Basketball

The world of sports is an incredibly diverse and dense one. Each sport, from football and basketball to curling and ice skating, has an unfathomable amount of depth to it. It can be a truly magical journey going from learning the ropes to becoming a semi-pro or even professional-level player! With that said, let's get into the five sports we think you need to try because they're way too much fun:   1. Football I may be partial in this case because football is a sport really close to my heart and something I've played since I was a kid, but I can assure you that you'll have just as much fun with it as I have all my life! The fundamentals are simple; you have to kick the ball into the other team's net, and you can only use your feet (kind of) to do it.   2. Basketball It's no secret that you need to be tall if you want to make it big in basketball, but that doesn't mean you can't pick it up as a fun game to play on the weekends. The feeling of getting a three-pointer for the first time is unmatched by anything and gives you a high that you will be chasing for the rest of your basketball-playing career! All you need to get started is a basketball, a hoop, and a basic rundown of the rules.   3. Table Tennis Ping pong, you've probably seen Forrest Gump go crazy for it, and there's a good reason that happened! Table tennis is one of the most fun sports and is really simple to start. The rules are similar to tennis; the ball has to go over the net and bounce twice in the opponent's half or fall off the other side. Unlike tennis, it involves much less effort and is much easier to learn, so pick up a racket today and give it a shot!   4. Squash Think tennis, but against a wall. Squash is one of those sports where you really get to unleash all your frustration with a racket in your hand and a tennis ball in front of you. Jokes aside, squash is another somewhat niche but really fun sport that is best played with a friend and makes for a really good workout in the process! You'll probably need a squash court to get started, but you can also get away with just a horizontal line on a wall (acting as the net), and a racket and ball are essential.   5. Volleyball We’ve all seen the movie scenes of beach volleyball and wondered what it would be like to make a diving hit at the last second to get it over the net. Well, it’s time to stop wondering and go try it for yourself! Volleyball is essentially badminton with a football-like ball that is much lighter. The rules are to hit it with your hands and get the ball to drop in their half for a point. We hope we've been helpful, and until next time, goodbye!

The NBA has produced some of the most magical moments of basketball, captivating fans all around the world in the sport that is accessible and fun for everyone! Basketball has been around for well over a hundred years now, but it hasn't found quite the popularity that football has, for example. For this reason, it can be confusing for new people to understand exactly how the game is played and what they'll need. Well, worry not! We're here to show you everything that you'll need to get started with basketball and have the time of your life:   What You’re Supposed to do The goal of the game is to throw the basketball into the opposing team's hoop, which gets you points based on the distance and type of shot you landed in it. Generally, teams will pass the ball around and try to score at all costs, with longer shots meaning more points (but harder to land) and short baskets giving comparatively fewer points. Like any sport, the team with the higher points at the end is crowned the winner of the match.   What You’ll Need to Get Started Let's get straight to the best part of basketball (for me, at least); the shoes. The feeling you get with getting a pair of Nike Kobe 9 Elites in the Moonwalker colorway, or maybe your favorite pair of Jordans, is just unbeatable for me and creates half the appeal of playing the game in the first place! That aside, basketball shoes are essential to make sure you can maneuver and position yourself around the court without slipping or hurting your ankles. Apart from shoes, you'll need a basketball (of course) and a court with at least one hoop (which is enough for playing a half-court basketball game). Only five players at maximum can play at a time on the court, with seven players acting as substitutes. The positions are defined as follows: Point Guard Defensive Guard Center Offensive Forward Defensive Forward The positions act as guidelines and are crucial for carrying out match strategy, but no player is prohibited from moving around freely on the court. The measurements of the court are roughly 90 feet long and 50 feet wide, with a center line and three-point arcs around the hoop of each team. These arcs define the limit outside which if you can score a basket, you are rewarded with 3 points, while baskets within the arc are scored as 2 points. There is also a marking called the 'key' within the arc, which is where free throws are taken from should a foul occur. The time format of the game is split into four phases; quarters, each lasting 4 minutes. There is a half-time gap between the 2nd and 3rd quarters for the players to rest and strategize if needed. That wraps up our guide on getting started with basketball; we hope this has been helpful and that you have lots of fun with the game!

