Ayrton Oneill
Basketball, particularly the NBA, has long been associated with race. The NBA has the highest proportion of Black players of any North American sports league and is the only league with a majority non-white audience. The NBA has gained a reputation for being progressive, but this was not always the case. The roots of the NBA's racist culture began in the 1950s in Boston, Massachusetts, a city known for its passionate sports fans and blatant racism. When Celtics owner Walter Brown selected Chuck Cooper in the 1950 draft, he was told that Cooper, a negro, couldn't play in the NBA. Despite the league's progress, racism and discrimination against athletes persist, with players like Kyle Lowry and Masai Ujiri experiencing racism and racial inequality. The NBA has used its platform to address these issues, with campaigns like Black Lives Matter and initiatives to combat systemic racism and promote social justice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1950s |
| Place | Boston, Massachusetts |
| People Involved | Chuck Cooper, Walter Brown |
| Cooper's Background | 6-foot-5 forward with long arms and a nose for defense |
| Cooper's Draft | 14th selection in the 1950 draft |
| Reason for Racism | Cooper was a "negro" |
| Other Black Players | Hank DeZonie, Harold Hunter, Earl Lloyd, Nat Clifton, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain |
| NBA's Response | Fighting racial injustice, allowing players to wear "I can't breathe" T-shirts, ejecting Donald Sterling |
| Recent Incidents | Mark Stevens shoved Kyle Lowry, Masai Ujiri experienced racism and discrimination |
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What You'll Learn
The NBA's racist culture began in the 1950s
The NBA, which was founded in 1946, has long been associated with racial issues. The league has the highest percentage of Black players of any major professional sports league in the US and Canada. The NBA's racist culture can be traced back to the 1950s, when the first Black players entered the league. Boston, Massachusetts, where the Celtics are based, was known for its passionate sports fans and blatant, virulent racism. Celtics owner Walter Brown faced backlash for drafting Chuck Cooper, who was Black, in 1950.
African Americans first appeared in the NBA in 1950, with the signing of Harold Hunter to the Washington Capitols, becoming the first African American to sign a contract with any NBA team in history. However, he was cut from the team during training camp and did not play professionally. On May 24, 1950, Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton became the second African American player to sign an NBA contract. Other Black pioneers in the 1950-51 season included Hank DeZonie, who played five games for the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, and Harold Hunter, who signed with Washington.
In the NBA of the 1950s, Black players were often restricted to specific roles and were not given the same opportunities as their white teammates. They were expected to rebound, pass, and play defense, while shooting and scoring were left to the white players. This dynamic began to change in 1955 with the arrival of Maurice Stokes, who broke the embargo and enabled Black players to showcase their full range of talents. Despite the presence of Black players in the league, racism persisted in the NBA during the 1950s. Doxie Moore, the Hawks coach, had to warn player Bobby Wilson about visiting segregated NBA cities like Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, and Baltimore. Wilson experienced racism during a game when he was tripped and injured by a player from the Philadelphia Warriors.
Even within teams, Black players faced racial slights from their teammates and coaches. For example, Red Auerbach, the Boston coach, expected Black players to conform to segregated conditions when playing in the South. Additionally, Black players like Clifton faced limitations on their playing style and were criticised for displaying "fancy" moves that were associated with Black culture. The racial dynamics within the NBA during the 1950s reflected the broader societal racism of the time, and the league has continued to grapple with racism and inequality in subsequent decades.
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Black players were not allowed to shoot or score
The NBA has gained a reputation for being progressive relative to other sports leagues in North America. It has the highest proportion of Black players of any North American sports league and is the only league with a majority non-white audience. However, this was not always the case.
The NBA's first season began in 1946, and for its first four seasons, none of the eleven teams and over 150 players were Black. This was unsurprising, as much of America at the time was segregated. Black people were not allowed to go to the same schools or public places or hold many of the same jobs as white people.
In 1950, the colour barrier in the NBA was broken when the Boston Celtics drafted Chuck Cooper, the Washington Capitols chose Earl Lloyd, and the New York Knicks signed Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, who played for the Harlem Globetrotters, a team that had a monopoly on Black players. These pioneers had solid NBA careers and paved the way for future Black players. However, they faced many prejudices. Black players in the 1950s were expected to rebound, pass, and play defence, but shooting and scoring were left to their white teammates.
Despite being one of the most decorated players in the league, Bill Russell, a Black player for the Boston Celtics, still experienced racism daily. In 1962, Russell and other Black members of the Celtics were denied entry to a hotel in Lexington, Kentucky, and they boycotted the exhibition game they had been scheduled to play.
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Unofficial quotas on the number of Black players
The NBA has long been associated with racial issues, and the league has historically had a reputation for racism. The NBA's first season was in 1946-47, and for the first four years of its existence, there was an unofficial ban on black players. No black players made a BAA or NBA roster during this time. This was partly to benefit Abe Saperstein, owner of the Harlem Globetrotters, who wanted first pick of any promising black players.
