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FACTS AND FIGURES

Race and players

• Black players have made up at least 75 percent of NBA roster spots every season since 1991-92.

• American-born white players are fighting extinction, their numbers reduced from 85 during the 1990-91 season to 48 in 2005-06. Only nine were regular starters last season.

International players

• On the other hand, the number of international players increased from 21 in 1990-91 to 82 in 2005-06; the international count has not topped that figure since.

Quote

• NBA Hall of Famer Tommy Heinsohn, broadcasting a Jazz-Celtics game in the mid-1980s when there were 10 white players on the floor late in the game: "You'll probably never see this again."