The First Team
From Hoopedia
Dr. Naismith's gym class produced the first team in 1891. They consisted of nine players and their coach, pictured here on the steps of Springfield College Gymnasium in 1891. Back row: John G. Thompson, New Glasgow, N.S.; Eugene S. Libby, Redlands, Cal.; Edwin P. Ruggles, Milton, Mass.; William R. Chase, New Bedford, Mass.; T. Duncan Patton, Montreal, Que. Center: Frank Mahan, Memphis, Tenn.; James Naismith, Almonte, Ont. Front row: F. G. Macdonald, Pictou, N.S.; William H. Davis, Holyoke, Mass.; Lyman W. Archibald, Truro, N.S.
The first basketball game was played on December 21, 1891. The team that emerged from Dr. James Naismith's gym class is now enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
"There were 18 in the class," Naismith said years later. "I selected two captains and had them choose sides. I placed the men on the floor. There were three forwards, three centers and three backs on each team. I chose two of the center men to jump, then threw the ball between them. It was the start of the first basketball game and the finish of trouble with that class."
Halfway into the 30 minute game, William R. Chase made the first basket ever; as a result, his side won, 1-0.
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Roster
Honored in the Hall of Fame as members of the first team are:
- James Naismith (not the Coach; he didn't think coaches were needed)
- Lyman W. Archibald
- William R. Chase
- William H. Davis
- Eugene S. Libby
- F. G. Macdonald
- Frank Mahan
- T. Duncan Patton
- Edwin P. Ruggles
- John G. Thompson
- Franklin Everets Barnes
- Wilbert Franklin Carey
- George Edward Day
- Benjamin Snell French
- Henry Gelan
- Ernest Gotthold Hildner
- Genzaburo Ishikawa
- Raymond Pimlott Kaighn
- George Radford Weller
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