Reddit mentions of Breaking Through: John B. McLendon, Basketball Legend and Civil Rights Pioneer

John McLendon should be on there. He is not as well known to white America as the others who have been mentioned, but his impact on the game of basketball dwarfs that of almost all other contributors to the game.

McLendon was twice inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame. First as a "Contributor" in 1979 and agains as a "Coach" in 2016.

Dr. J. refered to Coach Mac as the father of black basketball.

Biography by Milton Katz is an excellent book.

The Forgotten Coach is an excellent documentary.

McLendon was the first African-American graduate of KU's physical education program, graduating in 1936 When he arrived a KU, James Naismith was in the final years of his tenure and the final years of his life. McLendon chose KU because Naismith was there. Naismith, in turn, befriended McLendon and often put his substantial weight behind McLendon.

Although McLendon did not play basketball at KU, he did learn the game from Dr. Naismith and Dr. Allen.

VIDEO: seven minute biography
VIDEO: McLendon talks about Naismith

McLendon is credited with perfecting the fast break, the full-court zone-press defense, and the four corners offense made famous by Dean Smith at UNC

McLendon co-founded the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).
http://www.ciaatournament.org/about/ciaa-history

He coached North Carolina College for Negroes to 8 CIAA Chamipionships.

McLendon coached his North Carolina College team against the Duke Medical School team in the 1946 “Secret Game.”

McLendon was instrumental in integrating the NAIA (then known as the NAIB) tournament.

McLendon petitioned the NABC to consider recommending that black colleges be allowed to participate in their end-of-season tournaments. The NAIA welcomed them. The NCAA did not, causing McLendon to refer say that the letters stood for “No Colored Athletes Allowed.”

His coaching resume:
Won CIAA Tournament 8 times
Won NAIA Tournament 3 consecutive times
First African American to coach at a predominantly white university.
First African American to be hired as coach of a professional team in any sport.
First African American to coach an ABA team.

McLendon led an integrated All-Star team against the USSR squad, winning all 8 games played in the Soviet Union. McLendon warned the OS Olympic Committee against taking international competition too lightly.
McLendon was twice chosen as an assistant coach of the USA Olympic basketball team (1868 and 1972)
McLendon was hired as a basketball ambassador by Converse, serving many years in that capacity giving clinics worldwide on the game of basketball.