The first African American players in the National Basketball Association in the twentieth century all came into the league in 1950. They were Earl Francis Lloyd (Washington Capitols), Charles Henry Cooper (Boston Celtics), and Nathaniel Clifton (New York Knicks). They all began their college careers … Read MoreThe First Black Players in the NBA (1950)
Westley Sissel Unseld, 6-7 professional basketball player and coach, was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 14, 1946, to Charles Dorsey Unseld, a prizefighter, construction worker, oilman, and baseball player for the Indianapolis Clowns, and Cornelia Sissel Unseld. The family had nine children: seven brothers, … Read MoreWestley “Wes” Sissel Unseld (1946-2020)
Percy Robert Miller is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor best known under the stage name, Master P. Miller was born on April 29, 1970, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Miller is the oldest of his five siblings, including two brothers who are fellow rappers, Corey … Read MoreMaster P\Percy Robert Miller (1970- )
Donovan Mitchell Jr. is a basketball player who played for the Utah Jazz in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Mitchell was born on September 7, 1996 to Donovan Mitchell Sr and Nicole Mitchell in Elmford, New York. Mitchell also has one younger sister, Jordan Mitchell. … Read MoreDonovan Mitchell Jr. (1996- )
Meadow “Meadowlark” Lemon III was most famous as the longtime star player of the Harlem Globetrotters. Lemon was born in Wilmington, North Carolina on April 25, 1932. He adopted the name “Meadowlark” while he was with the Harlem Globetrotters. Lemon attended Williston Industrial School in … Read MoreMeadow “Meadowlark” Lemon III (1932-2015)
Patrick Aloysius Ewing is a professional basketball player and coach who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 17 seasons for the New York Knicks, Seattle Supersonics (Now Oklahoma City Thunder), and Orlando Magic. Ewing was born on August 5, 1962 to Dorothy Ewing … Read MorePatrick Aloysius Ewing (1962- )
Rudy Gobert-Bourgarel, a professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA), was the league’s first athlete to test positive for COVID-19, the Coronavirus. Gobert who is one of a handful of international players in the NBA, began his professional basketball … Read MoreRudy Gobert-Bourgarel (1992- )
Reece “Goose” Tatum was a professional baseball and basketball player. Tatum was born on May 31, 1921 in El Dorado, Arkansas to Ben Tatum, a farmer and part-time preacher, and Alice Tatum, a domestic cook. Tatum was the fifth of seven children in the family. … Read MoreReece “Goose” Tatum (1921-1967)
Professional basketball player Rui Hachimura was born on February 8, 1998 to a Japanese mother, Makiko Hachimura, father, Zakari Jabil, an African immigrant from Benin, in Toyama Prefecture of Japan. Hachimura also has three younger siblings, one brother and two sisters. He got involved playing … Read MoreRui Hachimura (1998- )
John Uzoma Ekwugha Amaechi is a psychologist, consultant, and former National Basketball Association (NBA) player. Amaechi was born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 20, 1970 to Wendy Amaechi, an English mother, and Jon Amaechi, a Nigerian father who descends from the Igbo people. Amaechi has … Read MoreJohn Uzoma Ekwugha Amaechi (1970- )
