SPRINGFIELD, Mass (WWLP) - Children from local organizations were invited to attend a basketball clinic at the Hall of Fame Saturday morning. "We know when the game was invented, what day we're celebrating that today and no other sport can say that," said John Doleva, President & CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. December 21st, 1891, Dr. James Naismith first introduced the game of basketball to his students at the YMCA International Training Academy in Springfield, and from that point forward basketball was born. Now, nearly 600 million people across the world play the sport, leading the United Nations to create a day to celebrate basketball. "Last year, this time I was at the United Nations celebrating the first celebration there," said NBA Hall of Famer and Vice Chairman of the Board, Julius "Dr. J" Erving. And now for the second annual World Basketball Day, on the 133rd birthday of the sport, Dr. J and the Basketball Hall of Fame are celebrating with many events including a youth basketball clinic right in the birthplace. "No better way to celebrate a birthday than playing basketball," said Head Boys Basketball Coach for Pope Francis Prep, Justin Dalessio, who helped to run the clinic along with his players. The Basketball Hall of Fame tipped off the celebratory day with a youth clinic in the morning, inspiring the next generation of basketball players and fans. An event that was no doubt a slam dunk for these children. "I think giving them a chance to come down here and be part of the clinic and meet Julius Erving, who is a Hall of Famer, he played right up the road at UMass. He played at Dunbar Center in Mason Square," said Doleva. "We're going back, basically, to where the beginnings of his game were as well, so it really kind of draws a full circle around some of these kids, what can be through basketball, and I think that's the message were trying to deliver." World Basketball Day also spotlights the reach the game has beyond the court. "Seeing how the game is shared and the influence that it has on peoples lives or whatever, that's really what I think about, as opposed to just thinking about the NBA" said Erving. A game that is played by people of all ages, across 6 of the 7 continents. Originally invented right here in Springfield, Massachusetts. Recognized worldwide every year on December 21st. Find 22News on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram; send your news tips to [email protected].