Ayrton Oneill
The history of basketball is one that has been racially segregated. Following the invention of basketball in 1891, the sport was introduced to African Americans on a wide-scale organized basis in 1904, marking the start of the Black Fives Era. During this time, dozens of all-black basketball teams emerged, playing in church basements, armories, meeting halls, and dance ballrooms. These teams, known as colored quints, Negro cagers, or black fives, faced significant financial challenges and difficulties securing venues for games. The Black Fives Era produced notable NBA players and played a crucial role in breaking down racial barriers in American sports during the early 20th century. The era came to an end in the late 1940s with the gradual integration of white professional basketball leagues, and in 1950, the NBA signed its first African American players.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time Period | 1904-1950 |
| Teams | The Alphas, the Savoy Big Five, the Second Story Morrys, Spartan Girls Club, Harlem Globetrotters, Rens, Original Celtics, Buffalo Germans, Washington Bears, Oshkosh All-Stars, New York Renaissance, Smart Set Athletic Club, St. Christopher Club, New York Incorporators, Morehouse College, Wilberforce University, Tuskegee Institute, Clark University, Atlanta University, Morris Brown College, Shaw University, Lincoln University (PA), Hampton Institute, Hampton University (VA), Lincoln University (PA), Wilberforce University (OH), Virginia Union |
| Notable Figures | Claude Johnson, Rob Ruck, Edwin "Teddy" Horne, John Isaacs, Lester Walton, Stephen Edidin, Edwin Henderson, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, KC Jones, Hal Perry, George Ireland, Clem Haskins, Dwight Smith, Don Haskins, Wat Misaka, Butch Lee, Wang Zhizhi, Jeremy Lin, Larry Bird, Robert Johnson, Michael Jordan, Vivek Ranadivé |
| Venues | Church basements, armories, meeting halls, dance ballrooms, YMCAs, basketball courts, parks, playgrounds, Harvard University, Howard University, Atlanta Municipal Auditorium, New-York Historical Society, Barclays Center |
| Artifacts | Photographs, ticket stubs, laced balls, footwear, basketballs, shoes, uniforms, flyers |
| Challenges | Racism, racial tension, limited resources, lack of sponsorship opportunities, difficulties securing venues, segregation |
| Impact | Built community, celebrated culture, created wealth, broke down racial barriers, nurtured and popularized basketball, contributed to basketball and the nation |
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What You'll Learn
History of the Black Fives
The history of the Black Fives is a significant chapter in the story of basketball and the fight for racial equality in American sports. The term "Black Fives" refers to the all-Black basketball teams that existed in the United States between 1904 and 1950. The era began when basketball was first introduced to African Americans on a wide-scale, organized basis, and it ended when the National Basketball Association (NBA) became racially integrated in 1950.
The Black Fives Era was marked by the formation of these teams due to African Americans' exclusion from mainstream leagues. The teams played a crucial role in breaking down racial barriers in sports during the early 20th century. They were often known as "colored quints," "Negro cagers," or "black fives." The first independent African American basketball team was the Smart Set Athletic Club of Brooklyn, formed in 1907. They won the first "Colored Basketball World's Championship," a title coined by African American sportswriters to honor the best all-black basketball team.
During the Black Fives Era, dozens of all-Black teams emerged, flourished, and excelled in cities like New York, Washington, Chicago, and Philadelphia. They were sponsored by or affiliated with churches, athletic clubs, social clubs, businesses, newspapers, and other organizations. The teams played in church basements, armories, meeting halls, and dance ballrooms, often accompanied by music and dance. The games were bonafide events that celebrated culture and built community.
The Black Fives Era produced notable NBA players who contributed to African American history, such as Jackie Robinson, who played for the Los Angeles Red Devils, and John Isaacs, who played with the Rens from 1936 to 1940. The Rens, the Harlem Globetrotters, and the Washington Bears were among the African American teams that won the World's Pro Basketball Championships held in Chicago from 1939 to 1948. The Black Fives Era began to come to an end in the late 1940s with the gradual integration of white professional basketball leagues, such as the National Basketball League.
The history of the Black Fives has largely flown under the radar, but efforts are now being made to bring it to light. The Black Fives Foundation, founded in 2013, is dedicated to researching, preserving, and honoring the pre-NBA history of African Americans in basketball. The foundation has entered partnerships to support Black history education reform and connect the current generation to the past through the legacy of Black basketball.
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The Black Fives Foundation
The term "Black Fives" refers to the all-Black basketball teams that existed in the United States between 1904, when basketball was first introduced to African Americans on a wide-scale organised basis, and 1950, when the NBA signed its first Black players. The Black Fives Era produced notable NBA players who contributed to African-American history, and these teams played a crucial role in breaking down racial barriers in American sports during the early 20th century. During this era, dozens of all-Black teams emerged, sponsored by churches, athletic and social clubs, "Colored" YMCAs, businesses, and newspapers. They played in church basements, armories, meeting halls, and dance ballrooms, and these events often involved music and dance during the age of jazz.
