10 Timeline Event of Basketball The biggest events in NBA and basketball history are. 1. December 1891- James A. Naismith invents the sport basketball 2. 1892- The first basketball game played 3. 1894- The white line (free-throw) line was moved from 20 ft. to 15 ft. away from the basketball hoop 4. 1898- One of the first professional basketball games are played 5. 1908- The dribbler is permitted to shoot the ball, but the NCAA deletes the double dribble 6. 1950- NBA becomes racially segregation 7. 1954- The shot clock is invented 8. 1961- The three pointer is invented 9. 1967- The ABA ( American Basketball League) is made and starts a rivalry with the NBA 10. 1992- Basketball stars start playing in the Olympics