February 27, 1961 James Ager Worthy, hall of fame basketball player, was born in Gastonia, North Carolina. Worthy was an All-American high school basketball player and after graduating enrolled at the University of North Carolina. In 1982, Worthy was an All-American and co-College Player of the Year. That year, he also led UNC to the […]
Tag Archives | basketball
February 12th in African American History – William Felton “Bill” Russell
February 12, 1934 William Felton “Bill” Russell, hall of fame basketball player and author, was born West Monroe, Louisiana, but raised in Oakland, California. Russell led the University of San Francisco to consecutive NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956 and also earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956.
February 3rd in African American History – Edwin Bancroft Henderson
February 3, 1977 Edwin Bancroft Henderson, the “grandfather of black basketball,” died. Henderson was born November 28, 1884 in Washington, D.C. In 1904, he became the first African American certified to teach physical education and from 1920 to 1954 was director of physical education in Washington’s segregated schools.
January 12th in African American History – Jacques Dominique Wilkins
January 12, 1960 Jacques Dominique Wilkins, hall of fame basketball player, was born in Paris, France where his father was stationed in the United States Air Force. Wilkins led his high school basketball team to consecutive Class 3-A State Championships and entered the University of Georgia in 1979. He was named the SEC Men’s Basketball […]
January 3rd in African American History – Cheryl D. Miller
January 3, 1962 Cheryl D. Miller, hall of fame basketball player, was born in Riverside, California. Miller was an outstanding basketball player in high school. She was the first player, male or female, to be named an All-American by Parade Magazine four times, she was awarded the Dial Award as the national high school scholar/athlete […]
December 8th in African American History – Teresa Gaye Weatherspoon
December 8, 1965 Teresa Gaye Weatherspoon, hall of fame basketball player, was born in Pineland, Texas. Weatherspoon played college basketball at Louisiana Tech University where she was a two-time All-American. In 1988, she led the team to the NCAA national title and won the Margaret Wade Trophy as the top female basketball player in the […]
November 24th in African American History – David Bing
November 24, 1943 David Bing, hall of fame basketball player and Mayor of the City of Detroit, was born in Washington, D.C. Bing attended Syracuse University where he led the basketball team in scoring each of the years he played and in 1966 was named an All-American. Bing earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in […]