Immerse yourself in the world of hoops at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Having raised two sons who were very active in sports, I’ve attended many games and matches over the years; soccer, basketball, football, baseball, tennis, wrestling, etc. Of these activities, basketball was my favorite and continues to be so today. The sport is quick, exciting and easy to follow. And it’s held inside, which rules out any issues with weather. 

On a recent trip to Boston for a family event, my husband and I took a side excursion to check out the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA, the birthplace of the game. We’d already visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH, as well as the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY., so with this trip to Springfield we would be able to complete the Hall of Fame trifecta. 

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is “dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level.” It occupies a 40,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art building that’s chock full of basketball history to wow even the most avid sports fans. 

Each year, approximately 200,000 people journey to this hallowed place. They come to learn more about the game’s roots, experience interactive exhibits, challenge their skills on the Jerry Colangelo “Court of Dreams,” and gaze in awe at the vast collection of memorabilia on display. 

The Hall of Fame is perhaps best known for its yearly marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite. There are over 450 inductees currently, including coaches, players, refs, contributors and teams 

You’ll learn that this shrine to the game of hoops had humble beginnings. It officially opened its doors on the campus of Springfield College in 1968. But the seeds for the Hall were planted thirty years before when the U.S. defeated Canada in the gold medal game of the Berlin Olympics, with a man named Dr. James Naismith in attendance.

Dr. Naismith was the founder of the game of basketball, which can be traced back to December 21, 1891. On that fateful day, Naismith, a physical education instructor, introduced a new game that became known as “basket ball” to his class of young men at the YMCA International Training School in Springfield. The objective was to throw a round ball into a round basket (peach baskets were used in the beginning) tacked to a balcony ten feet above the floor. Though the winning team in that first go-around was only able to make one basket, the game caught on quickly and by 1894, basketball was being played in more than a dozen other countries. 

Flash forward to 1936 and that gold medal game. Dr. Naismith was present, thanks to the generosity of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, which raised the money to send the game’s inventor to Berlin. After Dr. Naismith died in 1936, the organization campaigned to erect a memorial to him and his game. This was the impetus to create a Hall of Fame.

When the original Hall of Fame outgrew its facility, expansion plans were made for a new Hall that would be the world’s main source of all things basketball. In the ensuing years, the popularity of the game continued to soar with players like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson taking it to new levels. And then came Michael Jordan, who along with many others, pushed basketball to stratospheric heights.

The second Hall of Fame opened on June 30, 1985, and more than ten thousand fans descended upon Springfield for the dedication. They came from all over the country and six of the seven continents.

Once again, however, the insane growth and popularity of the sport prompted another relocation for the Hall of Fame. The third and current Hall opened in 2002 to much fanfare. It stands as an impressive testament to the game Dr. Naismith invented all those years ago. 

Touring the Hall is a delight, though from the outside of the building, you might not get the best impression, as it’s located in a nondescript strip mall. Once inside, however, you know you’ve arrived in “Hoops Heaven…the earthly home of the game’s immortals.” 

An introductory film sets the stage and then you’ll head up to the third floor to begin your visit. Here’s where you can measure your wingspan, hand size, height and more against some celebrated players, both men and women. As a petite woman, it was quite an amusing experience and I felt like I was in a scene from “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids!” 

At this level, you can also get a great view of the Center Court and watch people of all ages shoot hoops. There’s even a special section for very young kids so the whole family can participate.

On the second floor, you’ll dive into the history of basketball, its global influence, the origins of the NBA and National Basketball Players Association. It’s fascinating to learn how the game evolved over time – the rules, the equipment, strategies, playing styles, the court, venues and uniforms. For example, it was initially legal for a player to pick up his or her dribble and keep dribbling. Also, if a ball went out of bounds, it was given to the team that got to it first.

The basketballs were laced and baskets were closed-bottom. This necessitated that every time a basket was made, the ref had to use a stick to tip the hoop for the ball to roll out. It also meant that each score required a jump ball at center court. 

At one point in time, they enclosed the courts in a wire mesh cage to protect spectators from players going after loose balls, and to protect players from over-zealous fans. That’s why early hoopsters were often called “cagers.”

