Nat Clifton facts for kids
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 13, 1922 England, Arkansas |
| Died | August 31, 1990 (aged 67) Chicago, Illinois |
| High school | DuSable (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Xavier (Louisiana) (1942–1943) |
| Pro career | 1945–1961 |
| Career history | |
| 1945–1947 | New York Rens |
| 1947–1950 | Harlem Globetrotters |
| 1950–1957 | New York Knicks |
| 1957–1958 | Detroit Pistons |
| 1961 | Chicago Majors |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 5,444 (10.0 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 4,469 (8.2 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,367 (2.5 apg) |
Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton (born Clifton Nathaniel; October 13, 1922 – August 31, 1990) was an American professional basketball and baseball player. He is famous for being one of the first African American players to join the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Nickname
Nat Clifton was born in England, Arkansas. When he was a boy, people started calling him "Sweetwater." This was because he loved soft drinks and had a very friendly personality. His family later moved to Chicago, Illinois. There, he became a fantastic player in both basketball and baseball at DuSable High School. He finished high school in 1942. After attending Xavier University of Louisiana, he served in the United States Army for three years during World War II in Europe.
Starting His Sports Career
After the war, Clifton joined the New York Rens. This was a professional basketball team made up of only black players. They traveled all over the United States playing games. Nat was known for his very large hands, which needed a size 14 glove!
From 1948 to 1950, he played for the famous Harlem Globetrotters. They were known for their amazing basketball skills and fun shows. During the basketball off-season in 1949, Nat also played baseball. He was a talented first baseman for the Chicago American Giants in the Negro leagues. These leagues were for black players before major league baseball was fully integrated.
Playing in the NBA
Nat Clifton's great skills, especially his ball-handling with the Globetrotters, led to a big moment in 1950. On May 24, 1950, he signed a contract with an NBA team. This made him one of the very first African American players to join the NBA. His first game for the New York Knicks was on November 4, 1950. This was just a few days after Earl Lloyd became the first black player to play in an NBA game.
Nat was 27 years old when he started in the NBA. In his first season, he helped the Knicks reach the NBA finals for the first time ever. They lost in the final game. During his eight years in the NBA, Nat averaged about 10 points and 9 rebounds per game. In 1957, he was chosen to be an NBA All-Star. He scored 8 points in that game. At 34, he was the oldest player to become an All-Star for the first time.
In 1957, Nat was traded to the Fort Wayne Pistons. After playing one season in Detroit, he decided to retire from basketball. In 1958, he played baseball again for the Detroit Clowns in the Negro leagues. His former Globetrotters teammate, Reece "Goose" Tatum, also joined him.
In 1961, Nat was convinced to play basketball again for the Chicago Majors. This team was part of a new league called the American Basketball League (ABL). The league closed down at the end of 1962. At 40 years old, Nat Clifton then retired from sports for good.
Nat Clifton passed away on August 31, 1990, in Chicago. He was 67 years old. He was buried in the Restvale Cemetery in Alsip.
Legacy and Awards
Nat Clifton was honored for his important contributions both in sports and in his community. The Associated Black Charities of New York City recognized him. They named one of their Black History Maker Awards the Nathaniel 'Sweetwater' Clifton Award.
In 2005, the New York Knicks basketball team also honored him. They renamed their monthly "City Spirit Award" after him. The Sweetwater Clifton City Spirit Award is given to someone in the community. This person goes above and beyond to make life better for others in the tri-state area.
Nat Clifton also played softball for teams like the Brown Bombers. He was inducted into the Chicago 16 Inch Softball Hall of Fame.
On February 14, 2014, Nat Clifton was announced as a new member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This is a very special honor for basketball players. He officially joined the Hall of Fame on August 8, 2014.
A movie about Nat Clifton's life, called Sweetwater, was planned since 2007. It was released on April 14, 2023.
See also
In Spanish: Nat Clifton para niños
- Race and ethnicity in the NBA
- List of African American firsts
