What percentage of NBA players are black? Exploring a league dominated by African-American athletes

The NBA has been dominated by black players since the 1990s. According to statistica.com, the league has 71.8% African-American athletes. This is followed by Caucasians at 17.4%.

Players of Hispanic descent take up only 2.4% of the NBA's population while Asian players only make up 0.2%.

Some of the most successful players, both in the past and in recent years, are Black. The likes of LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Joel Embiid are the faces of their respective teams.

Curry became the highest-paid player in the NBA last season. The All-Star guard earned $48 million from his four-year $215 million deal that he signed in 2021.

You might also be interested in reading this: First 5 Black players to make an impact in the NBA, featuring Earl Lloyd, Chuck Cooper, and more

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Almost half of the league is made up of``` black head coaches

Denver Nuggets v Phoenix Suns - Game Three

Teams in the NBA cannot function well without the help of great head coaches. Over the years, the importance of head coaches and their contributions to organizations has received greater recognition. Over a year ago, history was made when half of the league featured black head coaches.

The teams that have coaches who are of African-American descent are the Washington Wizards, the Sacramento Kings, the Portland Trail Blazers, the New Orleans Pelicans, the Milwaukee Bucks, the LA Clippers and Lakers, the Houston Rockets, the Detroit Pistons, the Brooklyn Nets, and the Boston Celtics.

Monty Williams, the Pistons' head coach, is of African-American descent and recently made history by becoming the highest-paid head coach in the league. He signed a six-year $78.5 million deal with the Pistons. This came after he was fired by the Phoenix Suns following their second-round exit.

Williams will earn around $13.08 million per year with his new deal. The Pistons also added travel and healthcare benefits for the head coach's wife, who was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Some of the most notable black head coaches over the years are Bill Russell, KC Jones, and Tyronn Lue. Russell made history in the NBA when he became the first black head coach in 1966.