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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History

Discover the rich legacy of basketball through this iconic image collection

Choose a picture from our collection for your Wall Art and Photo Gifts

This captivating collection showcases the evolution of basketball, featuring legendary players and unforgettable moments that have defined the sport. From Michael Jordan's soaring dunks to the intense rivalries of the 1980s, each image tells a story of athleticism and passion. The Bettmann Archives provide a unique lens on this cultural phenomenon, highlighting pivotal moments that have shaped the game.

1,550 Items

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Michael Jordan Slam Dunking

Michael Jordan Slam Dunking
(Original Caption) Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan stuffs the basketball through the basket as the Knicks' Maurice Cheeks watches helplessly (left) as Madison Square Garden 2/14

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Basketball's Inventor Dr. Naismith

Basketball's Inventor Dr. Naismith
The inventor of basketball, Dr. James Naismith, stands in a field carrying a ball and a basket

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Kentucky Players Surrounding Jim Spanarkel of Duke

Kentucky Players Surrounding Jim Spanarkel of Duke
(Original Caption) Duke University's Jim Spanarkel has no place to go as he is surrounded by Kentucky's Truman Clayton(22), Jack Givens(21), Kyle Macy(40)

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: James Naismith with the First Basketball Team

James Naismith with the First Basketball Team
(Original Caption) The first basketball team, consisting of nine players and their coach on the steps of the Springfield College Gymnasium in 1891 are shown. Dr

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Witl Chamberlain Going Up For Basket

Witl Chamberlain Going Up For Basket
(Original Caption) Wilt Chamberlain is shown going up for the basket. Undated photograph

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Coach Bill Van Breda Kolff on Sidelines

Coach Bill Van Breda Kolff on Sidelines
(Original Caption) L. A. Lakers coach, Bill Van Breda Kolff, formerly a college coach at Princeton University, is starting his 1st year as professional basketball coach of the L.A. Lakers

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Lakers Coach Bill Van Breda Kolff Shouts from Sidelines

Lakers Coach Bill Van Breda Kolff Shouts from Sidelines
(Original Caption) L. A. Lakers coach, Bill Van Breda Kolff, formerly a college coach at Princeton University, is starting his 1st year as professional basketball coach of the L.A. Lakers

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Lew Alcindor Leaping In Air/Hs Basketbal

Lew Alcindor Leaping In Air/Hs Basketbal
(Original Caption) Ca. 1964-Lew Alciindor, playing with Power High Memorial High School, is shown leaping in the air during a basketball game with another high school. Filed 2/6/1964

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Basketball Greats Walking Through Airport

Basketball Greats Walking Through Airport
(Original Caption) Bill Bradley is shown standing with Willis Reed, (wearing hat), and other Knick players at an airport

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Portrait of Buffalo Braves Player Bob McAdoo

Portrait of Buffalo Braves Player Bob McAdoo
1974- Close-up of Bob McAdoo, basketball player for the Buffalo Braves in his uniform. Undated color slide

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Manute Bol Holding Basketball

Manute Bol Holding Basketball
Washington Bullets' Manute Bol in front of the Washington Monument. He hold a basketball in his hand which seems to touch the tip of the Monument from the distance at which he stands

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Basketball Players Scramble for Ball

Basketball Players Scramble for Ball
(Original Caption) High Flying. New York, New York: Yale's Dick Joyce grabs rebound on the fly in scramble under basket in first half of consolation playoff at Garden

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Chamberlain Scores Record Breaking Basket

Chamberlain Scores Record Breaking Basket
(Original Caption) Detroit: Philadelphia Warriors' Wilt Chamberlain (#13) lets fly with the shot that broke the National Basketball Association individual scoring record of 2

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Nat Dolph Schayes and Wilt Chamberlain Fighting for Rebound

Nat Dolph Schayes and Wilt Chamberlain Fighting for Rebound
(Original Caption) Philadelphia: When Syracuse Nat Dolph Schayes (#4) tried to grab a rebound from Warrior Wilt Chamberlain here, February 6th, Wilt snapped his huge arms together like a trap

