Most people know Jackie Robinson as the first African American to play in Major League Baseball; what people don't know is Jackie Robinson got his start in athletics playing for a negro basketball team called the Los Angeles Red Devils (Thomas 2). In the 1920s much of society was segregated. Basketball became an outlet for many people.
“The game millions watch today had its definite beginnings in the small town of Springfield, Massachusetts, in the mind of Dr. James Naismith” (History of Basketball 1 ). Dr. Naismith was working for the YMCA when they asked him to create a new sport in 14 days. This new sport needed to be played during the winter and indoors (History of Basketball 1). “Late at night on the final before the final day of the …show more content…
He established many things still in use today, including the concept of “travelling,” “goaltending,” fouls, and even the rule that a ball must be thrown in-bounds within five seconds” (History of Basketball 1). The YMCA was instrumental in the spreading of basketball. “Basketball's spread was helped a great deal by the YMCA itself; students who learned the game form Naismith took it across the country and even the world on Christian missions (History of Basketball 1). Basketball became popular in rough urban environments. The game became popular in these areas because of the bare necessities needed to play the game: a ball, a goal, and a court. Basketball became a way out of the …show more content…
The basketball equivalents to baseball’s Negro League were the Philadelphia Panthers, the Los Angeles Red Devils, the Washington 12 Streeters and many more, including the historic New York Renaissance (Rens)” (Thomas 2). These teams would fill casinos dance halls and other faculties that would host them. This was a great entertainment for many African Americans (Robertson 3). One of the most popular teams out of the “negro league” was the Harlem Renaissance (Thomas 2). “In 1923, a New York messenger and porter named Bob Douglas, who had been managing and promoting basketball for fifteen years, formed a new professional all-African American basketball team Called the Renaissance” (Henderson 626-627). This team out of Harlem was a enormous source of hope and inspiration to many people (Robertson 1). Once the formation of black negro leagues came into the sport in 1920’s it immediately uplifted the people of Harlem. “... [whereas basketball] is fostered by religious and other institutions working of the uplift of our people” (Robertson 1). The Harlem Renaissance quickly became the most popular negro team in the 1920s. This team helped unite the community giving African Americans in Harlem hope but also the skill made this team great. “The team was given practice and playing space by the Renaissance Casino in Harlem in return for using its
“The game millions watch today had its definite beginnings in the small town of Springfield, Massachusetts, in the mind of Dr. James Naismith” (History of Basketball 1 ). Dr. Naismith was working for the YMCA when they asked him to create a new sport in 14 days. This new sport needed to be played during the winter and indoors (History of Basketball 1). “Late at night on the final before the final day of the …show more content…
He established many things still in use today, including the concept of “travelling,” “goaltending,” fouls, and even the rule that a ball must be thrown in-bounds within five seconds” (History of Basketball 1). The YMCA was instrumental in the spreading of basketball. “Basketball's spread was helped a great deal by the YMCA itself; students who learned the game form Naismith took it across the country and even the world on Christian missions (History of Basketball 1). Basketball became popular in rough urban environments. The game became popular in these areas because of the bare necessities needed to play the game: a ball, a goal, and a court. Basketball became a way out of the …show more content…
The basketball equivalents to baseball’s Negro League were the Philadelphia Panthers, the Los Angeles Red Devils, the Washington 12 Streeters and many more, including the historic New York Renaissance (Rens)” (Thomas 2). These teams would fill casinos dance halls and other faculties that would host them. This was a great entertainment for many African Americans (Robertson 3). One of the most popular teams out of the “negro league” was the Harlem Renaissance (Thomas 2). “In 1923, a New York messenger and porter named Bob Douglas, who had been managing and promoting basketball for fifteen years, formed a new professional all-African American basketball team Called the Renaissance” (Henderson 626-627). This team out of Harlem was a enormous source of hope and inspiration to many people (Robertson 1). Once the formation of black negro leagues came into the sport in 1920’s it immediately uplifted the people of Harlem. “... [whereas basketball] is fostered by religious and other institutions working of the uplift of our people” (Robertson 1). The Harlem Renaissance quickly became the most popular negro team in the 1920s. This team helped unite the community giving African Americans in Harlem hope but also the skill made this team great. “The team was given practice and playing space by the Renaissance Casino in Harlem in return for using its