Invented by James Naismith in the the 1800's. 
Athletes had no sports to play inside when the winter came.  James Naismith hung two peach baskets on a wall and played with a soccer ball.

When the game was first invented, each team had a goal keeper, 2 guards, 3 center men, 2 wings, and a home-man.
In 1949, the NBL( National BAsketball League) and the BAA( Basketball Association of America) joined together to form the NBA(National Basketball Association).

 

Michael Jordan

Allen Iverson

Kobe Bryant