Ayrton Oneill
The Harlem Rens, also known as the Renaissance Big Five, were the first all-Black professional basketball team. They were founded in 1922 by Robert L. Douglas, a native of St. Kitts, and named for their home court, the Renaissance Casino Ballroom in Harlem, New York. The team was an immediate success, both artistically and financially, and played a quick passing attack style of basketball. In 1939, the Harlem Rens became the first all-Black team to win a World Championship. The Harlem Rens were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1963.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Harlem Renaissance Big Five, New York Rens, Renaissance Big Five |
| Year founded | 1922 or 1923 |
| Founder | Robert L. Douglas |
| Year of first World Championship win | 1939 |
| Year inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame | 1963 |
| Number of players enshrined individually | 7 |
| Number of players enshrined as a team | 5 |
| Names of players enshrined individually | Charles "Tarzan" Cooper, William "Pop" Gates, Nat Clifton, John "Boy Wonder" Isaacs, Zachary "Zack" Clayton, Clarence "Fats" Jenkins, Wyatt "Sonny" Boswell |
| Names of players enshrined as a team | Clarence (Pat) Jenkins, Bill Yancey, John Holt, James (Pappy) Ricks, Eyre Saith/Saitch |
| Other names considered for individual enshrinement | Willie "Wee Willie" Smith, William "Dolly" King, Clarence "Puggy" Bell |
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What You'll Learn
Harlem Rens: The first all-Black pro basketball team
The Harlem Rens, also known as the New York Renaissance, were the first all-Black professional basketball team. The team was founded by Robert L. Douglas, a native of the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, in 1922 or 1923. Douglas was a former professional basketball player with the New York Spartans and had previously owned and managed an African American basketball team called the Spartan Braves.
The Harlem Rens got their name from their home court, the Renaissance Casino Ballroom in Harlem, New York. The team was formed in October 1923 and played its first game on November 3, 1923, winning 28-22 against the Collegiate Five, an all-white team. The Rens became one of the dominant teams of the 1920s and 1930s, adding grace and style to the game of American basketball. They attracted the best African-American talent in basketball and were known for their flashy, quick passing attack, with players seldom dribbling.
The Harlem Rens routinely beat championship-caliber white basketball teams, despite playing in a time when professional basketball was still segregated and the leagues did not allow African American players or teams to join. In 1939, the Rens won the inaugural World Championship of Professional Basketball, an invitation-only tournament with a field made up of America's twelve best pro hoops teams. They defeated the Oshkosh All-Stars, who had been the champions of the National Basketball League, a whites-only league.
The Harlem Rens were inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a team in 1963. Additionally, several individual players and contributors associated with the team have been enshrined in the Hall of Fame, including Charles "Tarzan" Cooper, William "Pop" Gates, Nat Clifton, John "Boy Wonder" Isaacs, Zachary "Zack" Clayton, Clarence "Fats" Jenkins, and Wyatt "Sonny" Boswell. Robert "Bob" Douglas, the owner and coach of the Rens, was inducted as a contributor in 1972.
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Harlem Rens' road to the Basketball Hall of Fame
The Harlem Rens, also known as the New York Renaissance, Renaissance Big Five, and the Rens, were the first black-owned, all-black, fully professional basketball team in history. They were established in 1922 or 1923 by Robert "Bob" Douglas, a former professional basketball player, in Harlem, New York.
The Rens were one of the dominant basketball teams of the 1920s and 1930s. They played their first game on November 3, 1923, winning against the Collegiate Five, an all-white team. Interracial games featured regularly on their schedule, drawing the largest crowds. In its first years, the team strived to beat the Original Celtics, the dominant white team of the time, and claim the title of world champions. In their fifth encounter, the Rens did so for the first time, on December 20, 1925, winning 37-30.
During the 1932-33 regular season, the Rens compiled a record of 120-8. They also won 88 consecutive games during that season, a mark that has never been matched by a professional basketball team. In 1939, the Rens won the first professional basketball championship, when they beat the Oshkosh All-Stars, a white team, 34-25, in the World Professional Basketball Tournament in Chicago. The team compiled a 2,588-529 record from 1923 to 1948.
The Rens were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1963 in recognition of their 88-game winning streak in the 1932-33 season. They were the first all-black team to be inducted. Seven former Rens players have also been inducted individually: Tarzan Cooper, Pop Gates, Nat Clifton, John Isaacs, Zack Clayton, Fats Jenkins, and Sonny Boswell. Bob Douglas was inducted as a contributor in 1972, becoming the first African-American honoree. Tarzan Cooper was inducted again in 1976 as an individual player, only the third black man to be so honoured.
