Bill Russell: The First African-American Basketball Player

Jackie Robinson was one of the most historically well known people in the civil rights movement. So as the first man to integrate major league baseball, Jackie Robinson had a game changing impact on the way the game was played. Having the courage to fight for what is right, Jackie broke the imaginary color barrier that has covered major league baseball for years. Through his resiliency and tenaciousness in the face of seemingly unconquerable odds, Jackie Robinson set the course for African Americans to continue the expansion for equality and true freedom while he was becoming one of the greatest Major League baseball players in history.

Earl Lloyd died February 26, 2015, in Crossville, Tennessee. He is remembered for being the first African-American to play in an NBA game, breaking its racial barrier. Earl Lloyd played in the NBA and was later named the first African- American assistant coach and the first to be named a bench coach.

Chuck Cooper had became the first black NBA player on April 25th, 1950. Drafted by the Boston Celtics, Cooper had gone through hell as being the only black man in the NBA. He had played six seasons for the Celtics, and one season for the Milwaukee St. Louis Hawks. Before finishing his career with the Harlem Magicians he has played one season with the Forth Wayne Pistons. Cooper had earned his masters in social work from the University of Minnesota. He also had became the city of Pittsburgs black head of directior of the department of of parks and recreation. He also worked as a supervisor of Pittsburgs national bank affirmative action program before he had died in 1984.

Work cited 1. "History.com." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2017. 2. " Jackie Robinson." Biography.com.

Most people know him as an 11 time NBA Champion, 5 time MVP, 12-time All-Star and he were the centerpieces of the Celtics dynasty during his 13-year career. Bill Russell ended up as the most successful player in the history of the NBA and formed the centerpiece of the greatest dynasty in the history of the league. For his accomplishments in the Civil Rights Movement on and off the court, Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. Bill was outstanding at everything he ever put his mind to. For all that he accomplished on and off the field, Bill Russell is definitely one of the all-time great players of Basketball.

During high school Westbrook was only 5’8” tall, so not many colleges wanted him since he had such a little frame. Russell was starting in high school as a Junior, that summer he had a growth spurt. After he got more height he became a very big college prospect. Westbrook was

Earl Lloyd was one of the many unsung heroes in black history. Though he was not as popular as Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King, Jr, his contributions were still great. Earl Lloyd was professional basketball player, hall of fame player, and also the first African American basketball player to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Jackie Robinson was the first African American baseball player who broke the color barrier. Jackie Robinson had nine values which were courage, determination, teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment, and excellence. Jackie had many values, but they didn't make him a champion. They made him the hero we remember today and will continue to respect as we move forward. Earl Lloyd emulated Jackie Robinson when it came to courage. Lloyd was the first black NBA player. He used courage to succeed because he played in the 1950's and 60's. During that time period segregation still existed and it wasn't easy for African-Americans like Lloyd or Robinson to play with whites in the south. First, 1 shall talk about Jackie Robinson s nine values that he followed.

When it comes to sports, it was not until 1947, that Jackie Robinson was able to integrate baseball. But there were many other famous African American athletes before him. Other famous names include Jesse Owens who was the clear star of the 1936 Olympic Games, and blacks such as Ralph Metcalfe, Archie Williams, Frederick Pollard Jr., and Mack Robinson claimed half of the medals won by the United States in Berlin. Football, basketball, and golf would gradually follow suit. Professional basketball integrated in 1950 when the Boston Celtics drafted Chuck Cooper. The New York Knickerbockers soon signed Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, although Earl Lloyd was the first black to actually play in a National Basketball Association (NBA) game during the