The foundation has also worked to recognise the contributions of female Black basketball pioneers. In 2025, they introduced a new all-female version of their logo, featuring five female players inspired by historical African American women's basketball imagery from the Black Fives Archives. This new logo marks a milestone in the foundation's mission to reshape the narrative around early African American basketball history and fully recognise the contributions of women to the sport.
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The Black Fives Era
The Harlem Renaissance, also known as the New York Rens, was one of the most prominent and successful all-Black basketball teams of the Black Fives Era. Founded in 1923 in Harlem, New York City, the Rens played a crucial role in breaking down racial barriers in basketball. From 1923 to 1948, they achieved an impressive 2,588 wins out of 3,117 games, a winning percentage of 83% over 25 years. The Rens' success helped nurture and popularize basketball, paving the way for the sport's international prominence today.
Another notable team was the Alphas, based in Harlem, who thrived during the Black Fives Era. The Spartan Girls Club, an all-Black women's team, also played an important role during this era, showcasing the participation of women in basketball at the time. The Black Fives Era produced several notable NBA players who contributed to African American history, such as Jackie Robinson, who played for the Los Angeles Red Devils, and John Isaacs of the Rens.
The era came to an end in the late 1940s with the gradual integration of white professional basketball leagues. In 1949, the National Basketball League (NBL) merged with the all-white Basketball Association of America (BAA) to form the National Basketball Association (NBA). In 1950, the NBA signed its first African American players, marking the beginning of racial integration in the league. However, early Black players in the NBA faced significant racism and racial tension, and they were often limited to role-playing positions. Despite these challenges, their perseverance helped pave the way for more African American players to join the league and contribute to the rich history of basketball.
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The Negro Leagues
Over the next thirty years, seven Negro major leagues existed at various times, with the last season generally considered to be in 1951. The Negro Leagues were a rich cultural and commercial phenomenon, with a high level of professional skill and entertainment value. They also served as a means of economic development in many black communities. However, with the integration of organised baseball in the late 1940s, the quality of the Negro Leagues slowly declined. This decline was accelerated when Major League Baseball began recruiting black players in the 1940s, with Jackie Robinson becoming the first African-American to play in a Major League roster in 1945.
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Racial integration in basketball
The history of basketball has been racially segregated. The sport was introduced to African Americans in a wide-scale organized way in 1904 by Edwin Henderson, a black gym teacher in Washington, D.C. However, African Americans were excluded from the mainstream leagues, and basketball gymnasiums and athletic clubs were whites-only. As a result, dozens of all-black basketball teams, known as "Black Fives", were formed. These teams played in church basements, armories, meeting halls, and dance ballrooms, and their games were accompanied by music and dance. The Black Fives Era lasted until the 1940s and 1950s, when the National Basketball League and the National Basketball Association (NBA) became racially integrated.
The Black Fives played a crucial role in breaking down racial barriers in American sports during the early 20th century. They nurtured and popularized basketball, which is now an international, multibillion-dollar industry. The teams also built community, celebrated culture, and created wealth. The Black Fives Era produced notable NBA players who contributed to African-American history, such as Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.
Despite the racial integration of the NBA in 1950, early black players in the league experienced continual racism and racial tension from fans, teammates, opposing players, coaches, referees, and owners. They were often forced to be role players, concentrating on rebounding and defense. However, as more African Americans were drafted into the league, the situation gradually improved.
The history of the Black Fives has largely flown under the radar, but efforts are now being made to bring their story to light. The Black Fives Foundation, founded in 2013, is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to researching, preserving, and honouring the pre-NBA history of African Americans in basketball. In 2005, the 109th United States Congress passed a joint resolution recognizing the achievements and contributions of barnstorming African-American basketball teams prior to the integration of white professional leagues.
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Frequently asked questions
The Black Fives were all-Black basketball teams that played in the US between 1904 and 1950, before the NBA was racially integrated.
Basketball was racially segregated and Black players were excluded from mainstream leagues. Black Fives teams played in church basements, armories, meeting halls, and dance ballrooms.
The Black Fives built community, celebrated Black culture, and created wealth. They played a crucial role in breaking down racial barriers in American sports during the early 20th century.
Yes, the Black Fives commanded national attention in the Negro press and local papers. They also drew crowds by combining basketball games with music and dance.
The Black Fives disbanded when the NBA became racially integrated in 1950. As more African American players joined the NBA, interest in the Black Fives declined, and they faced financial challenges due to limited resources and lack of sponsorship.
