The Malvern Basketball League is in its 19th year of existence and has expanded from 6 teams to over 300 teams.
The journey has undoubtedly been fascinating as the league has grown in leaps and bounds, with players from Malvern league good enough to be NBA picks and being recruited to play Collegiate basketball.
The article explores the fascinating journey of Basketball in Malvern and around the world:
The Malvern Basketball Stadium
The Malvern Basketball Stadium was built through the Malvern Hoops Campaign, organized by local basketball enthusiasts Jon May and Tom Bennett.
After about 20 years of use, the stadium had become derelict, and no other location in Malvern was suitable for playing this esteemed sport.
The pair expressed their concern to the local council, put together a proposal, and started the campaign in 2016.
There were presentations, fund-raising campaigns, and a fantastic opportunity the pair seized to promote their campaign in London during halftime at the EuroBasket 2017 Qualifier between team GB and Hungary at the Copperbox Arena.
After all these interruptions caused by the pandemic and lousy weather, the stadium was officially opened on 29th August 2021 at noon by Mayor Cllr Nick Houghton and Cllr Cynthia Palmer.
The movement inspired people worldwide to improve Basketball in their area, and they wanted to use the Malvern Hoops Campaign as their precedent.
Basketballs used to be Brown.
Basketballs were originally brown, but the color was difficult for the players and fans to see. Coach Tony Hinkle of Butler University proposed creating an orange ball in 1957 to improve ball visibility.
Basketball was Invented as an Exercise.
James Naismith created Basketball in 1891 as a method for students to stay active and occupied indoors during the winter.
At the time, he was a physical education instructor at the International YMCA Training School (now Springfield College).
The school janitor donated a peach basket, which was used to make the first hoops attached to balcony ledges.
Popularity
Basketball is becoming more popular in Europe and worldwide due to increased media coverage from TV channels such as the EuroLeague and FIBA.
Basketball is currently one of the most popular sports in the European Youth Leagues due to the lower entry barriers than soccer.
Basketball in Europe is a Little Different Than it is in America
One significant difference is that European basketball players do not prioritize acquiring the best players.
Instead, they get talented players who understand how to work well together. As a result, rather than having all-star athletes, they have more cohesive units.
Another significant difference between Basketball in America and Basketball in Europe is that European teams use fewer zone defenses.
It leads to faster-paced games with more scoring chances for both teams.
Their basketball season schedules also differ; European basketball leagues begin to play in late August or early September and continue until May/June, whereas American teams play from October to April/May.
The First Basketball Game in Europe
Basketball was first played in Europe in 1893 at YMCA in Paris, France. It was facilitated by Mel Rideout when he served as the French delegate at the June 1894 YMCA Jubilee Convention.
FIBA Europe
The International Basketball Federation, or Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA), is an association of national organizations governing international competitions.
FIBA Europe, one of its five zones, oversees Basketball in Europe and includes all 50 national European basketball federations.
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, FIBA Europe required that no official basketball competitions be held in Russia or Belarus and that the Russian Basketball Federation and the Belarusian Basketball Federation’s teams be removed from national team competitions and the club competition season 2022-23.
Sergei Belov
In 1992, Sergei Belov became the first international player in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Many regard Sergei as one of the greatest European basketball players in history.
He was a member of the Soviet team that defeated the United States to claim the gold medal at the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics.
