- By Supratik Das
- Sun, 20 Apr 2025 08:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the world's greatest sports leagues with its high-flying dunks, buzzer-beating shot, and historic players. What lies behind all the glamour is interesting, and lesser-known details about the league's past, as well as its players, are waiting to be discovered. From banned kicks to co-signing contracts, here are 10 surprising, little-known facts about the NBA that you need to know.
1. Air Jordans Were Banned By NBA
In perhaps the biggest shock move in sports history, the NBA prohibited Michael Jordan's iconic shoe, the Air Jordan 1, in 1985. The league deemed the flashy, red-and-black shoes to be in violation of its uniform code, where shoes had to be within the color scheme of the team. Nike, being the innovator it was, immediately made the ban into a marketing gimmick, with the now-famous "Banned" advertisement. Even after the ban, Jordan still wore the shoes, shelling out a fine per game, and the rest is history.
A Sotheby's staff holds a pair of "Air Jordan 1" shoes worn by NBA champion Michael Jordan during his rookie season ( Image Credit: Reuters)
2. Kobe Bryant's First NBA Contract Was Co-Signed By His Parents
Kobe Bryant, one of the NBA’s greatest players, had a unique start in the league. His first contract, signed in 1996, was co-signed by his parents, Joe and Pam Bryant. This was necessary because Kobe, at the time, was just 17 years old and under the legal age for signing contracts. The deal was a testament to the support he received from his family, which helped him transition into the professional world of basketball.
3. NBA Was Originally Founded As BAA
The National Basketball Association was not always called by its modern name. It was originally established in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). The league renamed itself the NBA after it merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949 to create the basis for the NBA of today.
4. First NBA Game Was Played In 1946
While everyone is well aware of the NBA legends, few have the information on when the very first game was held. The first game of the NBA (when it was called the BAA) was contested between the Toronto Huskies and the New York Knicks on November 1, 1946. The Knicks won by 68-66, ushering in the legendary basketball age.
5. Shaquille O'Neals' Shoe Size Is Record-Breaking 22
One of the tallest giants in NBA history, Shaquille O'Neal's presence is imposing. His shoe size? A gigantic 22, one of the largest sizes any NBA player has ever worn. O'Neal's larger-than-life personality on and off the court makes him a crowd darling, but his gargantuan feet also set an NBA footwear record.
Former basketball star Shaquille O'Neal (Image Credits: Reuters)
6. LeBron James Is Youngest To Reach 30,000 Points
LeBron James, who is likened to Michael Jordan, set a milestone in 2018 when he became the first player to attain 30,000 career points at a youthful age of just 33. With this achievement, LeBron has become one of the greats to play the game ever.
7. NBA Has Had Female Coaches
In 2014, Becky Hammon was the first woman to coach an NBA team in a regular-season game. As an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs, Hammon broke down barriers and opened doors for other women to follow in her footsteps as coaches in the league. Her hiring is a major milestone in gender equality in professional basketball.
8. NBA Draft Was Originally Only For American Players
When the NBA draft was initially proposed in 1947, it was only for American players. Gradually, though, the league opened its eyes and the international players began making their presence felt. Presently, some of the biggest stars of the NBA, such as Dirk Nowitzki, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Luka Dončić, have been from abroad, turning the draft into an international sensation.
9. The NBA Has Its Own "Rookie Wall"
It's no surprise that many young players experience trouble in their inaugural season, and the NBA refers to it as the "rookie wall." It is the point where a player's production declines after reaching a plateau in the season as a result of the mental and physical stress of the league. The name entered common parlance during the early 2000s and usually relates to rookie players learning the level of competition.
10. The NBA Once Had Canadian Franchise
Prior to the Toronto Raptors' status as global celebrities, the NBA had one other team in Canada: the Vancouver Grizzlies. The franchise competed in Vancouver between 1995 and 2001 before moving to Memphis, where they were renamed the Memphis Grizzlies. The Raptors, formed in 1995, remain the lone Canadian franchise in the NBA currently.
The NBA has experienced fantastic growth throughout the years, as every season produces new stories, memories that cannot be forgotten, and record-shattering performances. From the dawn of the BAA to present-day global sensation, the league's heritage is still growing strong. These hidden facts are a testament that there's more behind the superstar talent and eye-opening highlights than meets the eye; there's a deep history of trailblazers and boundary-pushers who've made the NBA what it stands today.
