The Black Fives

As this year’s NBA Final is about to begin, the timing is perfect to remember those that helped establish the game of basketball in the Black community.  Beginning in 1904 when it was first introduced to African-Americans, thirteen years after it was invented, and until 1950 when the NBA was formed, Black teams known as ‘The Black Fives’ traveled across America entertaining and exciting fans nationwide.

Often as part of shows that included big dance bands such as Chick Webb, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald and held in local school auditoriums and armories, these teams are credited with the up-tempo style we see today.  Initially, the game was played slowly and methodically but this style wasn’t possible against the backdrop of lively entertaining music and young crowds where the posters often billed the events as Basket Ball and Dance.  With players such as Cumberland Posey, Bill Yancey, James “Pappy” Ricks, Charles “Tarzan” Cooper, Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton, Reece Tatum, Ora Washington and Clarence “Fat” Jenkins, flashiness became an integral part of the game to keep it entertaining and fun.

When Edwin Henderson, considered the grandfather of Black basketball, saw the sport’s potential not as an endgame career but a bridge where Black athletes could use their skills to attend northern white colleges, he could not envision the global phenomenon that it is today.  Eventually local schools, ‘Colored’ YMCAs, businesses, organizations, churches and even newspapers began forming leagues, giving these young men an opportunity to entertain and as the sport gained steam, the first professional Black basketball team was formed in 1910.  And two years later, what began in Washington D.C. had expanded up and down the east coast and eventually, nationwide.

The New York Renaissance aka “The Harlem Rens” was easily the most well accomplished team of the [Black Fives Era].  They actually defeated the Harlem Globetrotters in their one and only meeting and this game was legit before the Globetrotters became a show team.  But other teams competed well such as The Savoy Big Five based out of Chicago, The Vandal Athletic Club from Atlantic City, The Second Story Morrys out of Pittsburgh, The Washington Bears out of D.C. and The Smart Set Athletic Club from Brooklyn.

Although the popularity didn’t garner as much success as the Negro Leagues (baseball) it’s impact was evident as the 1933 Rens team was collectively inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1963.  And paralleling the demise of the Negro Leagues, once these sports became desegregated, they could no longer sustain a working business model, baseball in 1947 and three years later, basketball in 1950.  And the vitriol, racism, hatred and tension these early Black players endured is a further testament to their resilience and dedication to succeed.

So as we celebrate today’s NBA and appreciate the talents of these gifted athletes, let’s not forget those that paved the way and proved that not only do We belong, we excel and compete if only given a chance.