On May 6, 1999, Bill Russell, the man who redefineed the center by his unique shot-blocking, man-to-man defense and rebounding ability, and contributed to his team Celtics by his outstanding performance and remarkable leadership, finally attended his own retirement ceremony after 27 years of retirement. This great man in the history of American basketball refused to have a ceremony in 1972 in Boston, the city he perceived as the “racist city”, because of his concern of discrimination. On February 15th, 2011, Bill Russell received the Medal of Freedom from President Obama for his contribution to civil rights movement. Obama described him as “the man who stand up for the dignity of all men”. From being insulted, being refused in restaurants during tournaments, intimidating the world with his long arms and strong opinions, to challenging the politics of sports and fighting against racism, it has been a long way for Bill Russell, for American basketball, and for American society. Basketball, one of the major sports in America, presents the civil rights breakthrough both in professional games and in colleges. The book “King of the Courts: Bill Russell and the Basketball Revolution” by Aram Goudsouzian and “Getting Open: The Unknown Story of Bill Garrett and the Integration of College Basketball” by Tom Graham, and Rachel Graham Cody, reveal the story of how two of the greatest players in the history of American basketball, broke the color barriers in basketball and foster the

First, “He grabbed 40 rebounds in two separate NBA Finals games and is one of only two players to grab more than 50 rebounds in a single NBA game (51 rebounds on Feb. 6, 1960 vs. Syracuse)” (NBA.com). To show you how hard that is, LeBron James, the best player in the league today, averaged 10 rebounds in the 2016 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. Furthermore, Bill Russell has won the most championships than anybody else that has played basketball with 11 (NBA.com). The only person to get close to Russell was Sam Jones, with 10. Sam Jones was on Russell’s team for his ten rings, but what made Russell get his 11th ring was in 1957, which Sam wasn’t on his team. Lastly, “A 6-foot 10-inch (208-centimeter) center for the Boston Celtics, Russell became a master at blocking shots and rebounding. He ranks second only to Wilt Chamberlain among the leading rebounders in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) (World Book).” Bill averaged 22.5 rebounds, with a total of 21,620 rebounds in his career. These achievements in Russell’s career makes it easy to tell that he is an influential player for any basketball

Russell Westbrook is a point guard, who has been playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was born on November 12, 1988 and is currently 27. Russell is a very quick, and explosive player, he loves to attack the rim. He's also a great shooter, he leads the NBA with tripe doubles. A triple double, is when you get 3 double digit stats. Russell gets assists, rebounds, and points. He's a 5 time NBA all star, 2 time NBA all star MVP , NBA scoring champion and he made the NBA All-Rookie team. In 2012 he made the NBA championship game, and played against the Miami Heat. They lost and Lebron James won MVP.

Bill Russell, a star player in the NBA. standing six-foot-nine, he was known for his shot blocking and rebounding abilities. Growing up mostly without his mother, he was an frail skinny boy. Also consider one of the best players. In this essay, I will examine the life, the career, and the legacy of Bill Russell.

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on others' lives." This quote was said by Jackie Robinson who was important in paving the way for other black athletes in professional sports. He was the first black baseball player to play in Major League Baseball.What would professional sports be without all the greatest black athletes such as Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali or Jackie Robinson? Today the NBA is filled with a large majority of African American players. The NBA would be nothing without those players. Muhammad Ali was a boxer, businessman and social activist for equal rights for all races. He wanted equal opportunities for all men, regardless of color, to be successful. Michael Jordan was considered the best basketball

Most kids grow up wanting to be world class athletes, not only were these three people world class athletes, but they were some of the most decorated to play what they played. Michael Jordan, named the best athlete of the 20th Century by ESPN, once stated, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I 've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I 've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I 've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Magic Johnson is known for changing basketball by being the tallest point guard to play the game. Also being the first NBA player to come out with AIDS. He is now a successful entrepreneur. George Foreman is one of the most decorated boxers that

Over 30 million people play basketball in America and it is one of fastest growing sports in the world (Lynn). It is an exciting and a very intense sport to play and watch. Most people, however, do not know how or when it was created. The purpose of this paper is to inform people about when basketball was created, how much it has changed over the years, and to talk about some of the most influential players who ever played this amazing sport.