Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla refused to take the easy layup when faced with a question about being a Black head coach in the NBA Finals, instead turning the focus from race to faith.

During a Saturday press conference, Mazzulla was asked to comment about having two Black head coaches in the basketball finals for the first time since 1975. Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd is also Black.

“Given the plight sometimes of Black head coaches in the NBA, do you think this is a significant moment? Do you take pride in this? How do you view this, or do you not see it at all?” asked Yahoo Sports senior reporter Vincent Goodwill.

A devout Catholic, Mazzulla responded: “I wonder how many of those have been Christian coaches.”

Clearly, Mazzulla is more interested in the content of one’s character as opposed to the color of one’s skin.

His answer appeared to confound the press corps — the room went silent for several seconds — but delighted the faithful as the video clip made the rounds on social media.

Sports commentator T.J. Moe said: “This dude is now my favorite coach in all of sports. Instead of taking the bait to talk about race senselessly over and over, he shifted the conversation to values.”

Here’s Mazzulla responding to a quest about the “royal family” sitting courtside Like. A. Boss.