In 1949, Abe Saperstein, who owned and coached the Harlem Globetrotters, organized an exhibition game in New York City against the NBA champions, the Minneapolis Lakers. The game was witnessed by Ned Irish, owner of the New York Knicks, and his coach, Joe Lapchick. The Lakers were outplayed by the talented and inventive Black Globetrotters, with Sweetwater Clifton impressing the crowd with his graceful athleticism. Lapchick and Irish took the lead in advocating for the integration of the team, with the support of NBA President Maurice Podoloff. They worked with other team owners in the league to create a groundbreaking moment in history.
Sweetwater
Hall of Famer, Nat 'Sweetwater' Clifton, makes history as the first African American to sign an NBA contract, forever changing how the game of basketball is played.
