FIBA,+or+International+Basketball+Federation

Sparga, M. "The Spread of Basketball Around the World." //Helium//. N.p., Web. 13 Sep. 2010. . "History of Basketball: The Timeline." //Ultimate-Youth-Basketball-Guide.Com//. Web. 15 Sep. 2010. .

Influence around the World**- “**It's becoming a common sight in nearly any country to see children shooting hoops or proudly wearing apparel that features the latest basketball superstar.”

“Basketball's "coolness" factor easily spans across the continents. From the American emphasis on shooting and dunking to the European finesse for passing and running plays, the sport has evolved as it has taken root in various countries.”

“The global spread of basketball is particularly evident in recruiting, at both the college and professional level.”

“Some of the top recruits for the NBA come from countries like Argentina or Spain.”

“There are also mega-stars like Yao Ming, who has built up a strong fan base (to say the least) in the U.S. as well as in his homeland.”

“More and more American colleges seek out top talent from foreign places, from Africa to Australia, for their basketball squads.”

“Basketball's growing global popularity means that more and more athletes around the world are excelling in the sport.”

“As basketball becomes more of a draw in foreign countries, the level of competition increases.”

“The American men's basketball "Dream Team,” has been encountering more and more parity in international competitions such as the Olympics and the FIBA World Championships in recent years.”

“As more information becomes available to more people, basketball players are able to achieve levels of fame never before possible.”

”With fame comes imitation, so young generations across the continents become more inspired to spend their afternoons shooting hoops.”

“Basketball becomes an Olympic sport at the 1936 Games held in Berlin.”

“FIBA, or International Basketball Federation, owes its name to original the French acronym of //Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur//.”

“It is an association which regulates international basketball competitions and is made up of participating members of national organizations from all over the globe.”

“In addition to the World Championships, FIBA has also introduced many other competitions such as the 12-team U-17 World Championships.”