The NBA is filling seven of its eight head coach openings this offseason with Black coaches to bring the total number to 13, improving upon the seven that started the 20-21 season.

During the 12-13 season, a league-record 14 head coaches were Black. At the start of the 20-21 season, there were only seven Black head coaches. 

“I am encouraged by the recent progress,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said to The Undefeated. “And, while we’re moving in the right direction, we must continue to work at it through programs like the Coaches Equality Initiative and by ensuring that our teams are looking at a broad and diverse pipeline of talent.”

Nate McMillan, Ime Udoka, Jason Kidd, Jamahl Mosley, Willie Green, Chauncey Billups and Wes Unseld Jr. were hired during this cycle.

“It’s a nod to a long list of intelligent, talented and qualified leaders of men who happen to be Black but who weren’t hired simply because they were Black,” J.B. Bickerstaff told The Undefeated. “Instead they were hired based on their intelligence and skills.”