Basketball celebrates history, community and growth on December 21.

World Basketball Day 2025

World Basketball Day 2025 was marked on December 21, the anniversary of the day Dr. James Naismith first introduced the game of basketball in 1891 at the YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts. The annual observance was established by the United Nations in 2023 and celebrates basketball’s global influence and unifying spirit.

The NBA and the global basketball community joined to engage millions of youth and fans around the world through a series of clinics, social media initiatives, in‑arena activities and educational programs.

Celebrations Across the World

Extended NBA–YMCA Partnership
The NBA and the YMCA extended a longstanding relationship with year‑long youth basketball and community‑focused programming, supporting millions of young people across the United States. Clinics and facility upgrades are part of this expanded collaboration.

Global Clinics and Coaching Programs
Nineteen coaches from the NBA’s Africa Coaches Program led training clinics across multiple African countries, including Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt, Senegal and Cameroon, reaching hundreds of local coaches and players.

NBA Team Activities and Fan Engagement
Multiple NBA teams celebrated the day through local events, arena festivities and social‑media features. Fans were also encouraged to participate in NBA All‑Star voting with triple votes on December 21, making the day both a celebration of the sport and a fan engagement milestone.

Voices from the Game

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver highlighted the special nature of the day as both a celebration of the sport’s origins and its modern global reach. Leaders from the YMCA, USA Basketball, NCAA and FIBA also underscored basketball’s role in fostering community, ambition and opportunity at all levels of play.

World Basketball’s Day (World YMCA)

What World Basketball Day Represents

World Basketball Day celebrates:
• Basketball’s origins at the YMCA
• The sport’s global reach and cultural impact
• Youth development and community engagement
• A shared passion that bridges continents and cultures

This observance unites basketball organizations worldwide, emphasizing teamwork, inclusion and the positive effects of sport on education, health and social connection.