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Similar to other the other areas of basketball I am covering, the technology of basketball hoops has changed dramatically since the creation of the game. As the world's technology advanced since the creation of basketball, basketball hoops have also improved tremendously since its creation.
The first basketball hoop ever created was created in 1891 by James Naismith. He created this hoop at the YMCA, where he worked at the time. The first hoop he ever made consisted of a peach basket that was placed ten feet in the air. Throughout time, basketball hoops have evolved to include a net and rim. James Naismith was even put into the Basketball Hall of Fame due to his creations. Today, different basketball hoops can be found all over the world in all colors.
The first basketball hoop
The first basketball hoop
This hoop was made out of a peach basketball, and at this time, basketball balls weren't invented yet so people were forced to use a soccer ball.
Evolution
Evolution
The next step in the basketball hoops evolution was replacing the peach hoop with a metal rim and netting. Although even this wasn't perfect, and the netting was low that players had to go up and tip the ball out whenever they scored. Although this was changed, and by 1906, the bottom of the net was finally cut to allow the ball to fall through.
Pro Leagues
Pro Leagues
One of the first leagues to use modern-day basketball hoops was the American Basketball League. This league used metal rims, nets, and backboards and ran from 1925 to 1931 before merging with another league to create the NBA.
Modern day
Modern day
Today, because of the advance in technology, the NBA has been extremely specific in regard to hoop requirements. For example, per the NBA rule book, hoops much be 18 inches in diameter, the net can be between 15 and 18 inches in length, the rim must be precisely ten feet from the floor, the backboard has to be six feet wide, and 4 feet tall, and new modern-day hoops also have a "breakaway feature" that allows the rim to bend when a player dunks, so the backboard doesn't get shattered.
A basketball hoop today
A basketball hoop today
Today, you can find many different kinds of basketball hoops, and this one even has a chain net!
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