The game of Basketball was invented by the American teacher James Naismith, PhD in 1891. The very first game, according to the overdelivery, Basketball was then born in a gymnasium with 2 peach baskets, 1 soccer ball and 13 rules. Enjoying an immense popularity in the United States of America, the sport quickly caught on Europe. In 1932, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA in French) was formed by eight European nations to tap into the amateur talent pool. Germany was not among these eight countries but stepped in later.

The history of basketball in Germany starts in the 1950s. Germany first appeared in the European basketball scenario in the 1951 Eurobasket (European basketball championships) held in Paris, where they finished 12th among 18 teams. Until 1990 reunion of Germany, basketball in West Germany never met with any spectacular success. The East Germans never had any interest for the game.

In a stunning turn of events Germany won the 1993 European Championship on home ground and was also elected 'Team of the Year' by the national press. This sparked new enthusiasm for the sports in the country which gradually waned due to lack of infrastructure and professionalism. Interests were renewed when a lanky Dirk Nowitzki went on to become a superstar with the Dallas Mavericks. He raised basketball in Germany to new standards by facilitating a bronze medal in the 2002World Championships. To this day the major successes of Germany in basketball remain victory in the European Championship of 1993 at home in Germany, the silver medal in the 2005 European Championships and the bronze medal in the 2002 World Championship.

The German Basketball Federation has its headquarter in Hagen. Since October 1994, the German Basketball Federation owns the former building of the Krupp factory. Prior to this, the Basketball Federation had a small office in Cologne.

In December 2007, the German Basketball Federation named their head quarters Hans-Joachim-Höfig Haus in order to honor the former president who passed away in 2006. Höfig was crucial to establishing the Federation’s head quarters in Hagen.

The German Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) is the highest level club competition whose outcome determines the national champion. Starting in 1939, it today comprises of 18 teams battling for supremacy. The Bayer Giants Leverkusen remains championship record holder with 14 titles; although since 1997 ALBA Berlin is dominating, having celebrated their 8th championship this season 2007/2008.