Bob Presley

Robert Nathaniel Presley (April 30, 1946 – March 25, 1975) was an American professional basketball player.

Presley was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He attended three high schools in Detroit and struggled academically despite having potential as a basketball player. Presley was sent to California where he benefitted from alleviated academic standards and graduated from high school. He became eligible to attend Mt. San Jacinto College where he starred on the basketball team as a sophomore. Presley transferred to play for the California Golden Bears from 1967 to 1969. His suspension and subsequent reinstatement in 1968 sparked racial tension on the team and resulted in the resignations of head coach Rene Herrerias and athletic director Pete Newell. Presley was expected to start his professional career with the Denver Rockets of the American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1969 but quit the team before appearing in a game. He played in the Philippines, Belgium and the American semi-professional Western Basketball Association (WBA).

Presley's personal life was marked by turmoil and poverty. He struggled to make an adequate income from his basketball career and failed in other business ventures. After experiencing several mental breakdowns in his pursuit for a successful basketball career, Presley drowned himself in the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon.