"It is man that makes truth great, not truth that makes man great."
-- Confucius
| |
John Isaacs,
New York Rens,
circa 1938
|
ISAACS A FINALIST!
Naismith Memorial
Basketball Hall of Fame
Names Rens Player John Isaacs
To Class of 2006 Ballot!
Final Vote April 3
First-Time Nominee Edwin B. Henderson,
"Father of Black Basketball,"
Is Left Out (This Time)
 |
|
(Greenwich, CT - February 20) On Friday the Veterans Committee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced its Finalists to be considered for enshrinement in the Class of 2006. John Isaacs, a finalist in 2005, made the list again.
 Edwin B. Henderson, the "Father of Black Basketball," was not selected as a finalist in this, his first appearance as a nominee before the Veterans Committee. His family submitted Henderson ’s nomination as a contributor. Isaacs received an automatic nomination renewal since he was a finalist last year but was not selected for enshrinement.
Only two 2006 Finalists were chosen in the Veterans category: Isaacs and contributor Ben Kerner.
The enshrinement case for Isaacs is strong. He led his Textile High School (now Charles Evans Hughes H. S.) basketball team to the New York City High School Basketball championship title in 1935, receiving All-City honors in the process.
Fresh out of high school, the 6’-1”, 190 lb. guard signed a pro basketball contract with the New York Renaissance (“Rens”) in 1936, earning the nickname “Boy Wonder.” Before signing with Rens team owner Robert "Bob" Douglas, Isaacs recalls that he first had to get permission from his mother.
Isaacs won Chicago World Professional Basketball Tournament championships with the New York Rens (1939) and with the Washington Bears (1943), one of only a handful of players to win multiple Chicago World Pro Tournament title, including Hall of Fame members William "Pop" Gates and Bobby McDermott, as well as Willie Smith, Clarence "Puggy" Bell, and Jerry Bush.
More ...
|
 |
Reprints of vintage newspaper articles involving basketball teams from the Black Fives Era.
###
|
DEMOCRACY IN SPORTS
by LEO FISCHER, Herald-American Sports Editor
(Chicago World's Championship Basketball Tournament Program, March 1944)
Sports -- an all-American democracy that recognizes neither color, race nor creed!
Out here on the basketball floor you'll find a vivid demonstration of the principles for which our boys are fighting in every corner of the globe. We don't stop to ask whether a man is white, black or yellow, whether he worships at this church or that, whether his purse is overflowing or empty. It's what he does and how he does it that counts.
 The Herald-American is proud to present for the sixth consecutive year this climax of the basketball season -- the world's championship tournament. The twelve great teams engaged in the struggle for top laurels in the sport represent the best in skill and fight. They are giving everything they have in pursuit of victory -- just as many of them will do on the battlefields of the world before victorious peace dawns once more on this embattled globe.
This tournament is symbolic in a small way of America's drive to victory. No nation can be successful in war if its people are not physically fit. Organized physical activity, such as basketball and this world's championship tournament, have prepared the way for America's amazing production miracle and the heroic might of our armed forces.
That undying spark of courage which stands off impossible odds in battle is only the extension of the last-minute rally which ends with a winning basket. The team-work which carries a giant bomber through to successful culmination of its mission is the outgrowth of the teamwork which moves the ball into position for the scoring shot.
War and sports are so closely associated that one can scarcely draw the line -- except that in one the efforts [sic] is for the team, in the other for the nation.
We feel that these tournaments and every other phase of competitive sport is well worth while. With this in mind, we dedicate the Sixth Annual World's Championship tournament to the American spirit -- VICTORY!
Editor's Note: Hmmm. That's funny. In 1944, when this piece was written, the United States military was still segregated. In fact, African American soldiers were assigned to separate units until the end of the Korean War in 1953, despite orders from President Harry Truman in 1948 to integrate the armed services.
|
|
How The Basketball Positions
Got Their Names
The player who jumped for the ball toss at center court after each made basket became known as the “center.” Centers were responsible for center jumps and roamed the floor to participate in offense and defense. Thus, centers were typically the tallest or highest leaping players available.
The center would tap the ball to a teammate, who would pass it forward to two players positioned up court on the left and right side of the opponent’s basket. These players became known as the “left forward” and the “right forward.” Forwards were responsible for scoring and offensive rebounds. Thus, the forwards were typically the most prolific scoring threats available.
More ... |
|
"For truth is precious and divine, too rich a pearl for carnal swine."
-- Samuel Butler
|
 |
NBA's Memphis Grizzlies
Feature Black Fives
During MLK Day Celebration!
The festivities included
a special exhibit of historical Black Fives Era memorabilia and artifacts, as well as an on court promotion and video tribute!
More ...
|
|
 |
|
Black Fives
on ESPN's "Classic Now"
To help celebrate Black History Month, Claude Johnson appeared on ESPN's "Classic Now" show with former New York Rens player John Isaacs and ESPN's NBA analyst, Chris Broussard.
More ...
|
|
|
|
Claude Johnson Talks To
Fifth Graders at
Basketball Hall of Fame!
In his talk on January 18, Johnson speaks about the importance of "passion" as part of the Hall of Fame's "Champions of Character" Education Series.
More ...
|
|
|
|
Black Fives Lecture At
National Liberty Museum
In Philadelphia!
Claude Johnson teamed up with Ron Thomas, author of
"They Cleared the Lane."
More ...
|
|
|
|
Johnson Talks to
Connecticut Fourth Graders!
At New Lebanon Elementary School in Greenwich, CT, the theme was "Careers in Writing and Research."
More ...
|
|
|
Retail Stores and
Corporate Accounts:
Order Your Black Fives
2007 Calendars Now!
The deadline for wholesale orders is March 15, 2006!
More ...
|
|
|
|