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Cliff Hagen Holding Basketball

Cliff Hagen Holding Basketball
(Original Caption) Cliff Hagen of the Hawks

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Frank Serany and Ed Kweller

Frank Serany and Ed Kweller
(Original Caption) Duquesne Cage team practices for L.I.U. Frank Serany, guard, and Ed Kweller, center, the Long and ahort of the Duquesne university Basketball Team

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Wilt Chamberlain Closeup, In Uniform

Wilt Chamberlain Closeup, In Uniform
(Original Caption) Wilt Chamberlain, of the Philadelphia 76ers. He stands at 7'1", weighs 275 pounds and is from Kansas. Undated publicity handout

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Lemon Meadowlark

Lemon Meadowlark
Photograph of Lemon Meadowlark of the Harlem Globetrotters. Photo shows Meadowlark with basketball in an action pose in front of a brick wall. Undated Photograph

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Portrait of Bob Cousy Bouncing Basketball

Portrait of Bob Cousy Bouncing Basketball
(Original Caption) Bob Cousy, the American basketball star is shown here in this undated photograph

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Bill Bradley and Basketball Officials Sitting with Basketball

Bill Bradley and Basketball Officials Sitting with Basketball
(Original Caption) Irving Mitchell Felt, (left, and Ned Irish, flank Bill Bradley as Princeton Rhodes Scholar pens Knick's contract yesterday

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Women's Basketball at Wellesley College

Women's Basketball at Wellesley College
(Original Caption) Wellesley College-Basketball in gym. Joan Farrell of Escanaba Mich, back to camera tried to block Beverly Ayres of Duluth Minn who is making a hook pass other girls left to right

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Four Young Men Playing Basketball/Univ

Four Young Men Playing Basketball/Univ
(Original Caption) VT-Photo shows four young men playing basketball, University of Vermont. Models: H. Paxman, R. Boudreau, G. Shea and G. Abair, Ca. 1950s

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Field Day and Halloween Party

Field Day and Halloween Party
(Original Caption) Wellesley College Field Day and Halloween Party at Wellesley, Massachusetts, October 31, 1914. Basketball game

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Wellesley College Basketball Team

Wellesley College Basketball Team
(Original Caption) Wellesley College Field Day and Halloween Party, at Wellesley, Massachusetts, October 31, 1914. The champion basketball team, Class of 1916

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Nat Holman Posing with Basketball

Nat Holman Posing with Basketball
(Original Caption) Portrait of basketball player Nat Holman (1896-) in uniform and holding a ball, who played with the original New York Celtics from 1921-1928

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Group Portrait of Crescent College Basketball Players

Group Portrait of Crescent College Basketball Players
(Original Caption) USA: Victorious Crescents which have defeated biggest college teams in New York and vicinity and have won 23 out of 25 games this season--to go to Atlanta

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: University of Chicago Basketball Players Demonstrating Moves

University of Chicago Basketball Players Demonstrating Moves

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Babe Ruth with Basketball

Babe Ruth with Basketball
(Original Caption) Babe Ruth in the uniform of the Babe Ruth All-Stars basketball team of Passaic, New Jersey, which met the Celtic All-Stars team for basketball honors

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: University of Pennsylvania Basketball Team

University of Pennsylvania Basketball Team
(Original Caption) University of Penn. Basketball Champions. Members of the Univ. of Penn. championship Intercollegiate Basketball Team

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Making a Basket

Making a Basket
(Original Caption) Children's games and sports in the Spring.Playing basketball-caging a basket

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Girls Playing Basketball

Girls Playing Basketball
(Original Caption) This Girls High School Team Has Record. Croton, New York: The Croton High School Girls' Basketball Team

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Fans Cheering at Baseball Game

Fans Cheering at Baseball Game
(Original Caption) Boys Play for City Basketball Championship. New York: The Hudson Park team played the Queensboro Team for the championship of the city at Yankee Stadium today

