Jerry Harkness facts for kids
Harkness with the Loyola Ramblers c. 1963
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 7, 1940 Harlem, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | August 24, 2021 (aged 81) Indianapolis, Indiana |
| High school | DeWitt Clinton (Bronx, New York) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 175 lb (79 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Loyola Chicago (1960–1963) |
| NBA Draft | 1963 / Round: 2 / Pick: 9th overall |
| Selected by the New York Knicks | |
| Pro career | 1963–1969 |
| Career history | |
| 1963–1964 | New York Knicks |
| 1964–1967 | Twin Cities Sailors |
| 1967–1969 | Indiana Pacers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA and ABA statistics | |
| Points | 618 (7.2 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 233 (2.7 rpg) |
| Assists | 156 (1.8 apg) |
Jerald B. Harkness (born May 7, 1940 – died August 24, 2021) was an American professional basketball player. He played for the New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Indiana Pacers in the American Basketball Association (ABA). Harkness played college basketball for the Loyola Ramblers. He was the captain of the team that won the 1963 NCAA national championship. He was also a strong supporter of civil rights.
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Early Life and College Career
Jerry Harkness was born in Harlem, New York. Before becoming a professional player, he was a star at DeWitt Clinton High School. He then played college basketball at Loyola University Chicago.
At Loyola, he was considered one of the best college players in the country. He was the captain of the 1962–63 team that won the national championship. In the first game of the NCAA tournament, Loyola beat Tennessee Tech by a huge score of 111–42. This 69-point difference is still the largest winning margin in an NCAA tournament game.
In the second round, Loyola played against Mississippi State. This game is now famous as the Game of Change. At that time, many teams in the South did not play against teams with Black players because of segregation. Mississippi State bravely chose to play against Loyola, which had four Black starters. Before the game, Jerry Harkness shook hands with Joe Dan Gold, the white captain of Mississippi State. This handshake was a powerful moment in history. Harkness later said that when the flashbulbs went off, he knew it was "more than just a game." Loyola won that game. They then beat Illinois and Duke to reach the final. Loyola then upset the Cincinnati Bearcats in overtime to win the championship. Harkness and the four other Loyola starters played the entire game without any breaks.
Professional Basketball Career
After college, Jerry Harkness was chosen by the New York Knicks in the 1963 NBA draft. He played one season with the Knicks. He then spent three seasons with the Twin Cities Sailors in the NABL. In his last season there, he was named to the All-League second team. This honor helped him get a contract with the Indiana Pacers in the ABA. He played two seasons with the Pacers.
Even though his professional career was short, Harkness made history on November 13, 1967. He shot the ball from 88 feet away and scored a game-winning shot at the very last second. This shot helped the Pacers beat the Dallas Chaparrals 119–118. It was the longest shot in professional basketball for many years. It is still the longest game-winning shot ever made.
Life After Basketball
After his basketball career, Jerry Harkness continued to break barriers. He became the first African-American salesman for Quaker Oats Company. In 1970, he became the first African-American fundraiser in Indianapolis, working for the United Way. He was also Indianapolis' first African-American sportscaster at WTHR in the 1970s.
Harkness also spent a lot of his time working for civil rights. He worked with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in the early 1970s. He also served as the leader of the Indianapolis chapter of 100 Black Men. This is a national group that helps and trains young African American males.
Jerry Harkness passed away in Indianapolis on August 24, 2021, at the age of 81.
Awards and Honors
On July 11, 2013, Jerry Harkness and his former Loyola teammates met with President Barack Obama at the White House. They celebrated the 50th anniversary of their 1963 national championship. This was a special moment for the team. Their championship is still the only NCAA Division I basketball championship won by a university from Illinois.
In September 2013, Harkness and the entire 1963 Loyola Ramblers team were added to the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame. In November 2013, the team was also inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame.
Jerry Harkness also received the Muhammad Ali Athlete Award in June 2013. He is a member of the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame and the Loyola Athletics Hall of Fame.
See also
In Spanish: Jerry Harkness para niños
