Ayrton Oneill
The hook shot is a play in basketball where the offensive player, standing perpendicular to the basket, throws the ball in a sweeping motion with one hand, while the other arm is used to create space between the shooter and the defensive player. While the hook shot was reportedly first performed by Pranas Talzūnas during the Eurobasket 1937 games, it is often credited to former Harlem Globetrotter Goose Tatum. However, the shot became synonymous with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who perfected it and added variations, making it virtually unstoppable. Abdul-Jabbar himself credited his grade-school coach and local player George Hejduk for introducing him to the hook shot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First performed in official games | Eurobasket 1937 by Pranas Talzūnas |
| Inventor | Former Harlem Globetrotter Goose Tatum |
| Performed without looking at the basket | Goose Tatum |
| Other notable players | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Manute Bol, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Yao Ming, Vlade Divac, George Mikan, Jerry Lucas |
| Style | Skyhook, baby hook, jump hook |
| Difficulty | Hard to master, hard to aim |
| Rarity | Not commonly used |
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What You'll Learn
The hook shot's first appearance in an official game
The hook shot in basketball is a play where the offensive player, usually turned perpendicular to the basket, gently throws the ball using a sweeping motion of the arm farther from the basket in an upward arc with a follow-through that ends over their head. It is performed with only one hand, while the other arm is used to create space between the shooter and the defensive player.
The hook shot was reportedly first performed during official games in Eurobasket 1937 by Pranas Talzūnas, a member of the eventual champions, the Lithuania basketball team. Pranas Talzūnas is said to have perfected the hook shot, which was quite difficult to block, and only a small number of players have mastered it more than a few feet from the basket.
Former Harlem Globetrotter Goose Tatum is often credited with inventing the hook shot. He even shot them without looking at the basket. The hook shot later became a staple of many players in the National Basketball Association (NBA), including stars such as George Mikan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Vlade Divac, Wilt Chamberlain, and Yao Ming. In FIBA games, hook shots were a favored skill for centers before slam dunks became more popular, mainly because of the relative difficulty of blocking such shots.
NBA's Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer George Mikan developed a devastating hook shot while playing for DePaul University in the mid-1940s, as did Jerry Lucas, playing for Ohio State 15 years later. The hook shot became a trademark of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was proficient at shooting from a much greater distance from the basket than most players. This greater distance and the resulting higher arc on the shot led to the name "skyhook," coined during Abdul-Jabbar's tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks by the team's radio announcer, Eddie Doucette, who stated, "that hook was so high that it was coming out of the sky."
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Harlem Globetrotter Goose Tatum's role in popularising the shot
Although the hook shot was reportedly first performed by Pranas Talzūnas during the official games in EuroBasket 1937, former Harlem Globetrotter Goose Tatum is often credited with inventing and popularising the hook shot in basketball. Tatum played with the Globetrotters for 11 seasons, starting in 1942. He was an exceptionally talented athlete with a natural ability for basketball and an "uncannily accurate" hook shot. Tatum's performances caught the attention of Abe Saperstein, the founder of the Harlem Globetrotters, who signed him to the team.
Tatum's hook shot was so accurate that he could even shoot without looking at the basket. This, combined with his comedic timing and athletic ability, made him a standout player and a force to be reckoned with on the court. He frequently scored more than fifty points in a game and is remembered as one of the greatest basketball players of his era.
Tatum's impact extended beyond his playing career. He was the first person elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's Early African-American Pioneers of the Game committee. His jersey number 50 was retired by the Globetrotters in 2002, sixty years after his first season with the team. This honour was bestowed upon him during a ceremony at Madison Square Garden, where he was also entered into the Globetrotters' "Legends" Ring.
Tatum's legacy is that of a true pioneer and innovator in the world of basketball. His induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame further cements his impact on the sport and his role in popularising the hook shot.
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Mastering the hook shot
The hook shot is a difficult skill to master, and even harder to consistently make the shot, but it can be a great way to gain quick points and outsmart your defender. It is a rare skill, so it can be a great way to differentiate yourself from the competition and keep the defence guessing.
The hook shot was first performed in official games in 1937 by Pranas Talzūnas, a member of the Lithuania basketball team. It was then popularised by Harlem Globetrotter, Goose Tatum, who could reportedly shoot them without even looking at the basket. The hook shot was perfected and made famous by NBA legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who added his own variations, including the skyhook, which was virtually unstoppable due to his height. Abdul-Jabbar added a slight hip and shoulder fake to throw off defenders and used his off-arm to create space between himself and the defender.
