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flag In 1966, Texas Western became the first college basketball team with five Black starters to win the NCAA title, defeating Kentucky 72-65.

flag On March 19, 1966, the Texas Western Miners, led by coach Don Haskins, won the NCAA basketball championship with five African-American starters—Bobby Joe Hill, Orsten Artis, Willie Worsley, Harry Flournoy, and David Lattin—becoming the first team to do so in a national title game. flag They defeated the heavily favored, all-white University of Kentucky Wildcats 72-65, finishing the season 28-1. flag Though Haskins said he started his best players regardless of race, the victory became a landmark in sports and civil rights, accelerating the integration of college basketball in the South. flag Major conferences began recruiting Black athletes within two years. flag Despite their historic achievement, the team received no traditional post-championship honors. flag Their legacy was later recognized with a 2007 Hall of Fame induction and the 2006 film *Glory Road*, and President Barack Obama praised their role in advancing civil rights.

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