76ers' Coach Doc Rivers Highlights Black History During Team Training Camp

Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers takes a stand against racial injustice by supporting politicians who share his vision and advocating for social reform.

As reported by The Famous People, after being drafted by the NBA in 1983 and chosen by the Atlanta Hawks, he played for the team as a point guard for eight seasons before joining the Los Angeles Clippers for one year. From there, Rivers played for the New York Knicks from 1992 to 1994 until his playing career ended with the San Antonio Spurs in 1996.

During the team's recent basketball training camp, Rivers lends his expertise to enhance athletic skills and foster an appreciation for history. Practicing at The Citadel, a military college, the Sixers offers an opportunity to be educated in more than just sports. In addition, Rivers and the Sixers visited the Old Slave Mart Museum and the Avery Institute of Afro-American History and Culture. During the trip, the team met Citadel President Glenn Walters and retired professor and historian Bernard Powers.

With so many years of experience, becoming a coach seemed like an easy decision. He coached the Orlando Magic from 1999 to 2003. Later his coaching career expanded, and Rivers became the head coach for the Boston Celtics. Moving forward, he coached the Los Angeles Clippers from 2013 to 2020.

Now as the coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, he offers guidance on and off the court. Rivers is also an active member of the NBA Social Justice Coalition. According to the Associated Press, Rivers being a catalyst for change in the NBA helped pave the way for him to become an activist on issues beyond basketball, such as police brutality and stricter laws on firearms.

"Teaching American history is under assault right now. And it's not Black history or teaching about slavery, it's American history," Rivers said in an interview with the Associated Press. "I was amazed. The first thing that I was taught the other day was, how many players, and not only players, coaches, came up to me and said wow, I never was taught that in my history class."

Aside from recognizing the importance of history, Rivers hopes basketball players with high numbers of followers on social media will utilize their positive influence and speak about current societal problems. He also encourages his players to vote on November 8th.