Spartan Braves
From Hoopedia
The Spartan Braves (sometimes called the Spartan Hornets) were originally a Brooklyn-based African American team begun by Robert Douglas, in 1903. They initially played in the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA), but also traveled as far as Pittsburgh and Chicago to play the top teams of the day, such as the Loendi Big Five and Forty Club.
Their home court was Young's Casino, at 131st Street and Park Avenue in Manhattan.
In 1921 the MBA ordered the Braves to refrain from playing Frank Forbes and Leon Monde becuase they had played professional sports over the summer. The Braves eventually left the MBA to become an entirely professional team.
In 1923 Douglas struck a deal with the Renaissance Casino in Harlem to host the team. As a result, the team was renamed the "New York Renaissance," more often known as "the Rens."
Team Personnel
- George Capers
- Robert Douglas (owner, coach, player)
- Frank Forbes
- Hobey Johnson
- Leon Monde
- J. Foster Phillips
- Charles Robinson
- Jimmy Ross
- Hilton Slocum
- Ritchie Wallace
