1896 in basketball

Events

 * September – The YMCA cedes rule-making authority and control of amateur basketball to the U.S. Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).
 * Rule IV(1) of the "Official Basket Ball Rules" for the 1896–1897 season is changed to establish that a team consists of only five players. Games previously had featured up to nine players per side, depending on the size of the playing area.