Charles "Tarzan" Cooper
From Hoopedia
Charles T. "Tarzan" Cooper (August 30, 1907 – December 19, 1980) was an American professional basketball player. He is mostly known for his time with the New York Renaissance (1929–41).
Cooper was born in Newark, Delaware. After playing at Philadelphia Central High School, Cooper turned pro in 1925. He played for the Philadelphia Panthers and Philadelphia Giants, two Independent League teams, until 1929, when joined the famous NY Rens. At 6' 4" (1.9 m), 215 lbs. (97.5 kg), Cooper has been called the greatest center that ever played by fellow Hall of Famer Joe Lapchick. He was a member of many great Renaissance Five squads, including the one that won the 1939 World Professional Basketball Tournament in which Cooper was named tournament MVP. In 1943 he won another World Professional Tournament championship when the Rens entered as the Washington Bears. In his 11 years with the Rens the team amassed a record of 1,303-203.
Cooper died at age 73 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Charles T. Cooper was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1977.