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Portrait of Columbia Basketball Squad

Portrait of Columbia Basketball Squad
(Original Caption) The basketball season opened November 16, 1925 at Columbia University with the squad showing up for first practice and an examination of the material on hand

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Very Tall Female Basketball Star Posing with Her Peers

Very Tall Female Basketball Star Posing with Her Peers
(Original Caption) York, Pa.: Tallest Women In Basketball. The indoor cage sport has discovered in York, the feminine copy of the famous stretch Meehan

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Dick Meenan Instructing Members of His Team

Dick Meenan Instructing Members of His Team
(Original Caption) The basketball season opened Nov. 16 at Columbia University with the squad showing up for first practice and an examination of the material on hand

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Bryn Mawr Basketball Team

Bryn Mawr Basketball Team
(Original Caption) Bryn Mawr Basketball Team. Kneeling left to right: Hermaine Sewitz, New York City; Francis Jay, (Captain), New York City

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: James Naismith

James Naismith
(Original Caption) Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Athletes at Radcliffe College

Athletes at Radcliffe College
(Original Caption) All-Around Athletes at Radcliffe College! The class of 1928 at Radcliffe College, Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: James Naismith Speaking to His Wife

James Naismith Speaking to His Wife
(Original Caption) Originators of Basketball Discuss the Game. Lawrence, Kansas: Photo shows Mr. and Mrs. James Naismith, discussing the game of basketball of which they are the originators

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Girl Holding Basketball

Girl Holding Basketball
(Original Caption) She throws a mean basketball at Radcliffe. Here is Miss Anna Harris, student at Radcliffe College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, who broke the college record for the basketball throw

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Full-Length Of Francis Schmidt Outside

Full-Length Of Francis Schmidt Outside
(Original Caption) Francis A. Schmidt, football and basketball coach at Texas Christian University since 1929, was appointed head football coach at Ohio State University on March 2

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Basketball Player Passing Ball to Teammate

Basketball Player Passing Ball to Teammate
(Original Caption) Boston, Massachusetts: Celtics' Bob Cousy, #14, leaps, turns, and palms ball off to teammate Tom Heinshohn (L) who scored on a lay up. St

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Mildred 'Babe' Didrickson

Mildred "Babe" Didrickson is shown here. She was perhaps the best all-around sportswoman ever, being a participant of basketball, baseball, track, and Olympic events in the javelin and hurdle events

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Women's Basketball Team

Women's Basketball Team
(Original Caption) After the Ball was Over. New York, New York: Lily Rydberg, of the New York University Women's School 1932 Basketball Team

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Mildred Didrickson Standing in Basketball Practice Line

Mildred Didrickson Standing in Basketball Practice Line
(Original Caption) Mildred "Babe" Didrickson, America's outstanding woman athlete, shoots for the basket here, as other members of the Brooklyn Yankees, a girls team, await their turns

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Babe Didrikson Throwing Basketball

Babe Didrikson Throwing Basketball
(Original Caption) It seems as though there's nothing that Mildred "Babe" Didrikson cannot do - and do well. Now, Babe, who is America's outstanding woman athlete

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Babe Didrikson Playing Basketball

Babe Didrikson Playing Basketball
(Original Caption) It seems as though there's nothing that Mildred Babe Didrikson cannot do - and do well. Now, Babe, who is America's outstanding woman athlete

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Gathering of Golf Coaches

Gathering of Golf Coaches
(Original Caption) College Coaches at Golf Classic. Near Chicago, Illinois: Five prominent college coaches as they acted as scorers and marshals during the 1933 National Open Golf Championship

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Basketball Player Towers over Babe Didrikson

Basketball Player Towers over Babe Didrikson
(Original Caption) Not content with the laurels she has won in many other branches of sport, Babe Didrikson, girl athletic marvel has joined a basketball aggregation

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Babe Didrikson Introducing Basketball Team

