If you are just getting started, there is a lot you’ve been missing about women’s basketball. There’s been notable progress from how the game is played to its hall of fame.

Interesting Things to Note About Women’s Basketball

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) started in 1996, undeniably impacting the world of sports. However, women’s basketball has existed since 1892 when Dr. James Naismith invented it, and Smith College women played it. Since then, women’s basketball has been played worldwide, following the same rules as men’s basketball, except that the ball is smaller. Here are some fun facts about women’s basketball that every sports enthusiast should know.

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

The world of women’s basketball also has a hall of fame specifically devoted to it and iconic female basketball players. You can click here to find games where these people likely feature. The Hall of Fame opened in 1999 and is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, recognizing contributors to women’s basketball. The Hall has several memorabilia and artifacts commemorating women’s basketball history. Also, the building encompasses the largest basketball in the world, which weighs 10 tons and is 30 feet tall.

The WNBA

The WNBA, created in 1996 as a counterpart to the NBA (National Basketball Association), provided female basketball players a professional platform to showcase their athleticism and talent nationally. As such, it marks a pivotal moment in sports history, not only in basketball but in general.

When the association started, only eight teams existed, including the New York Liberty, Houston Comets, Phoenix Mercury, Los Angeles Sparks, and Utah Starzz. The creation of the Women’s National Basketball Association started an exciting journey for women’s basketball. At every tournament and game, fans worldwide have been captivated by thrilling and remarkable performances from exceptional athletes.

The All-Time Winning Coach: Pat Summit

Pat Summit was born in 1952, became the coach for the Volunteers in 1974, and recorded over 1,000 victories. The Volunteers is the women’s basketball team at the University of Tennessee; with Pat Summit as coach, they won eight national championships.

In addition, she was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Basketball Hall of Fame. The school’s basketball court was named The Summit in honor of her good work for the University of Tennessee. Also, the government awarded her the highest civilian award ever: the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Pat Summit retired in 2012, boasting more wins than any other collegiate coach in any sport.

The All-American Red Heads

The All-American Red Heads competed against the men’s teams playing by the men’s rules in 1936 in exhibition games nationwide. The team was one of the very first professional women’s basketball squads, and they were quite popular back then. They played up to 200 games a year; their team was characterized by members who wore makeup, red wigs, and had crimson hair.

Senda Berenson: The Mother of Women’s Basketball

Senda Berenson is known in the sports world as the Mother of Women’s Basketball and the pioneer of the game. She is credited for writing the first rule book for women’s basketball and organizing the first game at Smith College, Northampton. Additionally, she was the chair of the Women’s Basketball Rules Committee for over ten years. Summit was also the first woman to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame for contributing to Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Rules: Then and Now

The rules of women’s basketball are not what they used to be; they changed as society’s view of women in athletics changed. The rules did not allow timeouts, substitutions, and coaching from the sidelines during contests’ early days. Furthermore, until the 1930s, women played basketball on three courts with up to nine players on a side. Also, six-on-six play began in the 1930s, with teams comprising three forwards and guards each.

The rules back then also allowed only forwards to score, and players were not allowed to cross midcourt. Five-on-five play and a thirty-second shot clock were adopted in the NCAA in 1971, ten years before men’s college basketball added a shot clock. A thirty-second shot clock means players have thirty seconds to hit the rim before giving the ball.

Currently, however, women play a thirty-second shot clock while men play a 35-second shot clock. There is no limit to advancing the basketball past the half-clock in women’s basketball. That means a player may keep the ball behind the half-court for 35 seconds of the shot clock.

The WNBA Regular Season

The WNBA’s regular season runs from May to September; the extension ensures fans are immersed in the excitement of women’s basketball all summer. Each season showcases interesting matchups and intense competition as teams ultimately vie for the championship title. The games feature the most exceptional talents for a thrilling match, showcasing top players’ extraordinary skills and athleticism.

Conclusion

Women’s basketball games present a chance to see great women players showcase extraordinary athletic skills. The game has hosted several iconic women’s basketball players, including Alline Banks Sprouse and Babe Didrikson. Women’s basketball used to follow men’s basketball’s rules, but they were modified because they were deemed too rigorous for women.