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You've probably never heard of William Chase. But every shot in basketball pays tribute to him. In December 1891, in the 1st basketball game ever, Chase made the first basket in hoops history (in a 1-0 game). My story on the game's forgotten pioneer. https://shawnpfury.medium.com/william-chase-the-man-who-made-basketballs-first-ever-basket-b9fe30300366
Chase was 24 years old at the time he played in the first game under Naismith's watch. In 1947, he spoke with a reporter about his big shot. "I aimed the ball for the basket but it hit a couple of players and bounced back again. I tried again and this time my shot was perfect."
I dug through a ton of newspaper archives for the story and also talked with a man who worked with William at an insurance agency in the 1940s. And Springfield College's Archives were an invaluable source of information on all the early players.
https://basketballplayers.omeka.net/birthofbasketball
https://basketballplayers.omeka.net/birthofbasketball
Main thing that struck me researching Chase's life, his early years and his final ones, is the joy he got from basketball is the same feeling experienced by fans and players now. Through 129 years nothing is as fun as simply shooting baskets--and seeing the ball drop in the hoop.
