Since its birth in a dusty American sports hall 110 years ago, the modern game of basketball has spread all over the globe.

From the day Dr James Naismith's eager students first slammed balls into peach baskets in 1891, its future was bright.

The whole of America quickly caught the bug and even England had its first taste of basketball at Birkenhead in 1892.

The game's first professional league arrived in America in 1898 and because of its popularity was introduced as a demonstration sport at the 1924 Paris Olympics.

Global audience

Great Britain were crowned champions and hopefully enjoyed the experience because the Americans were about to go on to rule the hoops world.

The United States overcame the rain and even a muddy court to win gold in basketball's very first Olympics at Berlin in 1936.

Apart from a boycott in 1980, and losing in 1972 and 1988, they have won every Olympic basketball gold medal.

And better late than never - women's basketball had their first Olympics in 1976 with the USSR winning gold.

America continue to dominate the sport with the NBA boasting the best players, but basketball grows ever more popular throughout the world.