Jackie Bethards facts for kids

Jackie Bethards was an amazing African American basketball player from Philadelphia before World War II. When he was a kid, he played at the Christian Street YMCA. He played with his friends Charles "Tarzan" Cooper, Zack Clayton, and Bill Yancey. They started their basketball journeys together on a team called the Tribune Men.

The "Clown Prince" of Basketball

Jackie Bethards was known for his exciting style of play. As early as 1927, he was called "the sensation" while playing for the Philadelphia Scholastics. He played alongside "Stretch" Cooper.

A few years later, in 1933, Jackie was playing for the Philadelphia Giants. His team was losing badly, 20-7. Jackie came into the game and started making "long shot after long shot." He helped his team come back and win the game 32-31. People said he was "one of the best semi-pro players" around.

By 1933, Jackie Bethards was often called the "Clown Prince of basketball." This nickname later became famous for big stars of the Harlem Globetrotters, like Goose Tatum and Meadowlark Lemon. Within a year, Jackie's nickname followed him to Chicago. There, he became a star for the Savoy Big Five. This team was also known as the Chicago Crusaders. He played with teammates like Jack Mann, Zack Clayton, and John Yancey.

Playing for the New York Rens

After his time in Chicago, Jackie Bethards joined the famous New York Rens team. He reunited with his old friends Bill Yancey and Tarzan Cooper. Jackie was a big new star for the Rens, along with David "Big Dave" DeJernett. The Rens were a legendary team.

Jackie was known for his funny and entertaining style. He would "clown and burlesque" with other players and fans. This earned him another nickname: "ShowBoat." He played for the Rens in the 1935–36 and 1936–37 seasons.

Jackie kept a good friendship with Tarzan Cooper. Cooper once talked about a game in 1928. Jackie, playing for the Philadelphia Giants, faced off against the Rens' star guard Clarence "Fats" Jenkins. Cooper said Jackie kept the ball for three minutes. He held it away from one of the greatest players ever. This helped the Giants win a close game 31-29.

In 1929, Jackie was called the Giants' brightest star. His "humorous antics" kept the crowd excited. His "all-around playing ability" was top-notch. The Giants beat the NY Rens again, 25-23.

In 1937, during one of his last games as a Ren, Jackie put on a great show. Fans cheered for him every minute he played. He was the fastest player on the court. His ball handling was amazing. He helped the Rens win 51-38 against the Art Imigs.

Jackie's Unique Style

In 1937, Chicago Defender writer Dan Burley wrote about Jackie's influence. He said other players were learning Jackie's "clown formulations." The Sheboygan Press also wrote about Jackie. They said he was the "clown of the Rens." He moved so fast that fans only saw a "dark streak" on the court.

Jackie was a true showman. He would drive his opponents crazy with his speed and tricks. He was a great shooter. But he often focused on thrilling the fans with his speed and ball handling. He left the scoring to his teammates.

Years later, in 1949, the Harlem Globetrotters visited Lowell, Massachusetts. They had just beaten the Boston Celtics and Minneapolis Lakers. People remembered Jackie Bethards' funny influence. They recalled the "trick style of ball" that Jackie's Philadelphia Colored Giants used to play.

Playing for the Washington Bears

After 1937, not much was known about Jackie's career for a few seasons. Then, in 1942, he joined the Philadelphia Toppers. He played with John Isaacs, Cooper, and Clayton.

In the 1942–43 season, Jackie also played for the Washington Bears. He played alongside Tarzan Cooper and other former New York Rens. This team won the World's Pro Championship tournament in Chicago. Jackie lived up to his reputation. He was known for holding the ball to secure wins. He helped the Bears get their 27th straight win in January 1943.

Jackie Bethards and Tarzan Cooper stayed with the Washington Bears for several years. Jackie's professional basketball career ended around 1946. He had played for two decades.

In 1960, Wilt Chamberlain, a famous player from Philadelphia, thought about retiring from the NBA. People compared Wilt to early Philly basketball stars like Jackie Bethards. They remembered Jackie as a "one-man predecessor to the Harlem Globetrotters."