Basketball was created in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian professor, who invented the game to keep students active indoors during the winter in Massachusetts. He nailed a peach basket to the wall and established basic rules. The National Basketball Association (NBA) was founded in 1946 by hockey rink owners and began in New York City. The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) was established in 1996 by women who wanted a professional league and has grown to include 13 teams.