Charles Henry Cooper
(September 29, 1926 – February 5, 1984)
He was a distinguished American professional basketball player whose legacy extends beyond the court.
Early Life and College Career:
- Charles Cooper was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Daniel and Emma Cooper.
- He attended Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh, graduating in 1944 with an impressive basketball record.
- Charles briefly played basketball for West Virginia State College before serving in the United States Navy during the final stages of World War II.
- After his military service, he enrolled at Duquesne University, where he became an All-American player.
- During his four years at Duquesne, he started every game and set a school record with 990 total points.
Breaking Barriers in College Basketball:
- Notably, Charles Cooper became the first African American to participate in a college basketball game south of the Mason–Dixon line during his time at Duquesne University.
NBA Career:
- In 1950, Charles Cooper signed with the Harlem Globetrotters after finishing college.
- He made history on April 25, 1950, by becoming the first African American to be drafted into the NBA when the Boston Celtics selected him with the 14th overall pick.
- Despite some objections from officials of other teams, Cooper’s talent and character prevailed, and he was chosen by Celtics’ owner Walter A. Brown.
- Cooper’s NBA debut took place on November 1, 1950, as a member of the Boston Celtics, coached by the legendary Red Auerbach and alongside stars like Bob Cousy.
- Over his NBA career, which spanned four years with the Celtics, he also played for the Milwaukee Hawks before concluding his professional basketball journey with the Ft. Wayne Pistons.
Career Stats:
- Throughout his NBA career, Charles Cooper played in 409 games, scoring a total of 2,725 points, averaging 6.66 points per game.
- He contributed significantly on the boards with 2,431 rebounds, averaging 5.9 per game, and also recorded 733 assists, averaging 1.79 per game.
- While some statistics, such as blocked shots, steals, or turnovers, weren’t officially tracked during his time, his impact on the game was evident.
Life After the NBA:
- Charles Cooper’s commitment to education led him to earn a Master of Social Work from the University of Minnesota in 1960.
- He was married twice, first in 1951 and again in 1957 to Irva Lee, with whom he had four children.
- Cooper continued to make significant contributions to his hometown of Pittsburgh by serving on the Pittsburgh school board.
- He was appointed as the director of parks and recreation for the city, becoming the first Black department head.
- Charles Cooper also played a pivotal role in the Pittsburgh National Bank’s affirmative action program as an urban affairs officer.
- Sadly, Charles Cooper passed away in Pittsburgh at the age of 57 on February 5, 1984, succumbing to liver cancer at Forbes Hospice.
Honors and Recognition:
- Charles Cooper’s enduring impact on the game of basketball and his community was acknowledged when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 9, 2019.