Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame honor exceptional basketball players, executives, referees, coaches, and other major contributors to the game. Named after the inventor of basketball, James Naismith, the Basketball Hall of Fame is dedicated to preserve as well as promote basketball at all levels and serve as the ultimate library of the sport's history.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame was established by Lee Williams, a former athletic director of Colby College in 1959. Since 1959, it has honored the game's brightest stars and celebrated the game's greatest moments. The original Basketball Hall of Fame opened its doors to the public on February 17, 1968, during a pivotal time for the sport.

Inside the building of Hall of Fame, there is a game gallery, several theaters, many interactive exhibits, and an honor ring of inductees. Its ground floor comprises 50,000 square feet of retail space and a 300-seat theater. The Hall of Fame also includes administrative offices, a gift shop and exhibition galleries.

The Basketball Hall of Fame brings together the entire game of basketball its invention by Dr. James Naismith's in 1891 to the modern game. Since its establishment, it has inducted 303 coaches, referees, players, teams, and contributors. To date, the Basketball Hall of Fame has honored eight teams and 295 individuals, with a class of 10 individuals (three coaches, six players, and one contributor) to be inducted in August 2011.

The 1985 version of the Basketball Hall of Fame witnessed its share of championship moments and historic milestones. In 1985, it entered a new era by being the first to recognize the contributions of women to the game. The game, Basketball, celebrated its 100th birthday on December 21, 1991 in grand style by returning to its place of birth for a centennial gala. That day, more than a dozen basketball dignitaries helped blow out the candles.

Situated on the picturesque banks of the Connecticut River, the new museum of Basketball is a fitting shrine to the game James Naismith invented more than a century ago. Today, the Basketball Hall of Fame is home to about three hundred inductees and more than 40,000 square feet of basketball history. And of course, there is enough basketball history to impress the world's most avid sports fans!