To master the hook shot, it is recommended to practice your form, ensuring you are not directly facing the basket, and using your non-dominant hand to create space between you and the defender. It is also important to be in the right position, as this shot requires proper placement, form, and balance. It is a difficult shot to master, so it will take time and patience, but it can be a valuable skill to have on game day.
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Why the hook shot is rarely used in the NBA
The hook shot is a play where the offensive player, usually turned perpendicular to the basket, gently throws the ball using a sweeping motion of the arm farther from the basket in an upward arc with a follow-through that ends over their head. The hook shot was reportedly first performed during official games in Eurobasket 1937 by Pranas Talzūnas, a member of the Lithuania basketball team. It later became a staple of many players in the NBA, including stars such as George Mikan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Wilt Chamberlain.
Despite its historical prevalence and the fact that it can be a great way to gain some quick points, the hook shot is rarely used in the NBA today. One reason for this is the physicality of low-post basketball, which has made the ""jump hook"" a more popular style of hook shot. Additionally, the NBA is centered around the 3-point shot, so most players are not working in the paint, where hook shots are typically utilized.
Another reason for the decline of the hook shot is its difficulty. The hook shot takes a lot of coordination and touch, as the ball is released far above the player's head with one hand and off of one leg. While it can be a deadly shot if mastered, it is not a shot that teams value highly anymore, so there is less incentive for players to work on perfecting it. Furthermore, because the hook shot is so difficult, it is not an efficient shot. It is harder to aim than other "close-in" shots, and most players cannot make it with a high enough percentage to justify taking it regularly.
The evolution of the game and rule changes have also contributed to the decline of the hook shot. The game is moving away from the post-game, prioritizing point-blank layups, backdoor cuts, and long-range shots over the grueling duels that often end in less efficient attempts. Additionally, as teams can now help more on defense, it has become harder to post up, which was once a common way to create hook shot opportunities.
Finally, the type of player that typically used the hook shot is less common in today's NBA. The traditional post-up big man with a highly skilled offensive game is less prevalent, with most big men now valued primarily for their size, athleticism, and defensive abilities rather than their offensive skills.
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's sky hook
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook is considered one of the greatest and most effective shots in the history of basketball. Abdul-Jabbar perfected the hook shot, a technique where the offensive player, standing perpendicular to the basket, uses a sweeping motion of the arm farthest from the basket to throw the ball in an upward arc. The skyhook was an incredibly difficult shot to block, and Abdul-Jabbar was so proficient at it that it became his signature move.
Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook was so effective that it played a significant role in his assault on Wilt Chamberlain's all-time NBA scoring record, which he eventually broke on April 5, 1984, with a hook shot. The height and arc of his skyhook, which was accomplished due to his extreme height, made it almost impossible for defenders to block. The shot was coined the "skyhook" by Milwaukee Bucks radio announcer Eddie Doucette, who described it as "coming out of the sky".
The skyhook was a staple of Abdul-Jabbar's game throughout his career, and he could shoot it "whenever, wherever, and however he wanted". It was a key factor in many of his team's victories, including a critical shot in an overtime playoff victory in Portland and the game-winning shot in Magic Johnson's first professional game as a Laker. Abdul-Jabbar's mastery of the skyhook made him a dominant force in the NBA, averaging an impressive 28.8 ppg and 14.5 rpg as a rookie.
The hook shot was first performed during official games by Pranas Talzūnas, a member of the Lithuania basketball team, in Eurobasket 1937. However, Abdul-Jabbar's exceptional skill and frequent use of the skyhook popularized the shot and made it his trademark. Today, it remains one of the most iconic and deadly shots in the history of the NBA.
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Frequently asked questions
Former Harlem Globetrotter Goose Tatum is often credited with inventing the hook shot, although he was preceded by Pranas Talzūnas, a member of the Lithuania basketball team, who performed the shot during official games in EuroBasket 1937.
A hook shot is performed by the offensive player, usually turned perpendicular to the basket, who gently throws the ball using a sweeping motion of the arm farther from the basket in an upward arc with a follow-through that ends over their head.
The hook shot is not an efficient shot as it is much more difficult than other "close-in" shots and is harder to aim.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is famous for his skyhook, a variation of the hook shot. Other NBA players known for their hook shots include Wilt Chamberlain, Manute Bol, Magic Johnson, and Shaquille O'Neal.
