The earliest known film/video of a complete basketball game is from a doubleheader at Madison Square Garden in 1939. See this film footage of the first profession game being recorded on film below.
Until the 1930 ‘s film/video/ the game of basketball wasn’t available. Sound recordings were limited. Below is believed to be the first complete basketball game on film.
Prior to 1930, everything we know was passed on by personal voice of those that lived it, audio recordings, limited short visual video/film clips,
We also have the writings. Unfortunately, the death of the aging generation of early basketball has eliminated the word of mouth.
But by the 1940′ we start to see a decent amount of film on teaching and of the actual games
Below we get into a little thought the thirty’s … …
There were a limited number of surviving films/videos of the game of basketball from 1982 beyond the 20’s. The video with female playes is believed to be the earliest surviving footage in 1909. Notice rims with nets.
We have mostly only photographs to see what the game of basketball looked like. until 1940.
There are quite a few surviving audio clips about basketball during the early 20th century. They are difficult to obtain.
Between 1939 – 45 , during the World War II period, there were a many teams and leagues that continued to play. However, most were semi-pro positions and regional-ocal in nature.
Many young men who would be in their prime basketball years, were off fighting in a World War overseas.
The best basketball players of the 1920s were headlined by Nat Holman, regarded as the era’s premier all-around player and a star for the Original Celtics, alongside prolific scorer Bennie Borgmann. Other dominant figures included defensive specialists Dutch Dehnert and Joe Lapchick, plus college standouts like Paul Endacott.
Key Players of the 1920s:
Nat Holman (“Mr. Basketball”): Regarded as the best all-around player, known for his elite shooting, passing, and floor leadership with the Original Celtics.
Bennie Borgmann: One of the greatest scorers of his generation,, capturing numerous scoring titles in various leagues.
Dutch Dehnert: A standout with the Original Celtics, recognized for pioneering the pivot play and exceptional defensive skills.
Joe Lapchick: Renowned as one of the best centers of the era and a key member of the dominant Celtics team.
Paul Endacott: A star at the University of Kansas, named Helms Foundation Player of the Year in 1923.
Vern Corbin: A standout college player for Cal, earning All-America honors in 1928.
These players established the foundation for professional basketball, with many playing for the touring Original Celtics, which dominated the era’s basketball landscape
1939 – 45
Bobby McDermott: A standout guard in the NBL, he was arguably the most famous and dominant player in the first half of the 1940s, winning multiple MVP awards.
Joe Fulks: A prolific scorer for the Philadelphia Warriors, he was the top scorer in the BAA (precursor to the NBA) during the late 40s.
The First NBA Championship
While the NBA as the world knows it today did not come into fruition until the 1949-50 season, its first official season is considered to be the 1946-47 season. That year marked the formation and inaugural season of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) in the 1949-50 season to become the NBA as we know it today.
The league, and the game of basketball itself, was at a remarkably different place during its early days than it is today. The 1940s, therefore, saw a version of the game and league almost unrecognizable from today.
However, just because the era was different does not render its legitimacy worthless. The era came before the emergence of superstars, but there were still plenty of elite players during the game’s early days. The following are the five greatest players of the 1940s, the league’s inaugural decade.
1947
The First NBA Championship
The league (NBA) began in the late 1946. The majority of players who played basketball during that decade continued their career into the 1950s.
Around 5,000 unique individuals have played at least one game in the NBA, with recent figures suggesting the number is closer to 5,000 as of late 2024/2025, though exact counts vary slightly depending on the source and cutoff date, with some sources citing over 4,800 or even 5,000+ players. General Estimate: The consensus is roughly 5,000 players have suited up in the NBA.
Recent Data: As of late 2024, one source noted 4,898 players. Historical Perspective: Over 5,000 players have played in the NBA throughout its history, with many playing just a few games
