Zack Clayton facts for kids
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 17, 1913 Gloucester County, Virginia |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | November 20, 1997 (aged 84) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| High school | Simon Gratz (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Zack Clayton | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First baseman | |||
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| debut | |||
| 1932, for the Philadelphia Bacharach Giants | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1945, for the Baltimore Elite Giants | |||
| Teams | |||
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Zachariah Clayton (born April 17, 1913, died November 20, 1997) was an amazing American athlete. He was famous for playing basketball with the New York Rens. He also played baseball in the Negro leagues. Later in his life, he became a professional boxing referee. In 2017, he was honored by being added to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
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Early Life and Basketball Career
Zachariah Clayton was born in Gloucester County, Virginia. When he was a boy, his family moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In Philadelphia, Zachariah started playing basketball at the Christian Street YMCA.
Playing with the Tribune Men
At the YMCA, he played with other talented athletes. These included Charles "Tarzan" Cooper, Jackie Bethards, and Bill Yancey. They formed a team called the Tribune Men. This was the start of their successful sports careers.
World Champion Teams
Clayton also played for the famous Harlem Globetrotters. He won world championships with both the New York Rens and the Harlem Globetrotters. These teams were very important in basketball history. Clayton is also in the Philadelphia Basketball Hall of Fame.
Life as a Boxing Referee
After his basketball career, Zachariah Clayton became a professional boxing referee. He was known for being fair and skilled.
Famous Fights He Refereed
He refereed many important boxing matches. His most famous fight was the 1974 "Rumble In The Jungle". This was a huge heavyweight championship fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Clayton also refereed Muhammad Ali's very last fight in 1981. This match was against Trevor Berbick.
Legacy and Honors
Zachariah Clayton was a pioneer in sports. He excelled in basketball, baseball, and boxing. His induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame shows his lasting impact. He is remembered as a true sports legend.
