Chuck Cooper, in his university stage (WIKIPEDIA).
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We are going to close the week with the story of a pioneer of one of the four great American sports, one of those names that should be remembered. It’s of Chuck Cooper.
Charles Henry Cooper was born on September 29, 1926, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The son of a postman and a school teacher, he began to play in high school. He was mobilized during the World War II and when he returned he entered Duquesne University, where as a forward or guard he broke scoring records and where he captained the basketball team.
After finishing college, he joined the legendary Harlem Globetrotters, but on April 25, 1950, he became the first African-American to be elected to a draft of the NBA. He was chosen by the Boston Celtics in 14th place.
Cooper, right, in training with the Celtics (WIKIPEDIA).
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When the other teams learned of the Celtics’ interest, they pointed out that Boston could not draftear to Cooper for being black. But Walter A. Brown, the owner of the Celtics, famously said: “I don’t give a damn if it’s striped, checked, or polka-dotted Boston takes Charles Cooper from Duquesne. “
Cooper debuted on November 1 of that 1950 and spent four years with the Celtics, he went to the Milwaukee Hawks (which would later move to Atlanta). Two years later he signed for the Fort Wayne Pistons (currently in Detroit), where he retired that same 1956. In his NBA career he averaged 5.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists.
After his retirement he settled in his native Pittsburgh, where he was involved in management tasks such as the school council, and was the first African American to lead the Parks and Leisure department in the city.
Chuck Cooper died on February 5, 1984, 57 years old, victim of liver cancer.
Until Thursday.
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