John McClendon
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John McClendon was a college basketball coach who, despite the respect he earned for his ability, is relatively little-known because he coached at predominantly black colleges and universities during the era of segregation. He began his career playing college ball at the University of Kansas, and coached at North Carolina Central University (then North Carolina College) and Tennessee State University.
He was an assistant coach on the Gold Medal 1968 Olympic Team, that featured Spencer Heywood. Following the Olympics, he became the first black coach in the ABA when he was named head coach of the Denver Rockets in 1969-70. Known for his strong belief in conditioning, he cut several players who arrived in Denver in poor condition. When the team started slowly that season, and McClendon had several issues with players, he was replaced only a few weeks into the season.
He is credited with inventing the half-court press, the four corners offense, and even the fast break, which he used to great effect to blow out Duke in a secret game played in the 1940s.
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