What were the origins of basketball?
James Naismith, a gym instructor in New England, invented basketball in 1891 as an alternative to football. The original basketball game involved throwing a ball into a peach basket. Since then, the game has progressed to become one of the most popular sports in the world.
Below is an instruction that describes a task, paired with an input that provides further context. Write a response that appropriately completes the request.
### Instruction: What were the origins of basketball?
### Input: 
### Response: James Naismith, a gym instructor in New England, invented basketball in 1891 as an alternative to football. The original basketball game involved throwing a ball into a peach basket. Since then, the game has progressed to become one of the most popular sports in the world.</s>