In major American sports, it is not hard to recall which player broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947. Brooklyn Dodgers legend Jackie Robinson is one of the most important figures in history because of his bravery and courage. There have been many articles, documentaries, and movies made about the impact Robinson had on his sport, and on the country as a whole.
However, most people would likely have a difficult time recalling that Chuck Cooper was the first African-American player to be drafted into the NBA. If not for his fearlessness and unwavering desire to play the game he loved, the league may have developed a lot differently in the early 1950s.
Chuck Cooper – Before The Pros
Charles Henry Cooper was born on September 29, 1926, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At first, Cooper was more of a defensive player at the youth levels and did not have an advanced offensive game. While he was less interested at first in the less glamorous parts of the game such as defense and rebounding, Cooper realized that he would need to improve in those areas to maximize his potential. He would soon embrace all aspects of the game and helped the Westinghouse High School basketball team win city championships in his junior and senior years.
The Pennsylvania kid’s life would take a few different turns after he left high school. He attended college in Virginia briefly before entering the United States Navy during the tail end of World War II. When he wasn’t busy serving his country, Charles “Chuck” Cooper continued to play basketball, knowing that he’d eventually return home and have a chance to resume playing the sport he loved.
He would eventually settle back near where he grew up after he was discharged honorably from the Navy. Cooper attended Duquesne University in his hometown. Despite the frequent and obvious racial obstacles standing in his way, Cooper would go on to have an impressive college career. The team went 78-19 in games he played during that time, and Cooper would be the second African-American player in history to be named a Consensus All-American.
Before his landmark leap to the pros, and even while he played in the NBA, Cooper would still make time for games with the Harlem Globetrotters. He was one of their best players in the early 1950s.
Chuck Cooper – Boston Celtics
With the 13th pick in the 1950 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics made history by selecting Chuck Cooper, the first African-American drafted. The pick was met with a lot of confusion and animosity. Many wondered why the Celtics would pick an African American player. Boston owner Walter Brown did not care about the backlash, stating that Cooper could’ve been striped or polka-dotted and it wouldn’t have mattered. They believed in his basketball talent, and winning games was the only thing that mattered.
While Cooper’s numbers were not going to break any league records, his presence shattered any preconceived notions that African-American players couldn’t play on an NBA team. The Celtics included Cooper as the main part of their rotation, playing over 28 minutes per game in 1951-1952 and 1952-1953.
Chuck Cooper – Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks
In May 1954, Cooper was involved in a transaction that is not familiar among fans of today’s game. The Celtics ended up selling his rights to the then-Milwaukee Hawks, who would eventually move to St. Louis a year later.
The former Duquesne star’s playing time had dipped in his final season with Boston but received more of an opportunity to play in his first season in Milwaukee. He averaged over 8 points, five rebounds, and two assists per game.
Chuck Cooper – Fort Wayne Pistons
Chuck Cooper would only end up playing one more season in the NBA before his career ended. He started off the 1955-1956 campaign with the St. Louis Hawks but was released midway through the season after having played a complementary role in 35 games.
The Fort Wayne Pistons wasted no time signing him to a contract after he became available. Cooper ended up being part of the rotation for a team that would end up making the NBA Finals. Fort Wayne actually beat St. Louis in order to get there, which probably gave Cooper a lot of satisfaction.
The Pistons would end up losing the NBA Finals to the Philadelphia Warriors in five games. Cooper’s best individual performance came in Game 3, where he grabbed six rebounds.
Chuck Cooper – Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
For his trailblazing career, Chuck Cooper would be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame posthumously in 2019. It is a well-deserved honor for an important figure in the sport’s evolutionary timeline. Many of the game’s greatest players were present during Cooper’s induction, such as Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Elgin Baylor.
Chuck Cooper – Net Worth
Chuck Cooper is an NBA star with an estimated net worth of $5 million. He has earned this wealth through his successful career in the NBA, as well as various endorsements and other income streams. Cooper is one of the most successful basketball players in recent years, and his net worth continues to grow each year.
What happened to Chuck Cooper?
Chuck Cooper died of cancer in Forbes Hospice on February 5th 1984.
Who is the first African-American basketball player?
Chuck Cooper, along with Earl Lloyd and Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton were the first black players in the NBA.
Did Chuck Cooper have kids?
He had four children. One of his sons, Chuck Cooper III, co-authored a book called Breaking Barriers: The Chuck Cooper Story in honor of his late father.
