Most of the black trailblazers played for the Harlem Globetrotters and the New York Renaissance (Rens) who appeared as an opening act at white professional basketball games including NBA games to increase their revenue. The Rens was established in 1923 by Robert L. Douglas, the "godfather of black basketball" as a black professional basketball association. The Harlem Globetrotters was foundeded in 1926 by Abe Saperstien as an entertaining black basketball organization.
Harold Hunter
First black to sign a training camp contract with a NBA team
Picked in the tenth round by the Washington Capitols
First black to sign a training camp contract with a NBA team
Picked in the tenth round by the Washington Capitols
Earl Lloyd
First black to actually play in the NBA for the Washington Capitols
Drafted in the ninth round by Bob Feerick
First black to actually play in the NBA for the Washington Capitols
Drafted in the ninth round by Bob Feerick
Charles "Chuck" Cooper
First black player to be drafted by the NBA in 1950 for the Boston Celtics
Selected by Walter Brown in the second round
First black player to be drafted by the NBA in 1950 for the Boston Celtics
Selected by Walter Brown in the second round
Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton
First black player to sign a NBA contract
He was sold to the New York Knickerbockers by Abe Saperstien in 1950
First black player to sign a NBA contract
He was sold to the New York Knickerbockers by Abe Saperstien in 1950