History, sports and art collided at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Monday, February 4, when 30 fourth and fifth graders from P.S. 282 in Park Slope stopped by to help unveil photographs of Brooklyn’ Black Fives – the early-20th Century African-American basketball league – that now hang in the sports complex’s main concourse.
The grade-schoolers were greeted by Brooklyn Nets guard C.J. Watson, Black Fives Foundation founder Claude Johnson, and descendants of the Black Fives team. Watson and Johnson gave the kids some background on the Black Fives and then taught them the basketball rules that were in play a century ago.
Johnson explained that “the men and women who played during the Black Fives era were true basketball pioneers who opened doors for generations of African-American players” and “the success of these teams ushered in the Harlem Renaissance period, smashed the color barrier in pro basketball, and helped pave the way for the Civil Rights Movement.”
The six large photographs will be officially unveiled to the public on February 10 at the Brooklyn Nets vs. San Antonio Spurs game. The Black Fives team will be honored during a special half-time presentation at center court, which is just one part of Barclays’ celebration of Black History Month.
“As professional basketball once again comes to life in Brooklyn, it’s a perfect moment to recognize the men and women who showed incredible commitment to the sport by being among the borough’s first players,” added Bruce Ratner, developer and majority owner of Barclays Center.
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