Babe Didrikson Introducing Basketball Team
(Original Caption) Not content with the laurels she has won in many other branches of sport, Babe Didrikson, girl athletic marvel has joined a basketball team which includes another girl among

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Portrait of Basetball Player Clair Bee

Portrait of Basetball Player Clair Bee
1934-Retouched, close-up photograph of Clair Bee, basketball player

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Notre Dame and N.Y.U. Competing in a Basketball Game

Notre Dame and N.Y.U. Competing in a Basketball Game
(Original Caption) Notre Dame cage artists met the New York University team in a thrilling basketball game at Madison Square Garden tonight. N.Y.U. won 25 to 18, Rubinstein of N.Y.U

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Girl Basketball Team Posing for Camera

Girl Basketball Team Posing for Camera
(Original Caption) The Girl's Varsity Basketball Squad of Rider College at Trenton, New Jersey, is shown as they posed in the college gym

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Duquesne Basketball Team

Duquesne Basketball Team
(Original Caption) Duquesne Cagers practice for L.I.U. Members of the Duquesne basketball team, seen at the New York university gymnasium as they worked out in preparation for their game with Long

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: College Basketball at Madison Square Garden

College Basketball at Madison Square Garden
Dinty Moore of Leland Stanford University lays up as Kenny Norton of Long Island University rushes up for a possible rebound during a game at Madison Square Garden

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Basketball Players On Court

Basketball Players On Court
(Original Caption) Oilers Puts Skids Under Temple Cagers. New York, New York: In the semi-finals of the Olympic Basketball eliminations, in the Garden here tonight (April 3)

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: 1936 US Olympic Basketball Team

1936 US Olympic Basketball Team
Portrait of members of the Universal Studios basketball team after winning a tournament at Madison Square Garden that earned them the right to represent the United States at the 1936 Summer Olympics

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Stanford and C.C.N.Y

Stanford and C.C.N.Y
Hank Luisetti, number 7, of Stanford is shown putting the ball through the basket to score two points against the City College of New York quintet in an inter-sectional match at Madison Square

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Basketball Player Hank Luisetti in Practice

Basketball Player Hank Luisetti in Practice
Stanford basketball player Hank Luisetti dribbles right past his teammate, Jack Calderwood, during a workout at Stanford University

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Referee Calming Basketball Players

Referee Calming Basketball Players
(Original Caption) No, No. Not Tonight! New York, New York: Basketballers at Madison Square Garden evidently got basketball night mixed up with fight night

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: University of Colorado Basketball Teammates Posing with the Ball

University of Colorado Basketball Teammates Posing with the Ball
(Original Caption) New York, New York: Colorado Quintet Which Goes against N.Y.U. Tonight. Pictured in final practise, here are members of the University of Colorado basketball team which clashes

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Bill Barringer Dunking Basketball

Bill Barringer Dunking Basketball
(Original Caption) Wide Eyed and Open Mouthed. New York: Note the expressions on the faces of the other players as Bill Barringer of Oklahoma A. and M

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Basketball Scrimmage

Basketball Scrimmage
(Original Caption) Football On the Basketball Court. New York, New York: Here's a wild scrimmage as Dick Krueger of Oklahoma A & M goes down with the ball in the National Invitation Tournament game

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Oklahoma Versus Temple University Basketball Game

Oklahoma Versus Temple University Basketball Game
(Original Caption) Oklahoma A & M Bows to Temple. New York, New York: A ringer in the making during the Oklahoma A & M --Temple University basketball game in the semi-finals of the National

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Aerial View of Basketball Game

Aerial View of Basketball Game
(Original Caption) Temple Defeats Colorado For Basketball Title. New York, New York: Looking down on the arena as Jack Harvey (22) of Colorado, at the right

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Basketball Players Jumping for Ball

Basketball Players Jumping for Ball
(Original Caption) As Temple Defeated Colorado for Championship. New York, New York: Howard Black (11) and Meyer Bloom (12) both of Temple

