Wilbert King facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 16, 1915 Birmingham, Alabama |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | 1965 (aged 49–50) Michigan |
| High school | Pershing (Detroit, Michigan) |
| Listed height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Career information | |
| Pro career | 1935–1949 |
| Career history | |
| 1935–1936 | Central Athletic Association |
| 1941–1943 | Harlem Globetrotters |
| 1941–1942 | Trojans |
| 1943–1944 | Brewster Recreation |
| 1946–1947 | Detroit Gems |
| 1947 | Kansas City Stars |
| 1947–1949 | Harlem Globetrotters |
| Wilbert King | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Second baseman | |||
| Born: February 16, 1915 Birmingham, Alabama |
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| Died: 1965 (aged 49–50) Michigan |
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| debut | |||
| 1944, for the New York Black Yankees | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1947, for the Homestead Grays | |||
| Teams | |||
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Wilbert King (born February 16, 1915 – died 1965) was an amazing American athlete. He was special because he played two professional sports: basketball and baseball! He played baseball in the Negro leagues and basketball in the National Basketball League.
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Wilbert King: A Two-Sport Star
Wilbert King was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He went to Pershing High School in Detroit, Michigan. He became a professional athlete, which means he played sports for a living. Not many people get to play one professional sport, let alone two!
Playing Baseball in the Negro Leagues
Wilbert King played baseball as a Second baseman. He was part of the Negro leagues from 1944 to 1947. These leagues were professional baseball leagues for African American players. They existed when Black players were not allowed to play in the major leagues.
- In 1944, he played for the New York Black Yankees and the Cleveland Buckeyes.
- From 1945 to 1946, he was with the Chicago American Giants.
- In 1947, he played for the Homestead Grays.
Basketball Career Highlights
Wilbert King also had a successful career in basketball. He played as a guard. His basketball career lasted from 1935 to 1949.
- He started with the Central Athletic Association in 1935–1936.
- He played for the famous Harlem Globetrotters from 1941 to 1943 and again from 1947 to 1949. The Globetrotters are known for their amazing basketball skills and entertainment.
- He also played for the Trojans in 1941–1942 and Brewster Recreation in 1943–1944.
- In the 1946–47 season, he played in the National Basketball League for the Detroit Gems. During that season, he scored an average of 8.2 points per game. He also played for the Kansas City Stars in 1947.
A Unique Athlete
Wilbert King's ability to play both professional baseball and basketball at a high level made him a truly unique athlete of his time. He showed great skill and dedication in both sports.