Getting into sports is one of the best decisions you can make for your physical and mental well-being. However, starting is often simpler than deciding which specific sport you should get into, as there are so many of them to choose from! Well, there's no need to worry, as we have the answer right here in this article; let's get started!   Define Your Goals Before deciding on a sport, think about why you’re starting sports. There can be a plethora of reasons, but the two broad categories are starting for fun or starting to get physically fit (in a fun way, of course!). If you’re starting just for fun, you can choose more or less anything that appeals to you! However, if physical fitness is the primary goal, some options will be better for you than others. Luckily, it just so happens that they are all as fun as the other, so you're not missing out on anything! With that said, let's move on to the list of sports:   Table Tennis Compared to some other sports, table tennis is not as physically intense; however, it still packs a workout! This is an ideal sport if physical fitness is a secondary goal and you mostly just want to have fun. The sport relies mostly on your upper body and requires hand-eye coordination more than it requires strength. So, if you're looking for a fun time without putting too much effort in, ping pong is the way to go!   Football Football is a sport where you must constantly be moving around, whether walking or jogging or running, or else you'll be out of position! Moreover, when you have the ball or contest an opponent for it, you will need upper body strength to shield against them. Accordingly, football is ideal for when you want to prioritize physical fitness along with the fun! The constant running paired with jostling with opponents makes for a full-body workout and builds both upper and lower body strength.   Basketball Similar to football, you're going to be moving around a lot here, so a lower-body workout is provided here. Another benefit of this is cardio; your heart rate remains elevated throughout, leading to excess fat and calorie burning. Along with moving around, you'll need upper body strength here as well! Basketball is also a contact sport; you'll be shielding from opponents while also throwing the ball with your arms; more strength means faster passes and longer-distance throws.   Esports This is another pick for people who are looking for fun and not necessarily physical exercise but mental exercise! Competitive video games are one of the best ways to improve your hand-eye coordination, teamwork, coordination decision-making, and critical thinking skills, among other things. While esports is still an unorthodox concept for a lot of people today, we assure you that you will not be disappointed if you give it a shot! We hope this has been a helpful guide and until next time, take care and good luck with whichever sport you choose!

Sports are an essential part of student life and have countless benefits for both their mental and physical well-being. Most schools often offer a wide range of sports to students so they can choose the one they love and have fun with while also benefiting from the advantages. With that said, it can be helpful to look at some of the best options that schools typically offer and how they can be more fun than others! So, let's get into it:   Football This is a childhood favorite of mine and a sport that I've played all my life! Football involves teams of 11 or 5 (depending on the size of the pitch), and the objective is to put the ball in the opposing team's net. Players can use any part of their body to score beside their hands and forearms. Each goal equals one point, and the team with the most goals wins at the end. In case of a tie, the teams go to extra time. If the game remains goalless even after that, the match is decided by a penalty shoot-out! Football is one of the most accessible and widely offered sports at school and is a great option, especially for students.   Cricket More popular in Asia and Europe, cricket is a sport similar to baseball, where two teams compete to get the most runs. Runs are scored by whichever team is batting at that time, with no more than two batsmen on the pitch at a time. The bowling team can have all eleven players out on the pitch, with one bowler and ten fielders. The team with the most runs in each of their batting performances (known as innings). To play cricket, you'll need at least one bat, a cricket ball, wickets, and a pitch to play on.   Table Tennis Some of my best memories were formed around a table tennis game. All you need is a pair of rackets, a table tennis ball, and a table to play on, which most schools often have. The game requires very little setup and effort to play and packs hours of fun and exercise! The objective is to hit the ball past the other player's half without letting it bounce in your half. At the same time, the ball must bounce in the other player's half at least once, or it will count as a point against you!   Basketball Basketball is another game where you can get full body exercise while having lots of fun and building your teamwork skills simultaneously. The game involves five players on each side who must coordinate to throw the ball into the other team's hoop. If the points are scored from outside the 3-point arc, the team is rewarded with 3 points, while points inside the arc are counted as 2 points. The team with the most points at the end wins! All you need to get started is a basketball court and a basketball.

