Chuck Cooper: The Trailblazer Who Broke the NBA’s Color Barrier and Changed the Game Forever

In my lifetime, I have never admired an NBA player who wasn’t Black. For me, the Goat always will be — brace yourself — LeBron James. But I grew up loving to watch a young, skinny Kobe Bryant learning from Michael Jordan and then wreaking havoc for the entire league. 

All of these men are goats and have been instrumental in shaping the league. However, there was a time when racism would have shielded us from seeing these greats on the court. In 1950, following the integration of Major League Baseball and the National Football League, the NBA finally followed suit.

Born in Pittsburgh in 1926, Charles Henry Cooper grew up in a segregated America, where opportunities for Black athletes were scarce. That didn’t stop him from making his presence known in the world of basketball. Cooper played at Westinghouse High School before playing at historically Black West Virginia State College, and his talent was undeniable. 

Once he transferred to Duquesne University, he became a collegiate sensation — leading Duquesne to national prominence, averaging double figures and becoming one of the first Black All-Americans. That didn’t mean he would be a shoo-in for the NBA.

The newly formed NBA had yet to integrate, and Black players were confined mainly to independent leagues or the Harlem Globetrotters. That all changed on April 25, 1950, when the Boston Celtics selected Cooper with the 14th overall pick in the second round. When Celtics owner Walter Brown was asked if he was sure about drafting a Black player, his response was simple yet powerful: “I don’t care if he’s striped, plaid, or polka-dot. Boston takes Charles Cooper of Duquesne.”

It’s a beautiful sentiment, but that didn’t mean Cooper’s historic integration into the NBA would be pleasant. Traveling through segregated cities, Cooper often couldn’t stay in the same hotels or eat at the same restaurants as his white teammates. He endured racial slurs from fans and opposing players, but he never backed down.

On the court, Cooper was a force. At 6’5, he was a versatile forward known for his defensive tenacity, rebounding, and all-around game. His rookie season saw him average 9.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game—impressive numbers considering the era’s style of play. He spent four seasons in the NBA, playing for the Celtics, Milwaukee Hawks, and Fort Wayne Pistons before finishing his career with the Harlem Magicians.

As the first Black player in the NBA, Cooper was also the first to understand the opportunity gave him a platform and means to help his community. After retiring, he earned a master’s degree and dedicated his life to public service. He worked for the city of Pittsburgh in various roles, helping young Black men and women find employment and educational opportunities. His legacy wasn’t just about opening doors in basketball—it was about making fundamental, lasting changes in society.

Cooper’s contributions were largely overlooked for decades, but in 2019, the recognition he deserved finally arrived. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a long-overdue honor cementing his place in history.

Today, every time a young Black athlete hears their name called on draft night, they owe a debt to Chuck Cooper. He walked so they could soar. His journey reminds us that progress often starts with one bold step, and because of him, the NBA—and sports as a whole—will never be the same.

Chuck Cooper wasn’t just a basketball player. He was a pioneer, a leader, and a legend.