JD_logo3.png

Don Barksdale A Pioneering Force Who Shattered Racial Barriers

Basketball Hall of Fame | Don Barksdale A Pioneering Force Who Shattered Racial Barriers
Page Blog Posts

Our Book is Out!
Who was the MOST DOMINANT team in Pro Football History? We have the answer in the latest Pigskin Dispatch book

The World's Greatest Pro Gridiron Team
Email:  pigskindispatch@gmail.com Phone/Text:  814-636-0745
Please note, that we include affiliate links to support the maintenance and development of this site and to help promote our guests and fellow sports historians. Your support is appreciated! _________________________
Please note, we may include affiliate links within this post to support the maintenance and development of this site.

Pigskin Dispatch
Your Portal to Positive Football History. We have an extensive library of posts and podcasts on the history of North American Football. From the innovators, teams, and coaches to legendary players, we cover them all with new items daily!

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Calling all Hoops fans! Prepare to step onto the hallowed court of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Over the next series of posts, we'll be honoring the elite few, the immortals who have carved their names into the very fabric of the sport.

These are the players – the sky-walking slam dunkers, the silky smooth shooters, the defensive titans – whose brilliance, dedication, and impact on the game have earned them a place among basketball royalty. The few legendary players of thousands that are held in such high esteem that they are forever remembered in the museum of basketball greats.

From the pioneers who laid the groundwork on dusty playgrounds to the modern marvels redefining the game on the global stage, the Hall of Fame boasts a pantheon of legends. We'll delve into their remarkable stories and bios.


Don Barksdale A Pioneering Force Who Shattered Racial Barriers

Don Barksdale wasn't just a hardcourt star but a trailblazer who shattered racial barriers throughout his basketball career. This post explores his accomplishments, highlighting his "firsts" that paved the way for future generations and his respectable playing career.

A College and Olympic Pioneer

Barksdale's journey began at UCLA, where he became the first African American player named a NCAA All-American in 1947. He made history again in 1948, becoming the first Black player selected for the U.S. Olympic basketball team and the first to win a gold medal.

Breaking Ground in the Pros

The NBA wasn't integrated until 1950, but Barksdale was ready. He joined the Baltimore Bullets as the third Black player to sign an NBA contract. He didn't waste any time making a splash, becoming one of the team's top scorers and earning a selection to the 1953 NBA All-Star Game, another historic first for a Black player.

A Respectable Playing Career

While not statistically dominant, Barksdale carved out a respectable seven-year career in the NBA. He played for the Baltimore Bullets and the Boston Celtics and is known for his smooth shooting touch and strong defense.

Don Barksdale was a pioneer as an African-American basketball star, the first man of color to make the US Olympic Basketball team. He played mostly forward at the pro hoops level with the Baltimore Bullets and the Boston Celtics. Barksdale is one of the top NBA players to have worn the Number 17 Jersey.

2024-05-11

May 11 Numbers

.hod_Eller_056.jpg

Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. May 11, 1897 - Washington Senators catcher Charles Duke Farrell threw out 8 Baltimore runners that attempted to steal a b...

  • The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!

 

2024-05-10

May 10 Numbers

.Hockey_game_in_Mountain_Park,_Alberta_(30438442326).jpg

Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 5 - 44 - 4 - 7 - 6 - 8 - 23 - 44 - 15 - 9 May 10, 1946 - Joe DiMaggio hit a Grand Slam to provide all of the offense for the ...

  • The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!

 

2024-05-09

May 9 Numbers

.640px-Earl_Moore.jpg

Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 4 - 5 -19  May 9, 1901 - Cleveland Blue's rookie pitcher, Earl Moore threw a no-hit ballgame for a full nine innings...

  • The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!

 

2024-05-08

May 8 Numbers

.Paul_Hines_baseball_card.jpg

Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 10 - 17 - 32 - 4 - 22 May 8, 1878 - Paul Hines made the very first recorded triple play in professional baseball as a member of th...

  • The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!

 

2024-05-08

William Saves the Day Again: A story of May 8 Red Sox Baseba...

.RedSox_HR_Hitters_1953.jpg

We love to share sports history with you each and every day. This gem of a story will give you not only a piece of baseball history from May 8, but it will also reward with learning about a great ball player from yesteryear.

  • The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!

 

2024-05-07

May 7 Numbers

.640px-GlennWrightGoudeycard.jpg

Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 3 - 51 - 34 May 7, 1917 - Babe Ruth was an outstanding hitter right? Well he was a pretty good pitcher too. On this day in history...

  • The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!

 

Remember Sports History Daily
You are only seconds away from receiving the Pigpen's Newsletter everyday filled with new items

[/br]SUBSCRIBE BY CLICKING  

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
We invite you to take a ride through 1920's sports history in the audio drama that takes the listener through the sounds and legendary events of the era through the eyes of a young newspaper journalist. You will feel like you were there! Brought to you by Number 80 Productions and Pigskin Dispatch
Please note, that we include affiliate links to support the maintenance and development of this site and to help promote our guests and fellow sports historians. Your support is appreciated! _________________________

Bears versus Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry
Author Joe Ziemba the master historian of football in Chicago has released another beauty. It is titled Bears versus Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry. _________________________

Hut! Hut! Hike! Book
Historian Timothy P. Brown has released another excellent book to help fill our football minds with knowledge. His latest is called Hut! Hut! Hike!: A History of Football Terminology.

[/br]more information _________________________

Posts on "Search"

GROUPS: PUBLICSITEGROUP