Why are there so few White Americans in the NBA?

Question

(This is open only to intelligent discussions/explanations, and NOT for racially insensitive comments.)

Statistically, the US is comprised of 73.9% White citizens. The NBA is located in the US and is composed mostly of US citizens. However, we notice that the percentage of White Americans in the NBA is only 6%, compared to 75% African Americans & 19% foreigners.

Why this obvious and very noticeable discrepancy - 73.9% of White Americans comprise only 6% of the NBA?

Perhaps we should traces the levels basketball skill development. There proportion of White children that play at an early age seems representative of the US population. The proportion of Whites playing in high school seems representative also. However, in college the proportions seems to disfavor Whites and begin favoring African Americans. Beyond college the proportion heavily disfavors White Americans, where African Americans and foreigners are disproportionately greater compared to the US population.
Why is this?

Fact: Biological differences DO EXIST between different ethnic and racial groups (e.g., sickle cell anemia prevalence, Tay-Sachs disease). Whether biological differences play a role in athletics has been the subject of several debates. With that being said, keep discussing...

Also, a lot, and I mean a lot of White Americans would love to play college and pro basketball.

Answer 1

I think that the management of the team actually tries to choose the most successful players to keep on the team.

I know there are good players that come from many races.

I believe that there is a natural something in some races that the white people just do not have. some do but not many.

And there is nothing you can do about it.

Answer 2

Because professional sports is one of the ways out of the ghetto. We like to pretend that "everything's equal now" but that just isn't real life. Millions of black kids practice and practice and do NOTHING but dream about a basketball career. Unfortunately that includes doing schoolwork.

Nothing about any "natural ability" or any fake stuff like that.

I know a kid who graduated high school with straight "A's" last year. He's six foot seven. He was a basketball star in high school, and was approached by professional scouts. He's white. His parents have a successful business.

He's in college now, studying to be a doctor. If he was black, and/or poor, I'd bet you dollars to donuts he'd be in the NBA. But his circumstances gave him a different option. So he took it.

How often do you hear about Jewish or Italian boxers in the U.S. these days? Not that often. But not that many years ago there were many - it was a way out of the ghetto for THEM. But as racist stereotypes and barriers in society come down, other ways open up. And given a CHOICE, most people would MUCH rather be professionals, not professional gladiators.

It's just that most have no choice. They know from an early age - if they don't become a sports or a music star, they're gonna be flipping burgers or hanging out on the streetcorner selling drugs.

It's a matter of opportunities.

Never go with a "biological difference between races" explanation when a SOCIAL difference will do. Because in spite of our prejudices, biologically speaking, there just aren't many differences.

"Race" isn't really a biological category - it's a social and political category.

EDIT

READ what I said, and look closely at those "differences."

THEY ARE MINOR.

WAY less than the differences between a dachshound and a St. Bernard.

"Race" is a political category, not a biological one. Otherwise we'd consider blacks with sickle-cell a different "race" than blacks without, or eastern European Jews with Tay-Sachs a different "race" than eastern European Jews without it.

The whole concept of "race," by and large, is a scam.

Answer 3

I have to disagree with RedSand on this one. Black kids are more capable than finding success in more fields than entertainment and sports. Black kids don't practice basketball for a reason out of the ghetto. However, while in the ghetto, basketball is a popular past time and it grows into a passion in some individuals. If Basketball is a passion, and millions of dollars are offered to an individual to do something they enjoy, its a no brainer. that is probably why your friend chose education over basketball...because he wasn't passionate about playing. I do know a professional basketball player now making millions that also obtained a Masters in Biology. To each is own i guess. But black kids in the ghetto aren't raised just wanting to be athletes or stars.

Answer 4

Because apparently White men cant jump

Answer 5

Because black athletes have been proven to have more "fast twitch" fibers, which allow for more speed and explosive movements.

Answer 6

White men CAN'T JUMP!!