John Thompson, who made history as the first black coach to win a US national college basketball championship when he led Georgetown to the title in 1984, has died, his family said Monday. He was 78.

Thompson, who played a pioneering role in advancing black coaches, also helped develop the careers of several NBA stars including current Georgetown coach Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo and Allen Iverson.

Iverson, an 11-time All-Star, was among those who paid tribute to Thompson on Monday.