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The Playbook:
Learn About Black History in the NBA
The NBA celebrates Black history through reflection and action that honors this community’s past, present and future. Many aspects of the league are “Built by Black History,” and our future is being shaped by the on-and off-the-court contributions of Black players, coaches, employees and fans across the league, America and the diaspora.
During Black History Month, we are committed to celebrating legacy and redoubling our collective commitment to create a more diverse and equitable future.
Journey through the "Playbook" to learn more about Black history in the NBA and test your basketball knowledge along the way. Answer all the questions correctly to be entered to win an NBA Black History Month prize!
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Built By Black History
1950
A monumental year in
The NBA
Chuck Cooper was the first Black player to be drafted by an NBA team. He was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 14th pick of the 1950 NBA Draft.
Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton was the first Black player to sign an NBA contract. He was signed by the New York Knickerbockers.
On October 31, 1950, Earl Lloyd, a member of the Washington Capitols, became the first Black player to compete in an NBA game.
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Built By Black History
1957-1958
Who was the first
African-American player to receive the NBA MVP Award?
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Built By Black History
1966
That is
Incorrect!
Bill Russell was the first (1957-58 season) and was a trailblazer in many ways. He won 5 MVPs during his NBA career and then went on to be the NBA's first Black head coach. The Boston Celtics hired Bill in 1966.
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Built By Black History
1966
That is
Correct!
Bill Russell was a trailblazer in many ways. He won 5 MVPs during his NBA career and then went on to be the NBA's first Black head coach. The Boston Celtics hired Bill in 1966.
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Built By Black History
1970s
Impact on and off
The Court
The impact of Black leaders in the NBA was felt on and off-the-court in the 1970s. People such as Wayne Embry made history as the NBA’s first Black general manager. The Milwaukee Bucks hired Embry in 1972.
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Built By Black History
1970s
What Year did
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar capture his first NBA MVP Award?
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Built By Black History
1971
That is
Incorrect!
Kareem captured his first MVP Award in 1971 and went on to build a historic legacy as a player and social justice advocate. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1995.
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Built By Black History
1971
That is
Correct!
Kareem captured his first MVP Award in 1971 and went on to build a historic legacy as a player and social justice advocate. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1995.
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Built By Black History
Career Impact
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s
Social Justice Legacy
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is also a social justice advocate. The NBA recently created "the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award." This is an annual honor that recognizes a current NBA player for pursuing social justice and upholding the league’s values of equality, respect and inclusion. The recipient advances Kareem's mission to drive change, inspires others to reflect on injustice and takes collective action in their communities.
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Built By Black History
2021
Which one of the following players
won the inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award?
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Built By Black History
Present Day
That is
Correct!
Carmelo Anthony won the inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award during the 2020-21 season and Reggie Bullock won for 2021-22 season.
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Built By Black History
Present Day
That is
Incorrect!
Carmelo Anthony won the inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award during the 2020-21 season and Reggie Bullock won for 2021-22 season.
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Built By Black History
Present Day
NBA Commitment
to HBCUs
In 2021 the NBA extended its ongoing commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with new programs designed to create greater opportunity for students and alumni, encourage economic advancement and further celebrate their rich traditions.
The first-ever NBA HBCU Classic was held during the 2022 NBA All-Star game in Cleveland. Howard University and Morgan State University's men's basketball teams competed in the match-up and Howard was the champion. Grambling State University and Southern University men's basketball teams are competing in the 2023 NBA HBCU Classic during NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah this February.
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Built By Black History
Moment in History
Willis Reed
attended which HBCU?
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Built By Black History
Present Day
That is
Incorrect!
Willis Reed attended Grambling State University.
HBCU engagement, advancing equity and justice, and community impact continue to be priorities across the NBA family. These priorities are exhibited on the NBA Black History Month warm-up shirt being worn by all players throughout February. The shirt features the phrase “Built by Black History” on the front and a series of graphics on the back that include:
Justice - Represents the ongoing struggle for equal justice under the law.
Vote - Is a call to action for the critical need to expand voting access and voting rights.
Oct. 31, 1950- 21-year-old Earl Loyd became the first Black player to compete in an NBA game
during the season opener for the Washington Capitals.
Support Black Businesses - Staying true to Dr. King’s mission to expand economic opportunity in the Black community.
HBCU - Stands for education and highlights the first institutions of higher education available to Black students.
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Built By Black History
Present Day
That is
Correct!
HBCU engagement, advancing equity and justice, and community impact continue to be priorities across the NBA family. These priorities are exhibited on the NBA Black History Month warm-up shirt being worn by all players throughout February. The shirt features the phrase “Built by Black History” on the front and a series of graphics on the back that include:
Justice - Represents the ongoing struggle for equal justice under the law.
Vote - Is a call to action for the critical need to expand voting access and voting rights.
Oct. 31, 1950- 21-year-old Earl Loyd became the first Black player to compete in an NBA game
during the season opener for the Washington Capitals.
Support Black Businesses - Staying true to Dr. King’s mission to expand economic opportunity in the Black community.
HBCU - Stands for education and highlights the first institutions of higher education available to Black students.
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Thanks for journeying in
the NBA Black History Month Playbook!
If you earned a perfect trivia score, you'll be entered to win an NBA Black History Month shirt by sharing your contact info! Click here for entry rules.
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Thank you
For Learning!