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Don Henderson and Jack Harvey Vying for Basketball

Don Henderson and Jack Harvey Vying for Basketball
(Original Caption) On the Rebound. New York: There's a basketball championship at stake as tournament finalists Temple University, (Philadelphia)

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Basketball Player Hank Luisetti with Paramount Actresses

Basketball Player Hank Luisetti with Paramount Actresses
Hank Luisetti, All-American basketball player from Stanford, heads to the Paramount commissary to have lunch with actresses Janet Waldo (L) and Harriet Haddon

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Portrait of William J. Reinhart

Portrait of William J. Reinhart
(Original Caption) William J. (Bill) Reinhart, football and basketball coach at George Washington University, Washington, DC

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Basketball Game

Basketball Game
(Original Caption) Owl Scores. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Howie Black (11) of Temple University recovers a teammate's shot of the backboard before sinking the ball for one of his six goals

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Basketball Players on Court

Basketball Players on Court
(Original Caption) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Action during the Temple-Minnesota basketball game. Minnesota won 38-35. December 29, 1938

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: George Glamack

George Glamack, center, North Carolina University basketball team, 1938-1939

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Basket ball Player Jimmy Hull

Basket ball Player Jimmy Hull
(Original Caption) Jimmy Hull, (8), Ohio State University Captain, congratulated by Montgomery, (11), Villanova Captain, beside the trophy emblematic of the Eastern Championship in the National

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Cleveland Rookie Lou Boudreau in Serious Pose

Cleveland Rookie Lou Boudreau in Serious Pose
(Original Caption) Tribe's New Infield Duo. Lou Boudreau, one time University of Illinois basketball captain, is shortstop of Cleveland Indians

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: John F. Kennedy Signing up For the Draft

John F. Kennedy Signing up For the Draft
(Original Caption) How many remember that in fall quarter 1940 John F. Kennedy was a graduate student at large at Stanford

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Jess Resnick Controlling the Basketball

Jess Resnick Controlling the Basketball
(Original Caption) Look at that Face. New York: James Renick (20), of Oklahoma A&M, certainly makes what has been called a "sour puss" as he stops short while Paul Widowitz (12)

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Playing Basketball on Ice

Playing Basketball on Ice
(Original Caption) Loop Game on Ice. New York: The audience at the New York Americans Chicago Black Hawks hockey game in Madison Square Garden, February 1, 1940

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: College Basketball Game in New York

College Basketball Game in New York
Sam Milanovich of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers jumps up with the basketball against their game with the University of Fordham Rams

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: George Glamack

George Glamack, North Carolina

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Les Steers in Pole Vaulting Action

Les Steers in Pole Vaulting Action
(Original Caption) Eugene, Oregon: Les steers shown clearing the bar at 7 feet, 1/2 inch during exhibition before 6, 000 persons who gathered to watch Oregon State College basketball game

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Gym Exercises at Madison Square Garden

Gym Exercises at Madison Square Garden
(Original Caption) New York: Building Better Bodies. Calisthenics and supervised games in a spacious, sunlit gymnasium build bodies that are fitting receptacles for Democratic ideals

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Portrait of Early American Basketball Teammates

Portrait of Early American Basketball Teammates
(Original Caption) Basketball was only five years old when Smith College varsity team, shown here, was winning games handily

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Early Player Wearing Mask with Basketball

Early Player Wearing Mask with Basketball
(Original Caption) The player shown is dressed in a costume worn by players in the early 1990s. Turtle neck jersies, handlebar moustachios

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Hoops Through Time: A Visual Journey of Basketball History: Lou Boudreau Enjoying His Family at Home

Lou Boudreau Enjoying His Family at Home
(Original Caption) Lou Boudreau, the new manager of the Cleveland Indians, who is on the basketball coaching staff at the University of Illinois during the winter season, is shown at that time

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Dive into this visual journey from the Bettmann Archives that celebrates not just the sport,

but the spirit and determination that have inspired generations of fans and players alike.

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