New research conducted by the University of Stirling has found the creator of basketball considered himself Scottish.
Physical education (P.E) teacher Dr James Naismith created the game in 1891 whilst living in Almonte, Canada, where he was born and raised.
However, Dr Naismith spoke with a Scottish accent for most of his life, lived in a Scottish community, and had a Glaswegian father and Scottish maternal grandparents.
During childhood, his Scottish family introduced him to duck-on-the-rock, which his father had learned in Glasgow.
Naismith revealed later in life that the childhood game became the basis for basketball.
Dr Naismith was born and grew up in a British colony in Canada, where his family and the majority of people around him were Scottish.
Canada has historically claimed to be the origin of the sport, however, Stirling researchers argue this discovery merits a review of the claim.
Researcher, lecturer and Scotsman Dr Ross Walker wants to reclaim the creator as a Scot and educate others on the Scottish influence seen in the game.
Dr Walker, who has also played basketball for 15 years and represented the country in the sport, said: “Until 1891, Naismith resided in a replanted Scottish community and Scot-dominated areas, living a lifestyle similar to those contemporarily in Scotland.
“In day-to-day life, Naismith spoke in Scottish mannerisms, had a Scottish accent, used the broad Scots dialect, engaged with Scottish activities, and spread his Scottish values that underpinned the actions of his life.
“Scottish culture, heritage, Presbyterianism, and nationalism formed his identity, representing who he was as a person, how he carried himself and how he saw the world around him. It also determined who he wanted to be and what he wanted to do in life.
“Scotland influenced the creation of basketball because Scotland influenced the creator of basketball who instilled elements of Scottishness into the sport.”
Despite living in Canada, Naismith’s entire community was Scottish.
His teachers were Scottish, his classwork revolved around Scottish geography, and he favoured Scottish poetry and music.
Naismith regularly referred to the Scottish poet Robbie Burns in his personal communications, and once gifted his wife a book by poet with the inscription: “Tae the bonniest lass”.
While studying at McGill University, Naismith enlisted with an army regiment known as the Kilted Laddies.
The troops in Fifth Regiment: Royal Scots of Canada Highlanders wore tartan kilts and had a traditional marching band and piper.
Naismith became the Captain of the Regiment.
Members of the Regiment were required to know traditional Scottish dances.
Dr Walker wants Naismith’s Scottish lifestyle to come to the forefront of the creator’s history, wishing the “American-centric” history of basketball to be re-evaluated.
He said: “While there has been some coverage of Naismith’s Scottish connection, it is very anecdotal and put across in a way which provides background to Naismith but not in a capacity which argues, and most importantly evidences, that Scotland influenced the creation of basketball through Naismith.
“My research contests the global narrative and reputation of basketball that it is a Canadian and American sport, which it is not. Furthermore, most of the coverage which has been shared touches solely upon his parental links to Glasgow, but nothing really delves deeply into the profound impact of his Scottish Presbyterianism, the Scottish settler communities which developed him, and much more which all led to the eventual creation of basketball.
“My research argues that, without Scotland, the global phenomenon that is basketball today may have never been created in the current form that is known and celebrated worldwide.”
Dr Walker added: “Until his passing, Naismith maintained his Scottish beliefs, mindset, traits and values, and made multiple pilgrimages to Scotland to visit relatives and locations, even buying his wedding outfit in Scotland in 1894.
“Prior to basketball entering the 1936 Olympic Games, Naismith revisited his spiritual home one last time, connecting to where his and the journey of basketball began.
“In the words of Naismith’s grandson, Jim Naismith, Scotland was a country that he called home and cared deeply about.”
Featured image credit: The University of Stirling
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