How many basketball trivia facts do you know? With almost a century of history, basketball has gained popularity and is an exhilarating game. The creative mind behind the concept is Canadian James Naismith.

Basketball has quite the journey from its modest beginnings as a simple winter pastime, whether you’re a player or just a fan. It has undoubtedly impacted our lives; some of the biggest companies in the world, like Nike, have built their whole brand on the sport. But there are still a lot of things that people are unaware of. Put your thinking cap on and examine one of the most well-liked sports, where black excellence is a given. I’ve put up a list of 15 amazing basketball facts that you will like!

15 Fascinating Basketball Trivia Facts

basketball trivia facts Pictured: female basketball players on the court during a game.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: JuJu Watkins #12 of the USC Trojans is defended by Wyvette Mayberry #0 of the Kansas Jayhawks as she takes the ball down court in the first half of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament game at Galen Center on March 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

The First Black NBA Player
Fact: Earl Lloyd was the first African American to play in an NBA game on October 31, 1950, for the Washington Capitols.

The First Black NBA Coach
Fact: Bill Russell, one of the NBA stars, became the first Black head coach in the NBA when he took over as player-coach of the Boston Celtics in 1966. He also won the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 1958 and went on to win it five times in total.

The First Black Woman to Play in the WNBA
Fact: Sheryl Swoopes was the first player signed to the WNBA, making her one of the pioneers of the league when it launched in 1996.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Scoring Record
Fact: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points, a record he held for decades.

The First Black Woman Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame
Fact: Ann Meyers Drysdale was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993, recognizing her outstanding career in women’s basketball.

Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-Point Game
Fact: Wilt Chamberlain set the NBA single-game scoring record by scoring 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962.

The First Black MVP
Fact: The first black player to wear a 49ers uniform and the first African-American MVP in league history is Joe “The Jet” Perry.

Michael Jordan’s Legacy
Fact: Michael Jordan is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, with six NBA championships and five MVP awards.

The First Black NBA All-Star Game MVP
Fact: Maurice Stokes was the first African American to be named NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1956.

Hakeem Olajuwon’s Dual Citizenship
Fact: Hakeem Olajuwon, originally from Nigeria, became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1993 and won two NBA championships with the Houston Rockets.

The First Black Woman to Coach in the NBA
Fact: In 2020, the Cleveland Cavaliers hired Lindsay Gottlieb, making her one of the first female assistant coaches in NBA history.

LeBron James’ Achievements
Fact: LeBron James is one of the most accomplished players in NBA history, with four NBA championships and four MVP awards.

The First Black Player in the SEC
Fact: Perry Wallace became the first African American to play varsity basketball in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) at Vanderbilt University in 1967.

The First Black Woman in the Harlem Globetrotters
Fact: Lynette Woodard became the first female member of the Harlem Globetrotters in 1985, breaking gender barriers in professional basketball.

Allen Iverson’s Influence on Culture
Fact: Allen Iverson, known for his impactful style and crossover dribble, influenced basketball culture and fashion, bringing hip-hop culture into the NBA mainstream.