Good morning, New Jersey! On November 7, 1896 the first known professional basketball game was played in Trenton between the Trenton YMCA and the Brooklyn YMCA. The game was played at the Trenton Masonic Temple, and an admission fee was even charged. Each player got $15 dollars except Fred Cooper who got $16 dollars, and became the game’s first highest paid player. Trenton defeated Brooklyn 15-1.