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Basketball History 101

Basketball History 101

Written by: Rick Loayza
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About this listen

 I am your author and host, Rick Loayza. This is the blog and podcast where we bring to life some of the forgotten stories from basketball history. I love basketball. I love watching it. I love reading about it. I love learning about its history. I am, for all intents and purposes, a basketball junkie. I’ve coached all three of my kids in youth basketball. In fact, I still coach my youngest each winter. Something just happened to me when I was 11 where I was bitten by the basketball bug. And starting then, I just couldn’t get enough of this amazing game. And the purpose of this podcast and blog is to bring back some of the old stories from basketball’s history. I want to bring you a new story each week from the older days of basketball before there were 22 cameras and instant highlights on your device. Of course, any story from anywhere in basketball history is up for grabs. But I want the focus to be on those stories that are interesting and impactful but long forgotten. I’ll be covering stories going all the way back to the invention of the game in the 1890s, to the barnstorming days of basketball in the 1920s and 30s, to the creation of the current NBA in the 1940s and beyond. So, if you love basketball as much as I do, or you just want to hear a few stories from basketball’s past, then go ahead and subscribe to the podcast and come back to this blog to hear or read a new story each week. For me, this is a labor of love as I get to work with my older son, Jacob Loayza, who serves as my editor and producer. Until next time…Rick Loayza Basketball World
Episodes
  • Episode 281 - Learning the Skyhook

    Episode 281 - Learning the Skyhook
    Jan 6 2026

    The Sky Hook is arguably the most famous shot in NBA history. But how did Kareem Abdul-Jabber learn it in the first place? That is our story for today.

    CREDITS

    Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

    Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

    MUSIC

    "Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music]" by Mokka Music

    "Horizons" by Roa

    SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

    sportshistorynetwork.com

    sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

    FACEBOOK

    m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

    BUSINESS CONTACT

    bballhistory101@gmail.com
    Show More Show Less
    11 mins
  • Episode 280 - The NBA Territorial Pick

    Episode 280 - The NBA Territorial Pick
    Dec 30 2025

    From 1949 until 1965, the NBA employed the concept of the Territorial Draft Pick, which allowed team to automatically take a player that played their university basketball within 50 miles of the NBA team’s arena. It allowed college superstars to play locally where their fans could see them play in the NBA. It made sense at the time. Join us as we take a look back.

    CREDITS

    Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

    Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

    MUSIC

    "Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music]" by MokkaMusic

    "Horizons" by Roa

    SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

    sportshistorynetwork.com

    sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

    FACEBOOK

    m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

    BUSINESS CONTACT

    bballhistory101@gmail.com
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • Episode 279 - The First Game REDUX || Ep. 177 Re-Air

    Episode 279 - The First Game REDUX || Ep. 177 Re-Air
    Dec 23 2025

    For this Christmas week episode, we're re-airing Episode 177 from January 2, 2024. We had done a redux of our very first episode, telling the story of basketball's first game, and if you missed it then, this is our present to you now! From all of us here at BBH.101, we wish you a very merry Christmas!

    CREDITS

    Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

    Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

    MUSIC

    "The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa

    "Horizons" by Roa

    SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

    sportshistorynetwork.com

    sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

    FACEBOOK

    m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

    BUSINESS CONTACT

    bballhistory101@gmail.com
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
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