Top 9 Quotes & Sayings by James Naismith

Explore popular quotes and sayings by a Canadian inventor James Naismith.

Last updated on April 19, 2025.

James Naismith was a Canadian-American physical educator, physician, Christian chaplain, sports coach, and inventor of the game of basketball. After moving to the United States, he wrote the original basketball rule book and founded the University of Kansas basketball program. Naismith lived to see basketball adopted as an Olympic demonstration sport in 1904 and as an official event at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, as well as the birth of the National Invitation Tournament (1938) and the NCAA Tournament (1939).

Canadian - Inventor | November 6, 1861 - November 28, 1939

Source: Wikipedia

I am sure that no man can derive more pleasure from money or power than I do from seeing a pair of basketball goals in some out of the way place.

James Naismith

Be strong in body, clean in mind, lofty in ideals.

James Naismith

The invention of basketball was not an accident. It was developed to meet a need. Those boys simply would not play 'Drop the Handkerchief.'

James Naismith

In case of dispute, the umpire shall throw it straight into the field.

James Naismith

Basketball really had its origin in Indiana, which remains the center of the sport.

James Naismith

Basketball doesn't build character it reveals it.

James Naismith

The invention of basketball was not an accident. It was developed to meet a need.

James Naismith

Games have been called the lab for the development of moral attributes, but they will not, of themselves, accomplish this purpose. They must be properly conducted by competent individuals.

James Naismith

Basketball is a pure invention.

James Naismith

Top 9 Quotes & Sayings by James Naismith

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