Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court

On Race

Dad helped set my thinking in place on the issue of race. He told me and my brothers many times, “You’re just as good as anyone, but you’re no better than anybody.” Because of him I’m better than I might have been on many matters, even though I fall short of what I could and should be.

One of our players said to a reporter once, “Coach Wooden doesn’t see race. He’s just looking for players who will play together.” I’d have to say that gave me about as good a feeling as I could have.

My dad was a very wise man.