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Harlem Rens' founder Robert L. Douglas
Robert L. Douglas, also known as Bob Douglas, was the founder of the Harlem Rens, one of the most successful African-American professional basketball teams of the 1920s and 1930s. Douglas was born in the Caribbean island of St. Kitts and was a former professional basketball player with the New York Spartans. He founded the Harlem Rens in 1922 or 1923, naming them after their home court, the Renaissance Casino Ballroom in Harlem, New York.
Douglas owned and coached the Rens from 1923 to 1949, guiding them to a remarkable 2,318-381 record. The team was known for their flashy, quick passing attack, and their players seldom dribbled. The Rens were a dominant force in basketball, winning up to 88 consecutive games during the 1932-33 season and routinely beating top-level white basketball teams. They were the first all-Black professional basketball team to win a World Championship in 1939, defeating the Harlem Globetrotters in Chicago.
Despite the success of the Harlem Rens, Douglas and his team faced significant challenges due to racism and racial discrimination prevalent at the time. They were barred from many hotels and restaurants by Jim Crow laws and norms, and Douglas, as a Black man, was not allowed to own a major sports franchise. Nevertheless, he showed courage in keeping the team together while also managing his club.
In recognition of his contributions to basketball, Robert L. Douglas was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor in 1971 or 1972. He was the first African American to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. The Robert-L. Douglas Basketball League, a summer pro league in New York, is named in his honour.
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Harlem Rens' players in the Hall of Fame
The Harlem Rens, also known as the Renaissance Big Five, were the premier African-American professional basketball team of the 1930s. They were founded by Robert L. Douglas in 1922 and played their home games at the Renaissance Casino Ballroom in Harlem, New York. The Harlem Rens are known for their quick passing style of play and their ability to beat championship-caliber white basketball teams despite playing in a period of racial segregation.
The Harlem Rens were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a team in 1963. Only two players from the team, Charles "Tarzan" Cooper and William "Pop" Gates, were inducted into the Hall of Fame individually prior to 2009. Since then, a special committee has been formed to address this discrepancy, and five additional Rens players have been enshrined: Nat Clifton, John "Boy Wonder" Isaacs, Zachary "Zack" Clayton, Clarence "Fats" Jenkins, and Wyatt "Sonny" Boswell.
In addition to the players inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame, several other Rens players have been enshrined in other basketball halls of fame. Clarence "Puggy" Bell and Zach Clayton are enshrined in the New York City and Philadelphia Basketball Halls of Fame, respectively, while William "Dolly" King is enshrined in the Long Island University Sports Hall of Fame.
The Harlem Rens' owner, Robert "Bob" Douglas, was also inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame as a contributor in 1972. Douglas is credited with keeping the team afloat during the Great Depression and challenging the racial segregation policies of the time. The Harlem Rens' success and impact on the game of basketball are well-recognized, and their legacy continues to inspire and honour the pre-NBA history of African Americans in the sport.
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Harlem Rens' 88-game winning streak
The Harlem Rens, also known as the Renaissance Big Five, were the first all-Black pro basketball team to win a World Championship in 1939. They were founded in 1922 by Robert L. Douglas, a former professional basketball player, and were named after their home court, the Renaissance Casino Ballroom in Harlem, New York. The Rens were the premier African-American professional basketball team of the 1930s and played in a unique style with flashy, quick passing attacks, seldom dribbling. They were so good that coaches would bring their staff to watch them play and learn from them.
The Rens had to overcome many obstacles during their travels, as America was segregated at the time. They faced difficulties in finding accommodation, food, and even getting gas for their custom-bought bus. Despite these challenges, the Rens were a dominant force in basketball, winning more than 2,000 games.
One of their most impressive feats was an 88-game winning streak over 86 days in the 1932-33 season. This remarkable run is the longest in professional basketball history and was achieved during a season where the Rens compiled a 120-8 record. Six of those losses came against the Original Celtics, the dominant white team of the time, whom the Rens managed to beat eight times.
The Harlem Rens' 88-game winning streak was so impressive that it led to their induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1963. The team is also enshrined in the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame. The Rens' legacy is one of resilience, talent, and a passion for the game, paving the way for future generations of basketball players.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Harlem Rens, also known as the New York Renaissance, were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1963.
The Harlem Rens were founded by Robert L. Douglas, a native of St. Kitts, in 1922 or 1923. The team included players such as Charles "Tarzan" Cooper, William "Pop" Gates, Nat Clifton, John "Boy Wonder" Isaacs, Zachary "Zack" Clayton, Clarence "Fats" Jenkins, and Wyatt "Sonny" Boswell.
The Harlem Rens were the first all-Black pro basketball team to win a World Championship in 1939. They were also the first black-owned, all-Black, fully professional basketball team in history. The Rens were noted for their flashy, quick passing attack, and players seldom dribbled.
