James Naismith (physician and educator)

James Naismith was a Canadian-born physical educator and physician best known for inventing basketball in 1891. While teaching at a YMCA in Massachusetts, he developed the sport to provide an indoor activity that promoted fitness and teamwork during winter. Naismith designed the original game with 13 basic rules and used a soccer ball and peach baskets as goals. His invention quickly grew in popularity and evolved into the global sport played today. Beyond basketball, Naismith's contributions to physical education emphasized the importance of organized sports for promoting health, teamwork, and character development.