Douglas, Robert 'Bob'
unknown-1979 · Contribution: 1923-1948
Basketball owner and coach
Founded the New York Renaissance, the first Black-owned, all-Black, fully professional basketball team in history
Portraits are AI-generated interpretations, not photographs.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1882, Saint Kitts, British West Indies
- Active since
- 1923
- Category
- Sports & Athletics
- Best known for
- Founding the New York Renaissance, the first Black-owned pro basketball team
Impact on the world
Known as the 'Father of Black Professional Basketball,' Douglas built a barnstorming powerhouse that beat all comers despite Jim Crow, proving Black teams could dominate the professional game.
Sources
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
1 more sources and references are available to members.
Related visionaries
Cooper, Charles 'Tarzan'
1907-1980
Star center for the New York Renaissance during their 88-game winning streak and 1932-36 dominant run
Gates, William 'Pop'
1917-1999
Star forward for the New York Renaissance and Harlem Globetrotters during the Black Fives era
Isaacs, John 'Boy Wonder'
1918-2009
Credited with bringing the pick-and-roll play to professional basketball
Norman, Conrad
unknown
Founded the Alpha Physical Culture Club, an early Black athletic organization, and coached the first all-Black women's basketball team