Today In NBA History: A Significant Milestone Was Broken

On April 25, 1950, the Boston Celtics made history by select‐ ing Chuck Cooper, an All- American forward from Duquesne University, as the first African American player in the NBA draft. Cooper’s journey was marked by courage, talent, and a commit‐ ment to change the league for the better.

Born on September 29, 1926, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Cooper grew up in what seems like a typical family. His father, Daniel, worked as a mailman, and his mother, Em‐ ma, was a school teacher. Chuck attended Pittsburgh’s Westinghouse High School, where he excelled on the bas‐ ketball court. His senior year saw him average over 13 points per game, earning him a spot on the All-City first-team center.

After a brief stint at West Vir‐ ginia State College, Cooper enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. Fol‐ lowing his service, he enrolled at Duquesne University, where he became an All-American. Over four seasons, he set a school record with 990 total points. The 1949-50 Duquesne team, led by Cooper as cap‐ tain, achieved a remarkable 23-6 record and was nationally ranked throughout the season. In 1950, Cooper’s ground‐ breaking moment arrived when the Boston Celtics drafted him with the 14th overall pick in the NBA Draft. He became the first African American player ever to be selected, breaking the league’s color barrier. Cooper’s impact extended be‐ yond the court-he paved the way for future generations of Black athletes.

What Did HeAccomplish During His NBACareer?

During his six-season NBA ca‐ reer, Cooper played for the

Celtics, the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks, and the Fort Wayne Pistons. His versatility as a small forward and shoot‐ ing guard contributed to his av‐ erages of 6.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Cooper’s legacy transcends statistics; he symbolizes resilience, de‐ termination, and progress. In 2019, Chuck Cooper was in‐ ducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, recognizing his contri‐ butions to the game. His journey remains an inspiration, reminding us that sports can be a powerful force for change.

Today, as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of Chuck Cooper’s historic draft, let us honor his memory and ac‐ knowledge the impact he had on the NBA and the world of sports.

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS: Order your favorite whiskey or spirit for the big game right to your doorstep and use code

STADIUMRANT10 for a 10% discount at Caskers

Use code STADIUMRANT20

for a 20% discount at Bullet‐ proof Coffee , SwingJuice and Performix .

If you love to shotgun beers, use code STADIUMRANT10

at Wild Man Drinking Com‐ pany .

MORE FROM STADIUM

RANT:

If you enjoyed this article, sub‐ scribe to our newsletter here . Check out Stadium Rant Origi‐ nal shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe! Give our socials Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , TikTok a follow for more great content!