John McLendon
Basketball
Inducted: 1994
- Born in Hiawatha, KS, 1915
- Graduate of Kansas, where he studied basketball with James Naismith, its inventor
- Coached at North Carolina College (now North Carolina Central) from 1940–1952
- Winner of four CIAA titles
- Coached Tennessee A&I State University to 1957, 1958, and 1959 NAIA national titles
- Coached at Hampton Institute
- Career collegiate coaching record of 523-162
- Named CIAA Coach of the Year in 1948
- Honored as NAIA Coach of the Year in 1958
- Coached ABL Cleveland Pipers in 1962 and ABA Denver Rockets from 1969–1970
- First African American head coach in major sports league
- Pioneer in fast break and four corners
- Author of books on basketball strategy
- Member Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, NAIA Hall of Fame, and CIAA Hall of Fame
- Died in 1999
