With Black History Month in full swing, it’s important to remember the impact of Black culture in the world and of course, basketball.
How it Started
In 1898, the first professional basketball league began in New Jersey, but it wasn’t until 1902 that the very first African American, Harry Haskell Lew, played in the New England Basketball League. Lowell’s Pawtucket Athletic Club recruited him after pressure from local news, but it wasn’t until after a series of injuries to other players that brought him out on the court.
The National Basketball League was founded in 1937, Bill Jones was one of the first Black Americans to play for the NBL and is considered a pioneer in integration in basketball. Segregation forced Black players to develop a unique and innovative game, to capture the attention of the world using their black excellence and athleticism.
In August 1949, the National Basketball Association was created with the merger of the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League. The first African American basketball players emerged in the 50s after starting their basketball careers at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Black Americans in the NBA
Chuck Cooper of the Boston Celtics was the first pick in the second round of drafts in April 1950, making Cooper the first African American drafted in the NBA.
Earl Francis Lloyd became the first Black athlete to play in an NBA game in October 1950 with the Washington Capitols. He continued his basketball career as a full-time coach for the Detroit Pistons in 1970.
Don Barksdale broke barriers as an African American to be the first member of the U.S. Olympic team and win a gold medal in 1948. Later Barksdale became the first African American to play for the NBA All-Star team in 1953.
When Red Auerbach retired from the Boston Celtics, Bill Russell took his place, becoming the first Black coach for the NBA in 1966. Russell entered the Naismith Hall of Fame as a coach in 2021, 46 years after entering the Hall as a player.
After the 2020 George Floyd murder, the league tried to support Black communities being oppressed by American Law Enforcement. Especially from the Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban who said not playing the national anthem at the team’s home game was the product of ongoing conversations with community members who felt the tradition “did not fully represent them.” In response, the NBA reiterated its long-standing policy that “all teams will play the national anthem.”
Fast forward to today, the NBA celebrates Black History Month and the importance of Black history. Throughout the month the NBA will showcase 280 Black-owned restaurants in every city where an NBA team plays.
Supporting Black-owned businesses helps address the racial wealth gap, strengthen local economies, and build careers.
The NBA also had a handful of players and coaches speak on the importance of Black History Month and why it will always exist.
Jacque Vaughn, coach for the Brooklyn Nets said
“It’s American history, I think that’s the biggest thing, there needs to be an understanding of what has happened in the past, knowing the truth, there’s an importance to that as we move on as a civil society.”
Karl-Anthony Towns from the New York Knicks mentions the importance by saying
“ Because America was built by slaves. It was built by African Americans, who were brought here… And it’s right to appreciate, at least as a man of color, our ancestors who have given us and paved the way for us to be in this position as men of color, as women of color.”
From the Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis gave a simple but powerful message in his video saying
“I’m proud to be a Black man, I’m proud to be a Black American and continue to help our people.”
For more of my work and basketball content
For more about me follow my Instagram at Aubreytphotography and for more basketball-related content click this link!
