The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America founded in 1946. It is the world’s premier men’s professional basketball league and is composed of 30 teams from the United States and Canada. The NBA is considered one of the most popular professional sports leagues in the world, with fans from all over the globe.
One of the most interesting aspects of the NBA is the racial makeup of its players. The NBA is made up of players from around the world, and the majority of its players are African-American. So, what percent of the NBA is black?
Racial Breakdown of the NBA
According to the 2019–20 NBA season, the racial breakdown of the NBA was 74.4 percent African American, 23.3 percent white, 1.8 percent Latino, and 0.2 percent Asian. The African-American demographic is the most represented and makes up 74.4 percent of the NBA.
This is not surprising given that basketball is one of the most popular sports in the African-American community. African-Americans have a long history of playing basketball and have been instrumental in the success and popularity of the NBA.
The Role of African-Americans in the NBA
African-Americans have been a major part of the NBA since its founding in 1946. The first African-American player in the NBA was Earl Lloyd, who played for the Washington Capitols in the 1950–51 season.
Since then, African-Americans have been a major force in the NBA, both on and off the court. African-American players have won numerous individual awards and championship teams, and African-American coaches, general managers, and owners have had a major impact on the league.
Notable African-American Players in the NBA
Throughout its history, the NBA has been home to some of the most talented and influential African-American players. Some of the most notable African-American players in the NBA include:
- Michael Jordan – The greatest player of all time, Jordan is a six-time NBA champion and five-time MVP.
- Kobe Bryant – A five-time NBA champion, Bryant was a dominant scorer and one of the greatest players of his generation.
- LeBron James – An eight-time All-Star and four-time MVP, James is one of the greatest players in NBA history.
- Shaquille O’Neal – A four-time NBA champion and three-time MVP, O’Neal is one of the most dominant big men in NBA history.
- Magic Johnson – A five-time NBA champion and three-time MVP, Johnson is one of the greatest point guards of all time.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – The NBA’s all-time leading scorer, Abdul-Jabbar is a six-time MVP and six-time NBA champion.
African-American Coaches and Executives
African-Americans have also been influential in the NBA as coaches and executives. Notable African-American coaches and executives in the NBA include:
- Gregg Popovich – The longest-tenured coach in NBA history, Popovich has won five NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs.
- Doc Rivers – The current head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, Rivers has won one NBA championship with the Boston Celtics.
- David Griffin – The current executive vice president of basketball operations for the New Orleans Pelicans, Griffin has served as a general manager for two NBA teams.
- Bob Johnson – The first African-American majority owner of an NBA team, Johnson was the owner of the Charlotte Bobcats from 2004–2010.
African-American Ownership in the NBA
African-Americans have also been influential in the ownership of NBA teams. While African-Americans make up a small percentage of NBA owners, notable African-American owners include:
- Michael Jordan – Jordan is the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets.
- Robert Johnson – Johnson was the first African-American majority owner in the NBA, owning the Charlotte Bobcats from 2004–2010.
- Oprah Winfrey – Winfrey is part-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.
- Grant Hill – Hill is part-owner of the Atlanta Hawks.
Conclusion
The NBA is made up of players from around the world, and the majority of its players are African-American. According to the 2019–20 NBA season, the racial breakdown of the NBA was 74.4 percent African American, 23.3 percent white, 1.8 percent Latino, and 0.2 percent Asian. African-Americans have been influential in the NBA as players, coaches, executives, and owners, and have had a major impact on the league.