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Cradle of Basketball logo

No other city in the United States can boast an array of basketball history like Lawrence. Although the game was invented in Springfield, Massachusetts, Lawrence, Kansas is where the game of basketball “came of age”.  That’s why we’re often called the “Cradle of Basketball.”

The University of Kansas has the only college basketball program founded by the inventor of the game, Dr. James Naismith. The Debruce Center, a unique facility that explores the rich history of basketball, is the home of Dr. Naismith’s original “Rules of Basket Ball”. Right next door is the legendary Allen Fieldhouse  (the loudest places in all of sports to watch a game). While exploring Allen Fieldhouse you will find the Booth Family Hall of Athletics. This museum of memorabilia honors the greatest athletes in University’s history.

With three NCAA National Championships, it’s safe to say that Lawrence is embedded in basketball history.

For a little history:

Dr. James Naismith invented the game of basketball on December 21, 1891 to fill the need for an indoor winter sport. In 1898, he brought the sport to the University of Kansas and became the school’s first basketball coach. The court in Allen Fieldhouse is officially James Naismith Court.

Forrest C. “Phog” Allen became KU’s second basketball coach when he replaced Naismith in 1908. Allen served for 39 seasons at KU. To date, Phog Allen is the fourth most successful coach in the history of college basketball and KU’s winningest coach of all time.  He was instrumental in bringing basketball to the Olympic games. While Naismith is often called “the father of basketball,” he reportedly coined Allen the “father of basketball coaching”. It is in reference to this beloved coach that his statue stands in front of the Fieldhouse that bears his name and Jayhawk fans warn opponents to “Beware of the Phog.”

To include a little Round Ball in your visit, we recommend the following itinerary:


Download & print the Cradle of Basketball Itinerary

Basketball fans, want more?

  • Listen to the  only known audio recording of James Naismith from a 1939 radio broadcast, as he describes the creation of the game.
  • Wilt Chamberlain, also known as Wilt the Stilt and The Big Dipper, was a student athlete at KU.  See his jersey hung from the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse during his induction ceremony.
  • Some of the game’s most successful coaches and players have a connection to KU’s basketball tradition, thus the term “Cradle of Basketball.”
    • Coaches:  James Naismith, Phog Allen, Adolph Rupp, John McLendon, Dean Smith, Dutch Lonborg, Larry Brown, Roy Williams and Bill Self.
    • Players: Clyde Lovellette, Wilt Chamberlain, Jo Jo White, Danny Manning, Raef LaFrentz, Paul Pierce, Nick Collison, Kirk Hinrich, Mario Chalmers, Andrew Wiggins and more.
  • The official Cradle of Basketball website.

Behind-the-Scenes with the Jayhawk Experience

With March Madness heating up and the Jayhawks poised to make noise in the Tourney (KNOCK ON ALL THE WOOD), I had the lucky opportunity to explore the University of Kansas Athletics facilities through a Jayhawk Experience tour. Check-in takes place in the Booth Hall of Athletics. If you’re always racing to get to your Read More …

Posted in Basketball, Sports | Tagged Allen Fieldhouse, Booth Family Hall of Athletics, DeBruce Center, Hoglund Ballpark, Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena, jayhawk experience, Kansas basketball | Leave a comment

Interview with a Lawrence Sports Expert: Kansas Basketball

  It’s that time of year. The time of year that college basketball fans throughout the country have been waiting for since basketball season tipped off. College basketball teams are battling for the top spot in their conferences, gearing up to try and take the crown in their conference tournaments, and then giving their best Read More …

Posted in Basketball, Sports | Tagged Allen Fieldhouse, Booth Family Hall of Athletics, Kansas basketball | Leave a comment

Where to watch the big games

Gameday in Lawrence, Kansas – where to watch and what to eat! Can you feel that? There’s something in the air, and it’s contagious! It’s called March Madness, and if you spend a good amount in time in Lawrence (where the game grew up), you’re sure to catch it.     We all know that Read More …

Posted in Basketball, Food | Tagged bars, Drink, food, restaurants, sports, University of Kansas | Leave a comment

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  • Unmistakably Lawrence
  • Explore
    • Stay
    • Experiences
      • Agri-Tourism
      • Arts & Culture
      • Basketball
        • Famous Basketball Sites
      • Foodies
        • No Free Lunches
      • Supernatural Lawrence
        • Historic Cemeteries
      • History & Heritage
        • Basketball
        • Block-by-Block
        • Historic Sites of Douglas County
        • Historic Trails
        • Lawrence Pioneers
        • Native American Heritage
        • Self-Guided Tours
        • The Struggle for Freedom
      • Kiddos
      • Live Music
      • Sports/Recreation
      • Wellness
    • Eat
      • Daily Deals
    • Shop
    • See
    • Play
      • Unmistakable Events
      • Local Fav’s
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      • Day Trips
      • Social Lounge
    • Visit
      • Getting Here & Around
      • Neighborhoods
        • Downtown
        • KU Campus
        • West Lawrence
        • East Lawrence
        • North Lawrence
        • South Lawrence
      • Parking
      • Self-Guided Tours
        • Famous Basketball Sites
        • Historic Cemeteries
        • Historic Sites of Quantrill’s Raid
        • Explore Mass Street
      • Weather
      • Visitors Center
      • Visitors Guide
      • E-Newsletter
    • Blog
  • Meet
    • Meetings & Events
      • Why Lawrence?
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      • Toolkit
        • Plan a safe event in Lawrence
        • Meeting Facilities
        • Special Events & Banquet Facilities
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      • Submit RFP
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      • Yes, Lawrence
      • Submit RFP
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