Kristian Ferrell
Basketball is a sport with a long and complex history when it comes to race. The sport was invented in 1891 by James Naismith, a white man, and it quickly spread across the United States and beyond. The NBA was founded in 1946, with the first non-white player, Wat Misaka, an Asian American, joining the league in 1947. African Americans entered the league in 1950, and since then, the racial composition of the league has continued to evolve. In recent years, commentators have noted the dwindling number of white American players in the NBA, with the league composed of 70.4% black players, 17.5% white players, 2.2% Latino players, and 0.2% Asian players in 2023. This shift in demographics has sparked discussions about race, opportunity, and the perception of athletic ability in basketball and American society as a whole.
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What You'll Learn
- Basketball was invented by a white man, James Naismith, in 1891
- The sport was an instant success and was soon played across the world
- In the 1980s and 1990s, the NBA had a higher percentage of white players
- Since the 1990s, the number of white American players in the NBA has decreased
- There are several theories as to why there are fewer white American players in the NBA today
Basketball was invented by a white man, James Naismith, in 1891
Orphaned at a young age, Naismith was raised by his aunt and uncle and excelled academically and athletically. He attended McGill University in Montreal, where he was a talented athlete in football, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, and gymnastics. After graduating, he returned to McGill as a physical education teacher.
In 1890, Naismith moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, to teach at the International YMCA Training School. It was here that he invented basketball in 1891. The game was created to provide an athletic distraction for a rowdy class that was confined to indoor activities during the harsh New England winter.
Naismith designed basketball with a set of 13 initial rules. The game was played with a soccer ball and two peach baskets placed 10 feet up in the air, with nine players on each team. Points were earned by successfully tossing the ball into the baskets, and players had to climb a ladder to retrieve the ball after each basket.
Basketball quickly gained popularity, and Naismith went on to write the official rule book and establish the University of Kansas basketball program in 1898. He lived to see basketball adopted as an Olympic demonstration sport in 1904 and as an official event at the 1936 Summer Olympics. Naismith's invention of basketball had a significant impact on the sport's development and its influence on American culture.
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The sport was an instant success and was soon played across the world
Basketball, invented by James Naismith, was initially a white sport. However, over time, the racial composition of the National Basketball Association (NBA) has evolved, with the first non-white player, Wat Misaka, an Asian American, joining the league in 1947, followed by African Americans from 1950 onwards. Despite the changing demographics, the sport's popularity has endured, and it has gained a global following.
In the 1950s, the NBA was characterised by racial segregation, with Black players often restricted to specific roles and facing discrimination. Yet, pioneers like Chuck Cooper, Nat Clifton, and Earl Lloyd challenged these barriers, becoming the first Black players to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Their contributions paved the way for greater racial integration in the league.
By the 1980s and 1990s, the NBA featured a significant number of white players, with notable stars like Larry Bird. However, a shift began to occur, and by the 2015-16 season, the percentage of white players had decreased, with only 18.3% of players identified as white, including non-Americans, particularly Europeans. This trend continued, and by 2023, the league's composition was approximately 70.4% Black players, 17.5% white players, 2.2% Latino players, 0.2% Asian players, and 9.7% multiracial or identified as "other" races.
The changing racial dynamics in the NBA have also been reflected in its ownership and fan demographics. In 2004-05, Robert Johnson of the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) became the first Black majority team owner in the NBA. This trend continued, and by 2019, three NBA teams had non-white majority owners. The fan base of the NBA has also diversified, with African Americans and Asian Americans spending the most time watching the league during the 2013-14 season. During the 2016-17 season, racial and ethnic minorities made up 66% of the league's viewers, demonstrating the sport's broad appeal.
Despite the decreasing representation of white American players in the NBA, basketball remains a popular sport worldwide, with thriving leagues and talented players from various countries, including Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The sport's global appeal has contributed to its enduring success, with fans and players of diverse backgrounds embracing the game.
