James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor, invented basketball in 1891 while working at Springfield College in Massachusetts.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame was established in 1959 in Springfield, Massachusetts, the birthplace of basketball.

George Mikan, the dominant center for the Minneapolis Lakers in the 1940s and 1950s, was the first player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959.

Bill Russell, the legendary center for the Boston Celtics, won a record 11 NBA championships as a player from 1956 to 1969.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the dominant center for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history with 38,387 points.

John Stockton, the legendary point guard for the Utah Jazz, holds the record for most assists in NBA history with 15,806 assists.

Michael Jordan, widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time, is the only player to achieve this unique triple crown of NBA awards.

Phil Jackson, the legendary coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, holds the record for most NBA championships won with 11 titles.

Robert Horry, nicknamed "Big Shot Rob," is the only player to win an NBA championship with three different teams: the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs.

Oscar Robertson, the all-around great for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks, holds the record for most triple-doubles in NBA history with 181.

Jerry West, the legendary Los Angeles Lakers player and executive, is the only person to win an NBA championship as a player, head coach, and general manager.

Wilt Chamberlain, the dominant center for the Philadelphia Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, holds the record for most points scored in a single NBA game with 100 points.

Jamal Crawford, the dynamic scorer for multiple teams throughout his career, is the only player to win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award three times.

John Stockton, the legendary point guard for the Utah Jazz, holds the record for most steals in NBA history with 3,265 steals.

Dikembe Mutombo, the dominant defensive center for multiple teams throughout his career, is the only player to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times.