Bob Douglas facts for kids

Robert L. Douglas (born November 4, 1882, in Saint Kitts – died July 16, 1979) was a very important person in basketball history. He founded the New York Renaissance basketball team. This team was special because it was the first professional basketball team fully owned and operated by Black people. Douglas was often called the "Father of Black Professional Basketball" because of his pioneering work.

He owned and coached the New York Rens from 1923 to 1949. During that time, he led them to an incredible record of 2,318 wins and only 381 losses. That's a winning percentage of over 85%! In 1972, Robert L. Douglas was honored by being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He was the very first African American to receive this honor.

The New York Renaissance Team

The New York Renaissance, often called the "Rens," were a groundbreaking basketball team. They traveled all over the United States, especially in the Midwest, playing against any team that would schedule a game. This included both Black and white teams.

Traveling and Challenges

Life on the road was tough for the Rens. They often traveled long distances, sometimes up to 200 miles for a single game. Because of unfair rules and practices known as Jim Crow laws, they faced a lot of challenges. These rules meant that many hotels and restaurants would not allow Black people to stay or eat there. So, the team often had to sleep on their bus and eat cold meals. Despite these difficulties, they kept playing and showing their amazing talent.

Dominance and Famous Games

The Rens quickly became one of the best basketball teams around. They were incredibly dominant, even winning an amazing 88 games in a row during the 1932–33 season!

In the 1920s and early 1930s, their games against another famous team, the Original Celtics, were huge events. People loved to watch these two top teams play. The Rens also competed in major tournaments. They won the World Professional Basketball Tournament in 1939. In 1940, they lost to the famous Harlem Globetrotters in the same tournament. Later, in 1948, they finished second to the National Basketball League champions, the Minneapolis Lakers.

Robert L. Douglas's vision and dedication helped pave the way for future generations of Black athletes in professional basketball.