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In the 1980s and 1990s, the NBA had a higher percentage of white players
The composition of race and ethnicity in the NBA has changed throughout the league's history. While the NBA in 2023 was composed of 70.4 percent black players, the league had a higher percentage of white players in the 1980s and 1990s.
In 1947, Wat Misaka became the first non-white player to play in the league; he was of Asian American descent. African Americans entered the league beginning in 1950. In the 1980s, there were a significant number of white players in the NBA, with players like Larry Bird standing out for their exceptional skills. In fact, Bird, a Hall of Fame player and Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations, stated in 2004 that the league needed more white players since the league's fans are mostly white. He suggested that having more white players might excite the predominantly white fan base.
During the 1996–97 season, only three NBA teams did not have an American-born white player on their roster. In the 1990-1991 season, the percentage of white players was just over 25%, but this number declined to 20% in the 1998-1999 season. This decrease in white representation continued into the 2010s, with the percentage of white players in the NBA dropping to 17% in 2011, the lowest since the report began in 1990.
The racial composition of NBA teams in the 1980s and 1990s was positively correlated with the racial composition of their metropolitan markets. Teams located in areas with a higher percentage of white residents were more likely to employ white players, and these markets tended to have greater attendance. Additionally, there was increased viewership when white players occupied more roster spots, which may have contributed to the higher percentage of white players during this period.
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Since the 1990s, the number of white American players in the NBA has decreased
The composition of race and ethnicity in the NBA has changed throughout its history. The first non-white player to play in the league was an Asian American, Wat Misaka, in 1947. African Americans entered the league beginning in 1950. According to racial equality activist Richard Lapchick, the NBA in 2023 was composed of 70.4 percent black players, 17.5 percent white players, 2.2 percent Latino players of any race, and 0.2 percent Asian players. The league has the highest percentage of black players of any major professional sports league in the US and Canada.
There are several possible reasons for the decline of white American players in the NBA. One theory is that white American teenagers are moving towards sports that are still predominantly played by white people, such as hockey, or urban sports like skateboarding, BMX, and parkour. Another theory is that white American players are not good enough defensively to play in the NBA. Lakers guard Derek Fisher stated that he felt he could take advantage of a white defender. Additionally, the decline in interest in the NBA since the 1980s may be due to the audience not being able to relate to the product.
Despite the decrease in the number of white American players, the NBA has a diverse range of players from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and the league continues to evolve and change over time.
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There are several theories as to why there are fewer white American players in the NBA today
Additionally, it has been observed that in recent years, the NBA has seen an influx of talented international players, particularly from Europe and Canada, who are not American but contribute to the overall count of white players in the league. This trend may dilute the representation of white American players in the NBA.
Another factor could be the changing racial demographics of the league's audience. According to a Nielsen survey, during the 2016-17 season, the NBA had a minority-majority audience, with 66% of its viewers being racial and ethnic minorities. This shift in the racial composition of the audience may have influenced the league's efforts to diversify and include more players from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Furthermore, some have suggested that the lack of white American superstar-calibre players in recent decades may also contribute to the perception of basketball as a predominantly black sport in America, further influencing the participation rate of white American youth in the sport.
While the exact reasons for the decrease in white American players in the NBA are multifaceted and complex, it is clear that the league's racial and ethnic composition has evolved over time, reflecting broader societal changes and the increasing diversity of the sport.
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Frequently asked questions
Basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891.
Yes, basketball was initially a white sport. The first non-white player to play in the league was an Asian American, Wat Misaka, in 1947.
There are several reasons for this. Firstly, sports like football, hockey, and baseball are more popular with white people than basketball. Basketball is more popular among Black communities. Secondly, basketball is a financially more accessible sport for Black families. Finally, due to cultural and environmental factors, many white American teenagers develop skills for other sports from a young age.
Yes, some people attribute it to the myth of Black athletic superiority. Due to this myth, many Black children grow up believing that sports are their only means of upward ascension.
According to racial equality activist Richard Lapchick, the NBA in 2023 was composed of 70.4% Black players, 17.5% white players, 2.2% Latino players of any race, and 0.2% Asian players.
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