Pop Gates facts for kids
Gates, circa 1952
|
|
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 30, 1917 Decatur, Alabama |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | December 1, 1999 (aged 82) New York City, New York |
| High school | Benjamin Franklin (Harlem, New York) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1937–1938 | New York Harlem Yankees |
| 1938–1941, 1942–1946 |
New York Renaissance |
| 1941–1946 | Washington Licthman Bears |
| 1941–1944 | Grumman Flyers |
| 1944–1945 | Rochester |
| 1944–1946 | Long Island Grumman Hellcats |
| 1945–1946 | Chicago Monarchs |
| 1946–1947 | Tri-Cities Blackhawks |
| 1947–1949 | New York Rens |
| 1949 | Dayton Rens |
| 1949–1950 | Scranton Miners |
| 1950–1957 | Harlem Globetrotters |
| 1951–1952 | New York Celtics |
| As coach: | |
| 1949 | Dayton Rens |
| 1950–1955 | Harlem Globetrotters |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
William Penn "Pop" Gates (born August 30, 1917 – died December 1, 1999) was an American professional basketball player. He is remembered for being one of the first African-American players in the National Basketball League (NBL). He also played for and coached the famous Harlem Globetrotters.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Pop Gates was born in Decatur, Alabama. He grew up and went to high school in New York, New York. During his time at Franklin High School, he was a very talented basketball player.
He earned "All-Conference" honors in both 1937 and 1938. In 1938, he was also named to the "All-City first team." He even won three "All-City" titles with his YMCA teams. Pop Gates went straight from high school to playing professional basketball.
Breaking Barriers in Basketball
Pop Gates began his professional basketball career in 1938 with the New York Renaissance team. He made history in October 1946 when he joined the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. This was a big step for professional basketball.
Gates and another player, William "Dolly" King, were the first two African-American players in the National Basketball League (NBL). This happened seven months before Jackie Robinson played his first game in baseball. Gates said it was a "real highlight" of his career to be accepted into the NBL.
A Champion's Journey
Pop Gates had a unique path in basketball. He went directly from winning a high school championship with Benjamin Franklin in 1938 to winning a world professional championship with the New York Rens in 1939. This was a rare achievement for any player.
Later in his career, Gates played for and also coached the famous Harlem Globetrotters. He was a player-coach for the Globetrotters from 1950 to 1955. His career showed his amazing skill and leadership in the sport.
Recognized for Greatness
Pop Gates's contributions to basketball were honored many years later. In 1989, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This is one of the highest honors a basketball player can receive. It recognized his important role in the history of the sport.
See also
In Spanish: Pop Gates para niños
