James Naismith was born on a farm in Ramsay Township, near Almonte, Ontario, Canada. Orphaned at a young age, he and his siblings were raised by his maternal uncle. His early life on the farm instilled in him a love for physical activity and a deep connection to the outdoors, shaping his later focus on physical education.

Naismith enrolled at McGill University in Montreal. He excelled not only academically but also athletically, participating in rugby, football, and lacrosse. This diverse sporting background would prove crucial in his later development of basketball, as he drew upon elements from various games.