Uniforms went through many progressions, too. The tops were made of wool or cotton using looms that looped the threads a certain way, allowing the fabric to breathe. This “jersey” style knit gave basketball tops their name. Players had to wear knee pads because the floors often had defects like protruding nails.

I had to chuckle at the woman’s uniform on display from a game at Smith College in 1893. These gals were shooting hoops in long skirts and long-sleeved, buttoned blouses! 

There are various other galleries devoted to distinguished players and coaches, with some of basketball’s greatest treasures on display, from clothing items and shoes (the size of which you can’t imagine!) to championship rings, trophies, etc., plus lots and lots of photos. This is definitely the “meat” of the museum.

Superfans receive recognition, too, for their diehard devotion to the sport and their teams. Among those featured are Spike Lee, Jack Nicholson, Billy Crystal and Penny Marshall. 

Kobe Bryant has an exhibit of his own. “Kobe: Basketball Life,” was designed by Bryant’s Wife, Vanessa. It includes memorabilia from Bryant’s days with the Lakers and includes shoes and jerseys, as well as championship rings. There are also photos and original art pieces. And you can watch his short film, “Dear Basketball,” which won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2017. 

TNT’s “Inside the NBA” offers visitors the opportunity to sit behind the desk and play commentator alongside host Ernie Johnson and analysts Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal. And museum staff will video you so you’ll have a lasting memory of your performance. Unfortunately, this popular show will likely end after the 2024-25 season, due to the loss of TNT’s NBA media rights. 

“The Vault: Boston Celtics Unlocked” is a new exhibit, which opened last summer and will be on display for a limited time. It’s set in an immersive bank vault, where a shrine of memorabilia traces the storied history of the Celtics. Authentic game-worn jerseys from former and current players like Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Larry Bird, Bill Russell, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Al Horford line the walls. Other artifacts include players’ shoes, championship rings, the original 1981 NBA Championship trophy, video footage of notable game moments and even one of Hall of Fame Coach Red Auerbach’s famous cigars he smoked during an era when the Celtics won eight straight championships. 

In total, there are around seventy items on display to give you a taste of what Celtic pride means. The exhibit is part of a new rotating series where a specific theme or player will occupy the “Vault” for several months. 

And there’s the Hall of Honor, where you’ll find the names of all those enshrined, starting from 1959. The inaugural class included the esteemed Dr. James Naismith. Most recent inductees include former NBA stars Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups, along with Michael Cooper and Jerry West – who is the first person inducted into the Hall as both a player and a contributor. 

There are also women inductees, though far fewer than men, as expected. The first woman, Senda Berenson Abbott, wasn’t enshrined into the Hall until 1985. She was considered the “Mother of Women’s Basketball.” There’s now a WNBA Hall of Fame, too, in Knoxville, TN.

A dynamic, animated video-wall revives some of the most celebrated moments in the history of the sport, while another display depicts a signature moment for each of the inductees. There are also interactive stations, allowing you the opportunity to take a deep dive into all those enshrined.

Back down on the first floor, where Center Court is, you’ll have a chance to shoot as many basketballs as you want, if the spirit moves you. You’ll even have a chance to try making a shot in a peach basket to give you a feel for what it was like for players back in Naismith’s days.

Outside the court, check out the glass “locker” cases featuring some of the greats (i.e. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Pete Maravich) and their accomplishments, along with their stats. 

Another area in this space is devoted to collegiate awards. And then there’s a special section detailing the Ice Cube Impact Award. This honor was bestowed upon the rap star, film producer, actor, entrepreneur and BIG3 Basketball League co-founder, Ice Cube, to “recognize his contributions to basketball and his commitment to fostering dialogues on inclusivity and equal opportunity.”  

Ice Cube was presented with this award last Jan. 2024 at the Hall of Fame. Going forward, the award will be given each year to “legendary individuals who have brought about significant changes and uplifted the basketball community.”

To cap off our visit to the Basketball Hall of Fame, my husband and I, along with one of our sons, later attended a Boston Celtics game at their storied home, TD Garden. This was not just any game though. It was the first regular season game, and as 2024 NBA Champs, the Celtics were proudly presented with their championship rings. It was fun to be part of this celebration and to watch them raise the franchise’s 18th championship banner to close the book on their title. This team has won the most championships of any NBA team. The night ended on a high note when the Celtics beat the Knicks with a punctuated rout!

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