The original peach baskets used for the first basketball game in 1891 are preserved within the museum collections.
The facility was designed by architect Antoine Predock and opened at its current riverfront location in 2002.
The Hall of Fame's dome structure is 130 feet tall and represents the shape of a basketball.
Inshrinees are selected based on their contributions to the game, including players, coaches, referees, and contributors from across the globe.
The court inside the museum is available for public shooting practice and hosts various youth tournaments throughout the year.
The collection contains over 40,000 items, including rare game-worn jerseys and historic photographs.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is located in Springfield, Massachusetts, where Dr. James Naismith invented the sport in 1891. The museum houses thousands of basketball artifacts and features the iconic 'Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams,' a full-sized regulation basketball court. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits that track the history of the NBA, WNBA, and collegiate levels. The building is architecturally notable for its prominent silver dome, visible from the surrounding area. The facility serves as the final resting place for the sport's greatest players, coaches, and contributors via the enshrined Hall of Fame honorees. Permanent galleries cover the evolution of basketball equipment, uniforms, and rule changes over the last century. It remains the global epicenter for historical documentation of the sport.
Center court on the Court of Dreams with the Hall of Fame backdrop.
Wear comfortable sneakers if you plan to shoot hoops on the Court of Dreams.
Check the event calendar online before visiting, as the court may be reserved for private clinics or tournament play.
Allow extra time to read the detailed biographies of the inductees in the Hall of Honor.
Don't skip the interactive theater experiences, which often house the most immersive historical footage.
Open daily year-round; may have limited operations on major holidays.