Chris Boucher

As he wrote in an Around the Town column after Lew’s death in 1963: “Bucky was a Negro and in those days they didn’t like to see Negroes playing on white teams and many is the time the fans refused to let him play — not in this city though … He was a great favorite.”

Fred Dobens, who went on to become the Nashua Dodgers’ president, assured them Black players would be welcome in the city. He knew because he played at halftime of Bucky Lew’s games there in early 1920s.

It’s a little-known fact that basketball’s 1st Black pro assisted the Dodgers in reintegrating major league baseball.

After Robinson had so much trouble in Florida, they struggled to find a city to host their 1st integrated farm team in the US until they reached a newspaperman in Nashua, NH.

Interesting shot - there are literally 6 people within 5 feet of the hoop!

Bucky Lew induction card for the American Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025

The American Basketball Hall of Fame will open its doors to Bucky Lew! He'll be inducted in August along with the other members of the Class of 2025.

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame passes over Bucky Lew once more When the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced its class of 2025 earlier this month, the man who integrated both college and pro hoops.

Honored that The New York Amsterdam News ran my piece on Lew, the basketball halls of fame (yes there are two!), and basketball heaven...

Harry "Bucky" Lew and his 1902-3 Pawtucketville Athletic Club teammates. That winter, he also coached college at what as now UMass Lowell.

Gerry Finn, the Springfield Union reporter who interviewed Lew just before it opened its doors, asked way back in 1958: “When they’re handing out memberships in the Basketball Hall of Fame, how about a vote for Bucky Lew? Is there anyone in the hall who can say he doesn’t deserve it?”

When the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced its class of 2025 earlier this month, the man who integrated both college and pro hoops—well over a hundred years ago—was once again left off the list. Never mind that Bucky Lew may have been the first player ever “nominated” for the Hall.

If the NBA recognized 1949 as their actual first year, they could say they were an integrated league from the start, since as Elias points out, Leroy Chollet played for Syracuse then. But starting in 1946 makes them a segregated league, one that rebuilt the color wall Bucky Lew tore down in 1902!

Flier for April 11 sessions on race and sports at Boston College

Looking forward to these sessions on the integration of sports in Boston featuring basketball's Bucky Lew, BC football's Lou Montgomery, and boxing's Marvin Hagler. And happy to know host Boston College isn't upset about Lew sweeping them 2-0 when he coached what is now UMass Lowell in 1922!

Image of Harry "Bucky" Lew from 1903 Lowell Sun.

Harry “Bucky” Lew made #hoopshistory this month by integrating both professional and college basketball way back in 1903. Lew finished his rookie season as a player with a Lowell, MA, entry in the New England League and his rookie season as a coach at what is now D1 UMass Lowell.

Larry Bird with his Hall of Fame trophy and jacket. Image courtesy American Basketball Hall of Fame.

#LarryBird was inducted into the American Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024. Will any players with Boston ties join Larry this year ... perhaps Bucky Lew?

Albert Spalding was involved in what is likely the first instance of a corporation receiving naming rights to a stadium. The Lowell Tigers’ Fred Lake called his new baseball field “Spalding Park” after the sporting goods company. The price? Two dozen baseballs, roughly $30 at the time.

Bucky Lew, basketball’s first Black professional, passed over by the Hall of Fame once more Harry “Bucky” Lew was the first Black professional basketball player, coach, and executive, yet remains unrecognized by the Hall of Fame, despite his pioneering role and lasting impact on the sport.

for more on Lew's full career and his assist to Jackie Robinson, here's the article from Genevieve DiNatale's NewsLinkLive, it's the source of the image, the link may have been lost in the initial post... tinyurl.com/2rv4c2pp

This recognition is well deserved! And even more may be coming. Before Lew finished his rookie year, he also coached at what is now UMass Lowell. So he integrated both the college and pro games by 1903. Due to that and much more, the American Basketball Hall of Fame is inducting him this August!

the American Basketball Hall of Fame based in Detroit may have an announcement on Lew soon :)

He was also the first to integrate pro basketball as a coach, manager, referee, franchise owner, and... magnate!