“Thompson used college basketball as a ploy to instill strong awareness of the importance of being proud, respectful, change-oriented Black boys-turned-men. Once graduated from his stern will and influential ethos, they all slam-dunked the world on its axis, forever changing the universe and times in which they live.”

Georgetown men’s basketball coach John Thompson, who died this week at age 78, didn’t just create winning teams—he won by rearing responsible men.