Over a century ago, in 1891, basketball was created by Dr. James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts. The game has been an instant success and is now among a few of the top and most popular sports across the globe. It's been more than 100 years since its inception as a recreational sport, but many people still need to learn more about this exciting and fast-paced game.   What is Basketball?  Basketball is played on a rectangular court with two hoops at either end, surrounded by a raised rim. The game's mission is to score points by throwing or "shooting" the ball into the hoop while preventing your opponent from scoring. Players can move around the court by dribbling or bouncing the ball on the ground, shooting it ahead, or passing it to a teammate.   Why Was Basketball Invented?  James Naismith, who invented basketball, created the game as a way for his students to stay active during harsh New England winters. He wanted to create a sport that was simple and fun but required skill and precision to succeed. And he succeeded - basketball has finally become the most famous sport in the world, with millions of people tuning in yearly to watch professional games and leagues. Despite its popularity, there is still a lot that people still need to learn about basketball. For example, many need to know this exciting game's unique rules, strategies, and skills. Whether you're new to the sport or already a die-hard fan, basketball is always something to learn.    What are the original rules of the game? Dr. James Naismith himself created the original rules of basketball. These rules outlined the basic structure and gameplay of the sport, including elements such as goal scoring, fouls, and player positions. One of the most notable aspects of these original rules was their emphasis on physical fitness - they required players to be active and agile to be successful. The original rules stated that the ball might be thrown in any direction with either or both hands, but a fist could never be used.  A player was required to toss the ball from where they caught it and was not allowed to run with it.  It was against the rules for players to strike, trip, or push other competitors.  A player would be kicked out of the game until the next goal was scored if they committed a second foul.  If there were evidence that a player intended to injure an opponent, then that player would be disqualified from the game for the entirety of it.  The game consisted of two halves that each lasted 15 minutes, with a five-minute break in between each half.  The winning group was determined to be the one that scored the most goals in the specified amount of time. If a match ended in a draw, the play could continue until one of the teams scored again.   Conclusion  While basketball is a relatively simple game, players use many different strategies and tactics to outsmart their opponents. So if you're looking for some exciting action and top-notch competition, be sure to give basketball a try!

Basketball is a global sport that has become extremely popular since its invention in 1891. Today, Basketball is played by over 300 million people in over 200 countries and is the most popular team sport in the world. The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) regulates the game internationally, while national organizations such as USA Basketball govern it within each country.  Basketball is one of the most televised sports in the world and one of the most famous team sports in high schools and colleges throughout North America.    How is it played?  Basketball is a team sport played by two teams on a rectangular-shaped court. The real goal is to shoot a ball through a hoop high-mounted to a backboard at each end. Basketball was invented in December 1891 by Canadian-American James Naismith.  The most common position on the court is point guard, where a player controls the offense by bringing the ball upcourt and passing it to teammates. Other players in a basketball game include shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. Basketball is a highly fast-paced sport that requires speed, agility, quickness, and endurance from all of its players to be successful on the court.   Basic rules of the game for newbies  There are several basic rules that basketball players must abide by to be successful on the court.  First, all players must have both feet behind the three-point line when they shoot or pass the ball. Also, no player may touch the ball after it has been dribbled once - this is known as "double dribbling" and is considered an illegal move. Additionally, the offensive team has ten seconds to advance the ball past its half of the court, or else they will be called for a violation known as a "backcourt violation." The most common violations in Basketball include traveling (taking more than two steps while dribbling the ball) and shooting after time has expired.  To prevent any contact between players, the defensive team must maintain a certain distance from offensive players, known as "the three-second rule." To score points in Basketball, teams must shoot the ball into their opponent's basket. The most common way of scoring points is by throwing the ball through the opponent's basket from within the three-point line. A successful shot is worth two points, while a shot taken from behind the three-point line is taken as a three-pointer.  The teams may also attempt to shoot free throws by shooting the ball through an opponent's defensive ring without the benefit of being defended by an opposing player. If successful, these attempts are worth one point each.  Finally, a team may also score points by throwing the ball into their opponent's basket after rebounding off the backboard or rim - this is known as a "field goal."   Conclusion  Basketball is an exhilarating sport requiring speed, endurance, agility, and skill from all players on offense and defense. Regardless of your skill level, learning and practicing the game's basic rules is essential to be successful on the court. By following these simple guidelines, you can become a skilled ball player and enjoy this exciting sport for years to come!

