Harold Hunter (basketball)
Harold Hunter Sr. entered the world on the 30th of April 1926 in Kansas City, Kansas. He walked through the doors of Sumner High School and graduated there in 1944. That school stood as the only all-black high school remaining in the city at that time. It held a top ten national ranking in science during those years. Decades later, alumni published a book called The Sumner Story to honor his career.
Hunter joined the Washington Capitols basketball team on the 26th of April 1950. This signing made him the first African American player to sign a contract with any NBA basketball team. He had been drafted during the tenth round of the 1950 NBA draft just one day prior. Training camp cut him from the roster before he could play a single professional game for them. Years later, he would return to coach the same franchise during their 1951, 52 season.
He played guard for North Carolina College located in Durham, North Carolina. His leadership helped the Central men's basketball team win the 1950 Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament championship. Hunter earned the title of most valuable player for that tournament in the same year. The university inducted him into its Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984. They retired his jersey number in 2009 to mark the institution's centennial anniversary.
Hunter became the first African American to coach the U.S. men's Olympic basketball team in 1968. He led the national squad during their tour across the Soviet Union and Europe. A victory against the Soviet national basketball team occurred in Minsk, which is part of modern-day Belarus. He also became the first African American to lead both men's and women's teams to the NAIA national tournament. These milestones broke barriers that had stood for decades within international competition.
He
began coaching Xavier University of Louisiana Gold Rush team in May 1974 following Bob Hopkins departure. The squad finished 11, 9 during the 1974, 75 season while winning his first seven games as head coach. Hunter encouraged players to repaint St. Michael's residence hall during summer break in 1975. They played an exhibition game to benefit Big Brothers of Greater New Orleans on the 8th of November 1975. His tenure ended in 1977 when Bernard Griffith took over
the program.
Up Next
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When and where was Harold Hunter born?
Harold Hunter Sr. entered the world on the 30th of April 1926 in Kansas City, Kansas.
What historic milestone did Harold Hunter achieve with the Washington Capitols?
Hunter joined the Washington Capitols basketball team on the 26th of April 1950 to become the first African American player to sign a contract with any NBA basketball team.
Which university retired Harold Hunter's jersey number and when?
North Carolina College located in Durham, North Carolina, retired his jersey number in 2009 to mark the institution's centennial anniversary.
How did Harold Hunter break barriers as an Olympic coach in 1968?
Hunter became the first African American to coach the U.S. men's Olympic basketball team in 1968 and led the national squad during their tour across the Soviet Union and Europe.
Who replaced Harold Hunter as head coach at Xavier University of Louisiana in 1977?
His tenure ended in 1977 when Bernard Griffith took over the program after leading the Gold Rush team since May 1974.