The NBA's first black players joined the league in 1950. Chuck Cooper was the first black player to be drafted by an NBA team, and during the 1950-51 season, Cooper, Earl Lloyd, Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, and Hank DeZonie became the first black players to play in the NBA, officially breaking the league's colour barrier. Despite this, the NBA continued to have an unofficial quota system in place, where team owners and league executives agreed that too many black players would be bad for business with a predominantly white crowd. This unspoken quota system lasted for over a decade, with only two teams rostering more than one black player in a season between 1950-51 and 1954-55.
Black players during this time were also limited in the roles they could play. While they might be asked to rebound, pass, and play defense, shooting the ball and scoring were left to their white teammates. This unofficial quota system was eventually ended by Bill Russell, who publicly denounced the practice through newspaper articles and interviews. By the 1965-66 season, black players composed half of the league and three-quarters of the All-Stars.
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Black players were victims of racism from fans
The NBA has long been associated with racial discrimination, with Black players being victims of racism from fans. In the 1950s, the NBA's racist culture was rooted in Boston, Massachusetts, a city known for its passionate sports fans and blatant racism. When Chuck Cooper, a Black player, was drafted, Celtics owner Walter Brown received backlash for his decision, with people claiming that Cooper, being a "negro," couldn't play in the NBA.
Even as the league progressed towards supporting social justice, Black players continued to face discrimination from fans. Bill Russell, one of the league's most decorated players and a prominent advocate for equality, endured racism throughout his career. In 1962, Russell and other Black members of the Celtics were denied entry to a hotel in Lexington, Kentucky, leading them to boycott an exhibition game. Russell's refusal to conform to expectations of being a role model further subjected him to criticism from sportswriters, the FBI, and his own fans.
Racism from fans towards Black players has persisted in more recent times as well. In 2015, the Atlanta Hawks plane landed in Newark, and Thabo Sefolosha and Pero Antic of the Hawks went to a nightclub, where they encountered another NBA player, Chris Copeland. Warriors minority owner Mark Stevens shoved Kyle Lowry as he dove for a loose ball. Additionally, a fan was banned from T.D. Garden for directing a racial slur at DeMarcus Cousins, then of the Warriors.
While Boston has become more welcoming to its athletes, the legacy of racism from fans remains. Owners pass down not just money and power but also their ideologies, which have historically included racism. This has contributed to a "plantation mentality" that has plagued athletes, impacting their relationship with team governors and fans.
Racism is not limited to male fans or the NBA; it is also prevalent in the WNBA. Caitlin Clark, a white player, has faced racism from Black players and their fans, who are upset by her success and feel that the basketball court is their domain. Clark has spoken out against the racist behavior, emphasizing that it has no place in the league or the WNBA.
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The NBA's anti-racism campaigns
The NBA has long been associated with racial injustice and white supremacy. However, it has also been at the forefront of anti-racism campaigns and has gained a reputation for being progressive. The NBA has the highest proportion of Black players of any North American sports league and is the only league with a majority non-white audience.
The NBA has also been criticised for its response to racism. For example, in 1962, Bill Russell, one of the league's most decorated players and a vocal advocate for equality, was denied entry to a hotel in Lexington, Kentucky, along with other Black members of the Celtics. Additionally, the NBA has been called out for its inaction on racial injustice, with players like Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf of the Denver Nuggets being suspended and fined for refusing to stand for the national anthem before games, citing it as a symbol of racism and oppression.
Despite these criticisms, the NBA continues to strive towards social justice and has established organisations like the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition, which comprises players, coaches, team governors, and executives working to advance social justice. The NBA has also arranged its schedule around election day to increase voter participation and has called for lawmakers to protect voting rights.
While the NBA has been a leader in anti-racism campaigns, the fight against racial inequality persists, and the league continues to work towards creating a more inclusive and just environment for its players and fans.
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Frequently asked questions
The NBA has gained a reputation for being progressive relative to its peers. It has the highest proportion of Black players of any North American sports league and is the only league with a majority non-white audience. However, the NBA has also been criticised for its inaction on racial injustice, with some arguing that it has a racist culture.
Racism in the NBA has taken various forms, including discrimination in team selection and player treatment, racist fan behaviour, and the use of racial slurs and stereotypes. For example, in the 1940s through '60s, many NBA teams had unofficial quotas on the number of Black players. In 1950, Celtics owner Walter Brown received backlash for drafting Chuck Cooper, a "negro". In 1962, Bill Russell, KC Jones, Satch Sanders, and Sam Jones, were denied entry to a hotel in Lexington, KY. In 2007, radio host Don Imus was fired for making racially disparaging comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team. More recently, in 2013, a staff member from the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns was reprimanded for heckling Nigerian player Olaide Adeogun with monkey chants.
NBA players have shown a willingness to speak out against racial injustice. For example, in response to the killing of Eric Garner and other incidents of racism, NBA stars have used their platforms to raise awareness and advocate for change. Some players, like Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, have become outspoken advocates for equality, using their intellect and influence to combat racism both within and beyond the league.