Getting the proper footwear for the sport that you're playing is an important step that often gets overlooked. For example, it may seem easy and natural to play football in your favourite pair of sneakers, but you'll quickly find that this is a fast one-way ticket to ruining and even destroying the entire shoe from the extreme wear. So, what should you get instead? That's exactly what we're going to discuss today! Starting with:   For Football If football is your choice of sport, you will want cleats. However, there is more to it than that. Cleats are only viable (and allowed) if you're going to play in a field with natural grass. If the field has artificial grass or Astroturf on it, you'll want a slightly different version of the cleats suited to that specific surface (search artificial grass or turf variants for the shoe of your choice). Similarly, for indoor courts, you cannot get away with wearing cleats as not only will they damage the court floor, you will constantly be slipping about and risk injuring yourself due to a lack of grip. For these courts, you should look into IC (indoor court) football boots that look similar to a pair of sneakers but have tougher upper materials to withstand the wear.   For Basketball Basketball shoes are often as much a fashion statement as they are functional. Unlike football shoes, you will not need to pay much attention to the surface, as basketball is almost exclusively played on hard surfaces. Accordingly, you'll be fine with any pair of basketball shoes you like. Factors to consider are pricing; the higher priced ones will likely last longer and be more comfortable, and the style of the shoe; low tops and high tops. Most basketball shoes are high tops to protect the ankle of the player, but low-top versions have also been a popular choice in recent times as they offer more freedom and flexibility while also being lightweight.   For Running This is one sport where you can easily get away with your favourite pair of sneakers; it's what they were made for! When it comes to running shoes, it's hard to go wrong with any of the popular options from Adidas, Nike, Asics, and Brooks, among others. The exact choice you pick will depend on your preference. For me, I like a lot of underfoot padding (more foam) and a firm but soft fit on top. What you'll want to avoid when going running is doing it in a pair of casual wear shoes like Vans, which are not designed to run long distances in, nor do they have enough padding to keep you comfortable while you run.   For Tennis In tennis, you'll want a pair of lightweight shoes that offer flexibility without including too much foam under your foot to allow for agile movements. My favourite options in this category are the Nike Court Visions, though you can search for your preferred options as long as they meet the abovementioned requirements to enhance performance.

LeBron James, in full LeBron Raymone James, by the name King James, (born December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio, U.S.), is an American professional basketball player who has won National Basketball Association (NBA) championships with the Miami Heat (2012 and 2013), the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), and the Los Angeles Lakers (2017). LeBron James is a basketball player from the United States. He had a difficult childhood but showed incredible talent at a young age. He was instrumental in leading his team to two consecutive Division III State Championships as a freshman at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. James’s Personal Life LeBron James was born in Akron, Ohio, on December 30, 1984, to Gloria Marie James and ex-convict Anthony McClelland. Because his father was uninterested in parenting , Gloria raised him on her own. Gloria agreed to let him live with Frank Walker's family, who had introduced him to basketball when he was nine years old because she felt he would be better off with a more stable family. He played AAU basketball for the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars and attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, a white private school, rather than the local public school. He was also named Ohio's Mr. Basketball in his senior year. He was also named to USA Today's All-USA First Team and Gatorade National Player of the Year for the third and second years.                                  His Career LeBron was regarded as the best high school prospect since Kobe, and he was selected first overall in the 2003 draught. Over the years, he, Wade, and Anothony formed a formidable friendship. When he joined the Cleveland Cavaliers, he made an almost immediate impact. James led the East to victory in the 2006 All-Star Game with 29 points and was named the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player. He finished second in overall NBA Most Valuable Player Award voting to Steve Nash, despite final season averages of 31.4 points, seven rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. The Cavaliers qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1998 under James' leadership. In his postseason debut, James had a triple-double in a victory over the Washington Wizards. He made his first game-winning shot in Game 3 and another in Game 5. Cleveland would go on to defeat the Wizards before being eliminated in the second round by the Detroit Pistons. In 2012 and 2013, the Heat won back-to-back championships. He was the finals MVP and league MVP during this time, proving everyone who doubted him wrong. He had promised his beloved hometown of Cleveland a championship. He signed with the Cavs in 2014, which was well received by Cavs fans; they also made a trade for Kevin Love from the Timberwolves, and he formed an impressive trio with Kyrie Irving. The 2016 Finals are the best Finals series I've ever seen. The Cavs, trailing 3-1 in the series, win the remaining games and the championship. In his pursuit of greatness, Lebron would eventually leave Cleveland and sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would win his fourth championship in the 2020 season and continue to strive for greatness.

