Today In Sports History (February 5, 1972)

On this day in in 1972, Robert “Bob” Douglas became the first African American to be inducted in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Douglas, otherwise known as the “Father of Black Professional Basketball, was the coach and owner of the New York Renaissance from 1922 until 1949. Douglas won over 2,000 games with the Renaissance and coached his club to a 1939 World Championship. Between 1932-1933 the Renaissance won 88 straight games, and the club often traveled up to 200 miles for games. They would sometimes have to play multiple games on the same day. Throughout his career Douglas and his Renaissance often faced mistreatment and hostility solely based on the color of their skin. However, this did not stop Douglas or the Renaissance from achieving greatness. Sadly, Bob Douglas passed away in 1979, only seven years after being inducted in the Hall of Fame. But his legacy will go on forever.