Nat Clifton
From Hoopedia
Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton was the first African American to sign a contract with a National Basketball Association team and play in the NBA. (Harold Hunter signed a contract with the Washington Capitols on April 26, 1950, but was cut during training camp.) He debuted for the Knicks in 1950. Legend has it he was given the nickname of "Sweetwater" as a boy because of his love of soft drinks. Clifton was born on October 13, 1922 and died on August 31, 1990.
Earl Lloyd, Chuck Cooper, and Clifton entered the NBA in 1950 and became pioneers. Cooper was the first African-American to be drafted by an NBA team (the Boston Celtics). Clifton was the first to sign an NBA contract, by the New York Knicks. And on October 31, 1950, Lloyd, a member of the Washington Capitols, became the first African-American to play in an NBA game.
Sweetwater played eight seasons for the Knicks and the Detroit Pistons, averaging 10.0 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. He played in the 1957 NBA All-Star team at 34 years, 3 months becoming the oldest first-time All-Star in NBA history. Sweetwater Clifton also played for the New York Rens and the Harlem Globetrotters. He played professional baseball with the Chicago American Giants in the Negro League.
There is a film in production chronicling his life, entitled, Sweetwater.
