Douglas, Robert L (1882–1979)

West Indian-born US basketball coach and promoter. He organized the Renaissance Five, a basketball team composed entirely of black Americans. He was legendary for his integrity and leadership and was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971.

He was born in St Kitts, British West Indies. The Renaissance Five became known as ‘the Rens’ and, although the team was based in New York City, they spent most of the time on the road where they had to endure racial discrimination and outright antagonism. The formation of ‘the Rens’ inspired the formation of other all-black teams, including the Harlem Globetrotters. The team gradually became one of the most successful teams ever, winning 2,318 games in their 22 years and taking the first World Tournament in Chicago in 1939.