Kobe Bryant grew up in Italy and entered the NBA straight out of high school. Bryant was a dominant scorer for the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five NBA championships and the MVP Award in 2008. Despite injuries in his later seasons, In December 2014, he passed Michael Jordan for third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list, and he retired in 2016 after scoring 60 points in his final game.  Dear basketball won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2018. On January 26, 2020, Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gigi, and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash. Bryant’s Personal Life Joe Bryant and Pamela Cox Bryant gave birth to him on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Shaya and Sharia are his two older sisters. He grew up playing both basketball and football and was a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and the AC Milan football team. His family relocated to Rieti, Italy, when he was six. His family relocated to Philadelphia in 1991, and Kobe enrolled at 'Lower Merion High School.' The basketball legend collaborated with the non-profit After-School All-Stars as part of the Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation. He also ran the Kobe Basketball Academy, an annual summer camp. After 53 years, his basketball participation helped 'Lower Merion High School win a state championship.                                 His Career Bryant was selected as a starter for the 1998 All-Star Game in his second season with the Lakers, making him the NBA's youngest All-Star at 19. The shooting guard then won three consecutive NBA championships with superstar center Shaquille O'Neal, and he was named first-team all-NBA from 2002 to 2004. He also signed multi-year sponsorship deals with Adidas, Sprite, and other major brands. Even though the Lakers struggled after O'Neal left in 2004, Bryant excelled. He set an NBA record with 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006, the second-highest single-game total in NBA history, and led the league in scoring the following year and the year after. Bryant was named Most Valuable Player in 2008, and he led his team to the NBA Finals, where the Boston Celtics defeated them. The Lakers won the NBA Finals in 2009, defeating the Orlando Magic. Soon after, Bryant attended a memorial service for friend and music legend Michael Jackson. The Lakers won their second straight championship the following year, defeating the Celtics. Bryant was a member of the United States Olympic teams in 2008 and 2012, winning gold medals with teammates Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Carmelo Anthony, among others.   Bryant put in a lot of effort to get back on the court after tearing his Achilles tendon in April 2013., but he fractured his knee just six games into the 2013-2014 season. The veteran All-Star passed Michael Jordan for third place on the NBA scoring list in December 2014, but his season was cut short for the third time in a row when he tore his rotator cuff in January 2015.

The son of Delores and James Jordan, Michael Jeffrey Jordan, is from Brooklyn, New York. As a young child, his family decided to relocate to Wilmington, North Carolina. The fourth of five kids, Jordan. While his mother worked at a bank, his father was employed at an electric plant.  Initially, baseball was his sport of choice, but after spending a lot of time on the basketball court, he developed a new perspective. When they played one-on-one, Larry, his elder and taller brother, consistently defeated him. Jordan’s Personal Life Brooklyn, New York, was the place of Michael Jeffrey Jordan's birth on February 17, 1963. Jordan, raised in Wilmington, North Carolina, acquired a competitive edge from a young age. In every game he played, he wanted to prevail. Jordan had a secure home environment as a child. Delores, his mother, was a bank teller before becoming a published author. James, his father, was a General Electric maintenance worker who later became a manager. James Jr., Larry, Deloris, Roslyn, and Jordan were Jordan's four siblings. James, Jordan's father, created a basketball court in their backyard and introduced his son to baseball. James was killed in the summer of 1993 while traveling from Charlotte to Wilmington, North Carolina when two teens shot him in his car during what appeared to be a heist. Before his remains were discovered in a swamp in McColl, South Carolina, he was reported missing for 11 days. After being tried for the crime, the teenagers were found guilty and given life terms for first-degree murder.                                His Career   Jordan joined Dean Smith's team-centered system, and his potential began to move in the right direction. He earned 13.4 points per game on average while shooting 53.4% from the field, earning him the title of ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) Freshman of the Year. The 1982 NCAA Championship, which the North Carolina Tar Heels won with his help, marked a significant turning point in Jordan's career. He was then chosen by the Chicago Bulls in the third round of the NBA Draft to play for them in the 1984 campaign. Jordan displayed moments of brilliance and rose to the status of the pin-up boy during the NBA's 1984 season. This incredibly gifted shooter and passer displayed his ball-handling prowess by slamming down free throws with respectable averages. Because of his large fan base, some of his teammates began to feel a twinge of envy, which resulted in a so-called "freeze-out" on Jordan when players refused to give him a pass during the game. But what set Jordan apart from others was his considerate and impartial stance toward all the problems at the time. Jordan suffered a major leg injury after his season victory, which kept him out of 64 games. On January 13, 1999, Jordan said goodbye to the basketball court for the second time during his incredible playing career. However, in 2000, Jordan made a triumphant comeback to the NBA as the owner and president of the basketball operations of the Washington Wizards.  Jordan was a member of the all-star team that included Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and David Robinson. With enthusiasm and swagger, he helped the national team win a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in 1984 and 1992. Jordan retired from playing basketball but kept up his athletic pursuits.  He started riding motorcycles, marketing his clothing company, and participating in celebrity charity golf events. He owns the Michael Jordan Motorsports professional motorcycle road racing team.

