Influencers of the 60's
The year the NBA desegregated, the same year that the first black player was drafted
1950
Was known as the rival to Larry Bird, making their rivalry a white versus black rather than two basketball players
Magic Johnson
In 2014, he was forced to sell the Los Angeles Clippers due to racist comments
Donald Sterling
This 6'11" future superstar is known as "The Greek Freak"
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Is most known for having the most NBA championships of all time
Bill Russell
These two players were quoted as saying Larry Bird would be "Just another good player if he was black"
Isiah Thomas and Dennis Rodman
Born in China, this 7'6" center played for the Rockets
Yao Ming
This 7 foot tall power forward has one ring and is known as a future hall of famer
Dirk Nowitzki
This player was a member of the Harlem Globetrotters until he joined the NBA and became an all time great
Wilt Chamberlain
The team that was mostly made up of white players, while the rest of the league was mostly black
Boston Celtics
The only player in NBA history to have more career blocks than career points, this Sudanese born player's age was never confirmed, and it is believed he continued to play basketball into his 50s
Manute Bol
This 6'10" point guard is being called "the next Lebron" and is from Australia
Ben Simmons
Who was the first black player drafted into the NBA by Red Auerbach?
Chuck Cooper
Hall of Famer who was known as "The Great White Hope"
Larry Bird
This Latvian was booed at his draft night, and is now considered one of the best players at his position
This center from Cameroon is known by his nickname "The Process"
Joel Embiid
This Coach was instrumental in the integration of black players into the NBA
Red Auerbach
Kareem Abdul Jabbar (formerly Lew Alcindor)
Was the first ever European to go number one overall in the NBA draft in 2006, although he is widely considered a bust
Andrea Bargnani
Thon Maker