Sonny Boswell facts for kids
| Guard | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 19, 1919 Greenville, Mississippi |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | October 19, 1964 (aged 45) Chicago, Illinois |
| High school | Scott (Toledo, Ohio) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Listed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career history | |
| 1937–1938 | Jesse Owens Olympians |
| 1938–1941 | Harlem Globetrotters |
| 1941–1943 | New York Rens |
| 1942–1943 | Chicago Studebaker Flyers |
| 1943–1944 | Harlem Globetrotters |
| 1944–1945 | New York Rens |
| 1945–1946 | Chicago Monarchs |
| 1945–1946 | Anderson Chiefs |
| 1946–1947 | Dayton Mets |
| 1947–1948 | Ciralsky Meat Packers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
Wyatt "Sonny" Boswell (born May 19, 1919 – died October 19, 1964) was an important early African American professional basketball player. He was born in Greenville, Mississippi, and grew up in Toledo, Ohio. There, he went to Scott High School. Sonny Boswell was known for his amazing skills on the court.
Contents
Early Life and Basketball Start
Sonny Boswell started his basketball journey in Ohio. He played for the Jesse Owens Olympians in 1937 and 1938. This was just the beginning of his professional career.
Joining the Harlem Globetrotters
Sonny Boswell became famous for playing with the Harlem Globetrotters. He played for them from 1939 to 1941. He later returned to the team from 1943 to 1944. The Globetrotters were known for their exciting style of play.
His Unique Skills
Boswell was especially known for his incredible long-distance trick shots. He loved to entertain the fans with these shots. Abe Saperstein, who managed the Globetrotters, said Boswell was "one of the great long shot artists of his day." This shows how special his shooting ability was.
Winning a Big Tournament
In 1940, Sonny Boswell helped his team win a major championship. He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the World Professional Basketball Tournament. In the championship game, the Globetrotters won 31–29 against the Chicago Bruins. Boswell scored eleven points in that important win.
Playing in Other Leagues
Sonny Boswell also played for other professional teams. During the 1942–43 season, he joined the Chicago Studebaker Flyers. This team was part of the National Basketball League (NBL).
Breaking Barriers
At that time, the NBL was mostly made up of white players. Boswell was one of the first African American players to join the league. He and other former Globetrotters helped fill spots. Many players had left to serve in World War II. This was an important step for African American athletes in professional basketball.
Other Teams He Played For
Throughout his career, Boswell played for several other teams. These included the New York Renaissance (also known as the New York Rens) and the Chicago Monarchs. He was a very active player in the early days of professional basketball.
Life After Basketball
After his basketball career ended, Sonny Boswell settled down in Chicago, Illinois. He started a new chapter in his life.
Business Ventures
In Chicago, he first managed the Pershing Hotel. Later, he opened his own business. It was a bowling alley called Sonny Boswell's South Park Bowl. This showed his entrepreneurial spirit.
His Passing
Sonny Boswell passed away on October 19, 1964. He was 45 years old. He died from a heart attack. He left behind a legacy as a talented and pioneering basketball player.
