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How Basketball Spread Around the World
BASKETBALL TAKES A STAND AT THE OLYMPICS
In the United States that year, the Blackbirds of Long Island University had just had a
fantastic season with 33 straight wins and an average victory margin of 23 points. Most
Americans were sure that the Blackbirds would be the team representing America at the
Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany.
Make Connections
At the 1936 Olympics, FIBA decided to name James Naismith as its Honorary
President.
In the early years of basketball, Native Americans were already playing the game. This girls’
team played for a school in South Dakota.