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While James Naismith is widely credited with inventing basketball in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, there is a long-standing conspiracy theory that Lambert G. Will, a YMCA athletic director in Herkimer, New York, actually came up with the idea for the game. This theory, popularized by basketball promoter Frank J. Basloe in his 1952 book I Grew Up With Basketball, claims that Will played a key role in developing the rules of basketball and that the first game was played in Herkimer in 1891, almost a year before Naismith's game. The primary evidence for this theory includes photographs of the Herkimer basketball team with a ball dated 1891-1892 and letters allegedly sent between Will and Naismith. While Will's descendants and the Herkimer community continue to advocate for his recognition, others, including Naismith's descendants, dispute the extent of his involvement, arguing that he merely witnessed a game organized by Naismith and introduced it to Herkimer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lambert G. Will |
| Position | Athletic Director at Herkimer YMCA |
| Relationship with James Naismith | Replied to Naismith's letter with suggestions for rules |
| Suggested Rules | Passing the ball instead of rolling it |
| Family Members | Rick Will (grandson), Lawrence Will (great-grandson), Mary (grandmother) |
| Contributions to Basketball | First basketball net (knitted by his mother), first rim (made at Herkimer Iron Works) |
| Year of Alleged First Game | 1891 |
| Location of Alleged First Game | Herkimer YMCA |
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Lambert Will's suggestions for basketball rules
While the widely accepted narrative is that Dr. James Naismith invented basketball in 1891, there are several conspiracy theories that suggest Lambert G. Will, the YMCA director in Herkimer, New York, played a significant role in the creation of the game. It is important to note that Will's descendants do not claim that he invented basketball, but they do assert that he provided suggestions to improve the game.
Now, let's explore Lambert Will's purported suggestions for basketball rules:
Passing the Ball: One of Will's notable suggestions was to introduce passing the ball by hand instead of rolling it across the court. This idea of hand passing is said to have been included in the 13 original rules displayed at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Cutting the Bottom out of Peach Baskets: Will is also credited with the idea of cutting a hole in the bottom of the peach baskets to retrieve the ball more easily. Initially, after a basket was scored, the game would be temporarily stopped, and a ladder was needed to retrieve the ball from the basket. Will's suggestion to cut a hole in the bottom of the baskets improved the flow of the game.
Introducing a Bouncable Ball and Dribbling: Some sources attribute the introduction of a bouncable ball and the dribble to Will. This suggestion allowed players to move the ball up the court by bouncing it instead of solely relying on passing.
Standardizing the Basketball Court: Will is also said to have suggested standardizing the dimensions of the basketball court, ensuring consistent playing areas across different venues.
Metal Rim and Net: According to some accounts, Will contributed the idea of using a metal rim and a net for the baskets. This suggestion improved the functionality and durability of the goals.
While these are the purported suggestions attributed to Lambert G. Will, it is important to note that the extent of his involvement remains a subject of debate. The Naismith family and supporters have strongly refuted these claims, asserting that James Naismith was the sole inventor of basketball.
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Will's contributions to basketball
While the invention of basketball is widely credited to James Naismith, there is evidence to suggest that Lambert Will, a 19-year-old athletic director at a YMCA in Herkimer, New York, played a significant role in the development of the sport.
The primary piece of evidence supporting Will's involvement is a photograph of the Herkimer basketball team dated 1892. The ball in the picture has "91-92" written on it, indicating that the team was formed in 1891, a year before Naismith's first official game in early 1892. This suggests that Will may have been playing basketball before Naismith's game and could have had input into the creation of the sport.
Will's descendants, including his grandson Rick Will, do not claim that Will invented basketball but believe that he provided suggestions to Naismith on improving the game. They say that Will received a letter from Naismith asking for help developing a new kind of game, and in response, Will sent back suggested rules. For example, Will suggested the ability to pass the ball instead of rolling it across the court. Will's mother is also said to have knitted the first basketball net, and the first rim was cast in the Herkimer Iron Works.
The controversy surrounding the true inventor of basketball has led to disputes, with some claiming that Naismith borrowed components from Will's ideas and took credit for changes that Will suggested. Despite the evidence, others, including Naismith's grandson Ian, refute Will's involvement, arguing that Will simply witnessed a game and introduced it to Herkimer, leading to the townspeople crediting him as the inventor.
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The first basketball game
The first game of basketball was played in December 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, at the YMCA International Training School, where James Naismith was a student. Naismith is credited with inventing basketball while he was a teacher of Physical Education at the YMCA in Springfield.
Naismith described the first game in a handwritten report, noting that it was played by two teams of nine players, using a soccer ball, and with the aim of shooting at a pair of peach baskets nailed up at each end of the gym. Naismith blew a whistle, and the first game of basketball began. The game was met with little enthusiasm from the players, who nonetheless followed Naismith's lead. Naismith explained the rules, threw the ball up between the two center men, and tried to keep the game somewhat near the rules.
