Nat Clifton

Nathaniel " Sweetwater" Clifton (born the October 13rd 1922, deceased the August 31st 1990) was an American athlete multi-sports known as being the first Afro-américain to sign a contract for the National Basketball Association.

Born with Little Rock, Arkansas, it was born Clifton Nathaniel. The nickname of " Sweetwater" he was given because of its passion for sodas. Its family moved with Chicago, Illinois, when he became a famous player of Baseball to the college. However, it was with the Basket-ball that Clifton will make its career. It went to the Xavier University off Louisiana and was used then for the United States Army, fighting for its country in Europe during the second world war.

After the war, Sweetwater Clifton joined the New York Rens, a team of professional basketball entirely black which made the turn of the United States. Noticed for its large hands, after one season, it was invited to join the Harlem Globetrotters with which it played of the autumn 1947 until spring 1950. Talented player of baseball (first base), during the intersaison of basketball in 1949, Clifton played for the Chicago American Giants in Negro League. In 1950, its performance with Globetrotters, in particular its exceptional agility ball in hand, enabled him to become the first player Afro-American to sign a contract with a team NBA.

It was already 27 years old when it made its beginnings at the New York Knicks, at the time of its first season, Clifton helped to lead the team to her first finales NBA. During its eight seasons in NBA, Clifton carried out averages of 10 points and 9 rebounds per match. It was named in the team of the AlStar Range, scorant 8 points of 23 minutes in the match. At the 34 years age, he became the oldest player of the history of the NBA to being named with the AlStar Range.

In 1957, Clifton was recipient of a transfer of several players between Knicks and the Detroit Pistons, but after one season with Detroit, it withdraws basketball. At the summer 1958, it joined the Detroit Clowns, a team of baseball of Negro Leagues, in company of its former fellow-member of Harlem Globetrotters Reece " Goose" Tatum.

In 1961, it continued one season with the Chicago Majors of the American Basketball League (ABL). After the league was dissolved in 1962, Clifton, 40 years old, was withdrawn for good.

The contribution of Clifton at its community during its sporting career was recognized by the Associated Black Charities of New York City. They honoured it by naming one with the " Black History Maker Awards" the " Trophy Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton." In 2005, the New York Knicks renamed their monthly magazine " City Spirit Award" in its honor. " The Sweetwater Clifton City Spirit Award" is given to a member of the community contributing a share to the improvement of the third world.

Random links: