James Naismith was a Canadian physical educator, physician, and sports coach, best known for inventing the game of basketball in 1891. He developed the sport as a way to keep his students at the YMCA active during the winter months. Naismith created 13 basic rules for the game and hung a peach basket at each end of the gymnasium, which served as goals. Naismith's invention quickly gained popularity and spread across the United States and beyond. He later became the first head coach of the University of Kansas basketball team, where he continued to promote the sport. Naismith's contributions to athletics have made him a significant figure in sports history.