The original rules of basketball differed from the modern game in several ways. The rules did not include dribbling, and players could only move the ball up the court by passing, often tossing the ball over their heads as they ran. Following each goal, a jump ball was taken in the middle of the court. Fouls were mostly called for running with the ball, and tackling the player with the ball was also common.
While Naismith is widely credited with inventing basketball, there are some disputes to this claim. The family of Lambert G. Will has argued that Naismith borrowed components of the game from Will, citing alleged photos and letters. Will's grandson claims that he suggested most of the major rules of the game to Naismith while he was creating it and asked for suggestions. Will was a 19-year-old athletic director at the YMCA in Herkimer, New York, and it is claimed that he wrote to Naismith about the new winter sport, asking him to form a team. It is also noted that the first game was played in 1891, and a basketball from 1892 has "91-92" written on it, suggesting that a team was formed in 1891. However, Will himself never claimed to be the founder of the game.
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The invention of basketball
However, there is a theory that challenges the widely accepted narrative of Naismith being the sole inventor of basketball. This alternative origin story revolves around Lambert G. Will, a director at a YMCA in Herkimer, New York. According to this theory, Will invented the game almost a year before Naismith's first basketball game in Springfield. The main piece of evidence supporting this claim is a photograph of a basketball team in Herkimer dated 1892, with a ball inscribed with "91-92," suggesting the team's formation in 1891.
While Will himself never claimed to have invented basketball, his family and others have disputed Naismith's sole creation of the game. They argue that Naismith incorporated ideas and suggestions from Will into his game. Will's descendants acknowledge that Naismith had the general idea for the sport but maintain that Will influenced the rules and gameplay.
The controversy surrounding basketball's origin has sparked debates and investigations into the true originator of the sport. The Herkimer 9 Foundation, for example, is dedicated to exploring the history of basketball in Herkimer and has found additional evidence supporting Will's contribution. Despite these claims, the Basketball Hall of Fame and other official entities have yet to recognize Will's role in the invention of basketball.
Regardless of the ongoing debate, basketball quickly gained popularity after its inception. It spread across America and later worldwide, becoming an integral part of American culture. The game evolved, and professional leagues emerged, captivating fans and drawing huge crowds. By the 1930s, basketball had become an Olympic sport, and its global reach continued to expand. Today, basketball is a beloved sport worldwide, with a rich history that continues to be explored and celebrated.
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The birthplace of basketball
Naismith is credited with inventing basketball in 1891 while he was a faculty member at Springfield College, then known as the International YMCA Training School. The rules of the game were printed in a college magazine, which was mailed to YMCAs across the nation, playing an integral part in the birth and spread of basketball. The game was introduced internationally by the YMCA movement by 1893, and by 1904, basketball had been adopted as an Olympic demonstration sport.
The building where Naismith invented basketball was located on the corner of State and Sherman Streets in Springfield, with a sign that read "Armory Hill Young Men's Christian Association." This led to some confusion, as people believed the Armory Hill YMCA owned the building and that Naismith was an employee. However, historical documents from the YMCA and Springfield College conclusively prove that the gymnasium was owned and operated by the School for Christian Workers, the predecessor of Springfield College.
Despite the widespread recognition of Naismith as the inventor of basketball, there are those who argue that Lambert Will, a 19-year-old athletic director at the Herkimer YMCA, created the game first. In his 1952 book, "I Grew Up With Basketball," basketball promoter Frank J. Basloe wrote that the first basketball game was played on February 7, 1891, at the Herkimer YMCA, with Will as a player. Will is said to have corresponded with Naismith, providing suggestions for the new winter sport and requesting him to form a team. Will's family disputes the sole creation of the game by Naismith, claiming that he borrowed components from Will and that Will influenced the rules development.
The primary evidence supporting the claim that Will invented basketball includes alleged photos and letters, as well as a basketball with the inscription "91-92," suggesting the team had been formed in 1891. However, it is important to note that Will himself never claimed to have invented the game, and his descendants give credit to Naismith for the general idea of the sport. The controversy surrounding the true birthplace of basketball remains a subject of ongoing investigation and discussion.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Lambert, also known as Lambert G. Will, was a YMCA athletic director in Herkimer, New York, and is believed by some to be the true inventor of basketball.
There are several pieces of evidence that support the claim that Will Lambert invented basketball. These include a photograph of the Herkimer basketball team with Will standing in the center, holding a basketball with "91-92" written on it, suggesting the team played in 1891, before the first official basketball game in 1892. Additionally, Will's family claims to have letters written by Will to James Naismith, the recognized inventor of basketball, containing suggestions for improving the game.
No, Will Lambert never claimed to have invented basketball. In fact, his grandson, Rick Will, confirmed that his grandfather always implied that James Naismith invented the game and only provided suggestions for improvements.
