Born September 29, 1926, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Forward Chuck Cooper. In 1950, this legend was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 1950 NBA draft, becoming the first African-American player to be drafted by an NBA team. Cooper's rookie season with the Celtics was difficult. He was often subjected to racism and discrimination from fans and players alike. However, he persevered and played two seasons with the Celtics, averaging 6.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. After leaving the Celtics, Cooper played for the Milwaukee Hawks and the Fort Wayne Pistons. He retired from the NBA in 1956. Cooper's career was relatively short, but his impact on the NBA was significant. He paved the way for other African-American players to enter the league, and he helped to break down racial barriers in the sport.
Sports History
Chuck Cooper Breaking the NBA Racial BarrierChuck Cooper Basketball Star
Cooper's rookie season with the Celtics was difficult. He was often subjected to racism and discrimination from fans and players alike. However, he persevered and played two seasons with the Celtics, averaging 6.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
After leaving the Celtics, Cooper played for the Milwaukee Hawks and the Fort Wayne Pistons. He retired from the NBA in 1956.
Cooper's career was relatively short, but his impact on the NBA was significant. He paved the way for other African-American players to enter the league, and he helped to break down racial barriers in the sport.
May 2 Numbers
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 May 2, 1876 - Second baseman for the Chicago White Stockings, Ross Barnes hit the first home run in National League history...
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May 1 Numbers
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 - 23 - 1 - 4 May 1, 1884 - The Toledo Blue Stockings made history by signing catcher Moses Fleetwood Walker. It doesn't...
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April 30 Numbers
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 - 17 - 6 - 22 - 33 - 1 April 30, 1922 - Chicago White Sox pitcher Charlie Robertson, threw a perfect game as the...
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April 29 Numbers
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. 14 - 9 April 29, 1892 - Charlie Reilly of the Philadelphia Phillies becomes Major League Baseball's first pinch hitt...
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April 28 Numbers
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. 20 - 21 - 1 April 28, 1901 - Cleveland Blue's pitcher Bock Baker had a really bad day on the mound. The left hander gave&...
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Athletes have been using their positions and public stature to stand up for political and social justice beliefs quite a bit recently. Perhaps the era of the most frequency took place in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Author and historian Dr. Gregory J. Kaliss joins us to discuss this his...
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