhouse when he was younger. This game was called duck-on-a-rock, it aimed to knock the duck off the rock by tossing another rock against it.

This then gave Dr. Naismith a concept of a game which he introduced to the students of YMCA Training School in 1891. Due to the cold weather, the trainees of the School for Christian Workers needed a game that could be played indoors and one that wouldn't use much strength. He then conceptualized a ball game that uses two baskets as goals with both teams competing for the most number of shots.

Apart from the game itself, he also outlined the first 13 rules on playing the game which covers the guidelines, distinction of violations and fouls, and the roles of both umpires and referees, including the duration of each game.

Thus, these events led to the actual birth of the game in December 21, 1881 when it was first played after Dr. Luther Gulick, the head of physical education at the YMCA, gave a two-week allowance for his employee to create a new game.

While the game would be developed in the following years, the students of the YMCA Training School loved it initially. It was even said that Dr. Naismith had a difficult time convincing his students to leave the game after each session.

The game went on to be played in the Olympics in Berlin, Germany where the USA Team beat the Canadian team with a score of 19-8. At this time, there were 22 nations that joined the competition. By 1976, Women's Basketball was introduced into the Olympics. 

On August 3, 1949 in New York City, the National Basketball Association was formed. But prior to that were the creations of National Basketball League (NBL) in 1937 and Basketball Association of America (BAA) in 1946. The NBA now serves as the largest group in the history of basketball. There are only two leagues left which retained their names since the formation of NBA, the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics.

The first women's collegiate basketball was splayed on April 4, 1896 in San Francisco's Page Street Armory where Cal and Stanford met. Unlike the physical and strenuous game we now see in WNBA, the women basketball teams back in 1896 retained their ladylike approach in the game and rules were even modified to accommodate this natural tendency. Stanford then won with a 2-1 score against Cal team.

These events led to the popularity of basketball in our time.

The history of women's college basketball started in Smith College for girls in 1893. But the first official basketball match played by women was between Stanford and Berkley in April 1896, which was played behind locked doors, for women eyes' only.

The first rules for women basketball were drawn up in 1901. These included rules that we would find peculiar today like having the basket sewn, where the umpire had to retrieve the ball after each score, and even playing on grass courts!

In 1975, the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics was formed and the first national basketball tournament for women was held. In the same year, the first All-American women basketball team was selected.

Only recently in 1996, the American Basketball League (ABL) was founded and WNBA a year later.

College basketball is supervised by the NCAAA. According to the NCAAA, there shall be 3 divisions for basketball to filter out the players. Division I is the most prominent and popular league that is participated by colleges that sponsor seven sports for women players. This is followed by Division 2, participated by colleges that hold four sports for women players while Division 3 is played by colleges that organize five sports and have two participating teams.

The winners of 31 matches will qualify for the annual basketball championship. Another 34 teams will be chosen by a selection committee. These teams are categorized into four pools and given seedings. The championship will be played on the 3rd Thursday of March every year between teams and the losers eliminated until a grand champion emerges.

It is without question that the governing body of women's basketball is important to ensure smooth running of championships and to preserve the standards of this game.

A Coaches note first. Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport of women's basketball and to foster and promote the development of the game of basketball as an amateur sport for women and girls.

Women's college basketball dates back to a game played at Smith College for girls in 1893 between freshmen against the sophomores. However, the first official women's basketball match was played between Stanford and Berkley in April 1896. This match was played behind locked doors and men were not allowed to watch women prancing on the basketball court.

The first rules governing women's basketball were written in 1901. However, these rules continued to be modified as the game evolved. The early years also saw some freak playing rules. For instance, the basket was sewn, and it was left to the umpire to retrieve the ball every time a basket was scored. Not only this, some games were played on grass courts!

It was only in 1975 that the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women conducted the first national basketball tournament for women, and in 1975, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association selected their first All-America Team. The American Basketball League (ABL) was founded in 1996 and the WNBA in 1997. These associations came up to stop American basketball players from moving to foreign leagues.

The college basketball, however, continues to be supervised by NCAAA, which has set up three divisions to filter the best players. Division I is the most prominent and popular league. Those colleges that sponsor at least 7 sports for women players play it. They are required to play all but two of their games against other women basketball teams in Division 1.

Division II includes those colleges that organize at least four sports each for women. These basketball teams are required to play at least half of their games against Division I or Division II teams. Division III includes those colleges that organize at least five sports with two teams.

The winners of 31 conferences automatically qualify for NCAA's annual women's basketball championship. The remaining 34 are chosen by a selection committee to make it a field of 64. These teams are then organized in four pools, with each pool seeded from one to 16.

The tourney starts on the third Thursday of March with the most hectic action-taking place in the first two days, when 32 teams make their exit. The next two days see another 16 teams making a bow. The competition heats up for the Final Four position, and then for the ultimate winner.

As some many women basketball players like Lisa Leslie, Tina Thompson and Cynthia Cooper became the best players for years; Candace Parker is the light in this generation. Her skills and amazing heart for the game is projected in the court. She just loves the game and enjoys every minute of it.

The new face of basketball has the potential to be Miller, Leslie and Cooper in one; she just has the skills to shoot, post and dunk the ball, whenever she wants. With only 22 years of age, this super woman has pulled off so many accomplishments as few have done. During this year she has achieved the NCAA title, being the No.1 draft in the WNBA, graduating with a degree in sports management; and just now, playing with the USA Team in the Olympics.

Looks like during her basketball career, Candace Parker, has done it almost all. When she was only 17 years old, Parker won the Slam Dunk contest of the McDonald's High School All-American Game, by beating five male participants in the contest; event that turned her into the first woman to do so. During her college career, Parker led the Tennessee Lady Val's to two NCAA titles. She was also named twice Most Outstanding Player of the Year, accomplishment only done by Miller, Holdsclaw and Taurasi. Moreover, Parker is also known as the first female to dunk in a NCAA tournament game and the second female after Lisa Leslie to dunk in a WNBA game.

According to some details given by someone close to Candace, she's getting a huge income through advertising, even bigger than most of the NBA players; and no wonder why, if she already has contracts with Adidas and Gatorade. Currently, Candace plays for the Sparks and if she decides to play overseas in the offseason, she may gain more money than any woman basketball player ever.

In the Olympics, Parker has done pretty amazing things helping the team reach their third win, and a 28-0 record internationally (since 1992). The team expects to win the next game and keep their record as further as they can, to eventually obtain the gold medal. Obviously, Parker hopes for her the triumph and the first Olympic gold medal in her career.

Parker said that being in the Olympics is something she always looked forward to do, and talked about how pleased and proud she feels being there representing the USA. "This is my first Olympics and I hope to come back numerous times" affirmed the American.

The WNBA and USA National Team former player, Dawn Staley, expressed herself about Parker and this is part of what she said "She has converted her game into something special. To see Candace grow and to see Candace do what she does is an incredible thing around the world. But things are better and out future incredible when you have someone like Candace who does what she does with her still needing to grow."

For sure Candace Parker will show us a lot of her potential in years to come, but she still has a long way to go, with a lot to learn and experience to gain.

Cindy Ferguson is a high-ranking writer on WNBA Basketball for the sports betting industry. You can also find more of her work at Instant Action Sports UK. Feel free to reprint this article in its whole on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.