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Robert L. Douglas (b. (St. Kitts) November 4, 1882[1] – d. (unknown) July 16, 1979) was the founder of the New York Renaissance basketball team, the first fully all-black professional black-owned basketball team.[2]
Robert (Bob) L. Douglas | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 4, 1882 |
| Died | July 16, 1979 (aged 96) |
| Occupation | Hall of Fame, Contributor |
Career
editNicknamed the "Father of Black Professional Basketball", Douglas owned and coached the Rens from 1923 to 1949, guiding them to a 2,318-381 record (.859).
The Rens barnstormed throughout the United States, mostly in the Midwest, and played any team that would schedule them, black or white. Traveling as far as 200 miles for a game, they often slept on the bus and ate cold meals; they were barred from many hotels and restaurants by Jim Crow laws and norms of racial discrimination which prevailed in the northern United States at the time.[2]
The Rens soon became a dominant team, winning as many as 88 consecutive games during the 1932–33 season. In the twenties and early thirties, their matches with the Original Celtics were basketball's greatest gate attraction.[2] At the World Professional Basketball Tournament they won in 1939, lost to the eventual champion Harlem Globetrotters in 1940, and finished second to the National Basketball League champion Minneapolis Lakers in 1948.
Accolades
editHe was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor in 1972, the first African American enshrined.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Bob Douglas, the Father of Black Basketball - African American Registry". 2020-02-08. Archived from the original on 2020-02-08. Retrieved 2020-02-08.
- ^ a b c Mallozzi, Vincent M. (2009-02-03). "John Isaacs, Star for Rens Basketball, Dies at 93". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-02-08.
- ^ "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Robert Douglas". www.hoophall.com. Retrieved 2020-02-08.
External links
edit- Robert L. "Bob" Douglas at the Basketball Hall of Fame
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