Nearly 65 years ago, Charles Henry “Chuck” Cooper was the first African American to be drafted in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Boston Celtics drafted Cooper on April 25, 1950 in the second round.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pa. on September 29, 1926, Cooper was the youngest of six children and came from humble beginnings. He explored various sports as a teenager. Despite his initial dislike of basketball, it was where he stood out the most.
Upon graduating high school, Cooper enrolled in historically black West Virginia State College (now University). However, he left the College after one semester and entered the military during the late stages of World War II.
After his year of service, Cooper attended Duquesne University to play basketball, where he started all four years, recorded a total of 1,000 points, and received All-American honors. Cooper also graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education in 1950.
Standing 6-feet-5-inces tall, Cooper joined the infamous Harlem Globetrotters prior to playing in the NBA.
November 1, 1950 was the day Chuck made history by debuting with the Celtics. Playing in 66 games his rookie season, he averaged 9.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game—statistics like blocked shots, steals and turnovers were not recorded in this era. Also, he went on to play with the Milwaukee Hawks and Fort Wayne Pistons.
Throughout his basketball journey, Cooper experienced racial discrimination which impacted his performance.
In the late 1950s, Cooper retired from basketball and returned to school obtaining a master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Minnesota. Cooper went on to be successful in public service.
Cooper passed away on February 5, 1984 of liver cancer. His legacy continues through his family, who established the Chuck Cooper Foundation in his honor in 2009.
As the first to integrate the NBA draft, Chuck Cooper is undoubtedly a black sports icon.
(Image courtesy of NBA.com)
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