A player who can legitimately be referred to as a superstar emerges roughly once every generation. A player like this was Larry Bird. Bird’s Personal Life On December 7, 1956, Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana. He was reared in French Lick, a nearby community, where he quickly became a basketball prodigy. By the time he graduated in 1974 from Springs Valley High School in French Lick, Bird had played an important role on the team and established himself as its all-time top scorer. Bird received an athletic scholarship to Indiana University in recognition of his basketball prowess, where he would play for famed coach Bob Knight. The quick-drawing forward withdrew from school due to his concerns about the vastness of the Hoosier campus and enrolled at Indiana State the next year.                                 His Career Because of Larry's outstanding performances while representing his school, Indiana University became interested in him. It gave him a scholarship and a chance to play for their team while being coached by Bob Knight, the best coach at the time. The squad made their first NCAA tournament berth under his direction. The competition significantly influenced Larry's career. Despite losing the championship, Larry's outstanding performance earned him player of the year honors. Larry's big break came in 1978 when he was selected to play with the "Boston Celtics." Larry chose to play for Indiana State's final season despite declining the offer. He kept on playing for the "Sycamores," helping them to the NCAA championship game. In addition to being chosen to the All-Star Squad and winning Rookie of the Year, Larry helped the team reach new heights. He helped the squad advance by helping them win 32 games overall while averaging 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. After several losses, the squad eventually prevailed, defeating the "Houston Rockets" in the title game. In 1982, Larry finished second for Most Valuable Player with a 19-point performance, winning the All-Star Game MVP Award. Larry had impressive statistics that year but could not get to the NBA finals. He missed quite a bit of time playing because of a heel ailment. Despite making a comeback in 1989, his health failed him once more. Larry participated in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics for the US basketball team and brought home a gold medal. The retirement of Larry was announced on August 18, 1992. One of the all-time best basketball players is considered to be Bird. He was selected as one of the NBA's Top 50 players in 1996 and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998, highlighting his significance to the sport's history. Only five other basketball players were ranked higher than him on ESPN SportsCentury's Top 50 athletes of the 20th century in 1999.

The contribution Robinson made to Major League Baseball will always be cherished. Every major league team observes Jackie Robinson Day on April 15 each year to commemorate the day he broke the color barrier in baseball by becoming the first African-American player to play in either the American or National leagues in the 20th century. Robinson’s Personal Life On January 31, 1919, Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia. The youngest of five kids, he was young. Soon after Jackie was born, his father abandoned the family, and Jackie never saw him again. He was reared by his mother, Millie, and his three brothers and one sister. After Jackie was born, the family relocated to Pasadena, California, around a year later. Jackie watched his elder siblings succeed in sports there as he grew up. At the 1936 Olympics, his brother Mack, a track standout, took home a silver medal in the 200-meter dash. Jackie attended UCLA for college, where he excelled in basketball, football, baseball, and track. He was the first UCLA athlete to receive varsity letters in all four sports. In the long jump, he was the NCAA champion as well. Robinson played professional football after graduating from college, but World War II's outbreak quickly ended his career. He was enlisted in the military. Jackie met renowned boxing champion Joe Lewis, at basic training, and they grew close. Robinson attended officer training school with the assistance of Joe. Jackie was deployed to Fort Hood, Texas, to join the 761st Tank Battalion after completing his officer training. Because they were not permitted to serve alongside white soldiers, this battalion was exclusively made up of African-American soldiers.                                 His Career Early in 1945, the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro League signed Jackie Robinson, who had a successful season, hitting.387. Branch Rickey, an executive for the Brooklyn Dodgers, was scouting the Negro Leagues at the time to find players who had not only the talent but also the temperament to handle the pressures of integrating Major League Baseball. In August 1945, Rickey interviewed several baseball players before selecting Robinson to join the Royals, a Dodgers feeder team in Montreal. His 1947 Dodgers debut attracted much attention, but not all favorable. Robinson soon established himself as a player, although opponents' teams and supporters objected to his skin tone. Robinson would go on to hit.311 throughout a 10-year career, despite being signed by the Dodgers at the comparatively advanced age of 28. In 1949, when he led the National League in batting with a.342 average, most stolen bases (37), and a career-high 124 RBI, he earned the First and Most Valuable Player Award for the first time ever given to a player of color. From 1949 to 1954, Robinson was an All-Star each year. In 1955, he guided Brooklyn to a World Series victory over the New York Yankees. Robinson worked as a sportscaster and a business executive at Chock full o'Nuts and was involved in the NAACP and other civil rights organizations after leaving the Dodgers.