ESPN.com · Oct 30, 2015
Long-forgotten Leo Ferris helped devise NBA's 24-second clock, first used 61 years ago today
On Aug. 3, 1949, representatives of the National Basketball League and Basketball Association of America agreed to merge, forming the NBA. Leo Ferris, part of the NBL, has his arms around Maurice Podoloff.The NBA played its first game with the 24-second shot clock 61 years ago today, but the man whom many credit with devising the formula for the current shot clock and helping found the NBA in 1949 has been long forgotten.