Why are there so few White American NBA/NFL players?

[Anonymous]

After following the NBA and NFL I've noticed there are very few white Americans on most teams especially the NBA , and if there are white players they're usually eastern European or Australian.

What would be the main reasons for this? I know Black people are very good athletes and suited to these sports, but surely that can't be the only reason? Do most white Americans not really care about playing these sports?

And no this isn't a racial question , I'm just wondering.

[MrOracle]

Basketball has become part of black culture, and I think in large part because black kids growing up in cities often didn't have access to parks and grass within walking distance, but a basketball court is relatively small and made of cement and very low maintenance, so they tended to be everywhere, and widespread availability made it the go-to sport (even among white kids who lived in the city, for the same reasons).

Over time, the presence of black athletes when other sports were mostly white increased the stature of basketball in the black communities, which further motivated the kids to play, which put more blacks in the NBA, which further increased its status, etc.

It also helps that a lot of blacks tend to be lean-but-muscular, which is ideal for the NBA. You need strength and height, but you can't be too heavy or you won't be able to move well or jump high.

[Dawn_Is_the_Enemy]

In a physical and genetical stand point. Afro Americans are suited for it. Not to sound racist in any way but. When the slave trade was still going on. People would make the bigger, stronger Africans copulate.
Same thing with Australians (aboriginals), they share many genetic traits with Africans.

[Asker]

True that's not racist.

[ihatethiswebsite]

It's not racist if it's true

[PrettyBama]

black kids literally start playing basketball and football at the earliest age possible... all my white friends went to baseball (and they dip. i love dippers lol) and all my black friends did football or basketball growing up.

[Asker]

What does dippers mean? Lol.

[PrettyBama]

They dip tobacco. Lol put it in their mouths instead of smoking it.

[Asker]

Lol you love dippers? Is that what baseball players are chewing on tv? I always thought it was just gum rofl.

[PrettyBama]

Lol most baseball players dip but I think the league is trying to set a good example for the younger players so they encourage pros to chew gum now lol so it's probably him you're seeing

[PrettyBama]

It's probably gum* you're seeing

[Asker]

Oh true just boring gum, do you dip? Lol.

[PrettyBama]

No! Girls don't dip! LOL!!! The only female dippers I know are like 60 and their tired of fuckin up their lungs.

[Asker]

Ewwwwwwwwwwwww

[PrettyBama]

Yeah lol

[pr3ttybr0wn]

i think white guys prefer baseball, football and other sports. even on the hs sports teams i don't see many white boys playing unless its at an all white school

[Asker]

In schools which have a mix population would most the main basketball team be of black players?

[pr3ttybr0wn]

mainly black. I don't think white guys prefer basketball. I don't even see grown white men playing ball at the gym or at a park but I will see black men doing it. I think its partly interest, culture and the fact that black people seem to be taller on avg

[Desiderata]

www.nytimes.com/books/first/e/entine-taboo.html maybe this will help.

[Desiderata]

www.popularsocialscience.com/.../ (: this too.

[Asker]

Thanks I will give it a read later after these comments :)

[Macklin91]

Basketball particularity is just a more black dominated sport. Not only that, but as a black guy growing up we already have a early access to basketball courts so they're more in-tuned to hone their skills and become better at it. When combing this with any God given talent they have you have superstar players. Its either football or basketball when it comes to sports, you don't generally see baseball or soccer program opportunities in urban areas like basketball or football.

[Asker]

Do most African Americans give bball a go? Or spend time at the courts at a young age?

[Macklin91]

Not everyone can play professionally or purse it as a career. Me, my brother, and cousin all played ball growing up, but never really looked at it as something we wanted to do for the rest of our lives. I hate to categorize anyone like that but in more urban areas, you do tend to see blacks around courts more times than not. But I also think the fact that you see stars like a Durant, Lebron, or Kobe on TV tend to have an impression on youths.

[Asker]

True I guess those players would be like role models, do many white people hang around at the courts? Or do they tend to just play for club, school?

[Macklin91]

I can't really say. I hate to speak on something I'm not too knowledgeable of. Its not that I don't want to offend anyone, I just simply don't know. What I do know is that even though Jerry West, Larry Bird, and other legendary white basketball players are great, everyone wants to be Jordan or Lebron since players like them are more glorified and well known to those who don't actually follow the nba.

[Asker]

That's all good , you haven't offended anyone, thanks for your help.

[MyUsernameRules]

Blacks dominate NBA but not necessarily NFL. The most important and respected position in NFL, Quarterback, are mostly dominated by white guys and pretty much all the Kickers and Punters are white. When you think of the best players in the NFL, people usually think of Manning, Brady, Rodgers, and Brees (besides Megatron and AP) and they are white. But yeah, majority of the players are black players and it's mainly because of their explosiveness and athleticism.

[Asker]

If you took out Quarterbacks , offensive lineman , tight ends the numbers would go down quite a bit, and I don't count kickers as players lol.

[ihatethiswebsite]

The defense of the nfl is dominated by black guys

[rthomas43]

It is 100% a racial question, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Blacks are more explosive.
Quicker in terms of running and can jump much higher. It's science.

[Asker]

I meant racist* , I realise that but eastern Europeans have pretty similar genes to white Americans and there are plenty if them playing.

[rthomas43]

A lot of Europeans in the NFL and the NBA?

[Asker]

In the NBA yeah there quite a few I haven't looked at any numbers , but over the last 15 years there have been quite a few.

[rthomas43]

Because the top players from leagues in their respective countries come and play over here because the NBA is the best basketball league in the world.

[maiez]

because black athletes are taller and have some more prehistoric features making them stronger. can't resist: because their knee grows.

[PhiOmega]

Europeans come here to play because it can pay for school n if they go professional is good money, I feel those who can tho prefer a non athletic career that can be much safer economically

[Ghost285]

Not enough god giving ability