Kyle Serba 04/27/10
NCCU’s Hunter First African-American to Sign NBA Contract
DID
YOU KNOW? On April 26, 1950, North Carolina College (now North Carolina
Central University) guard Harold Hunter became the first
African-American to sign an NBA contract.A day earlier, Hunter was selected by the Washington Capitols in the 10th round of the NBA Draft. He and NCC head coach John McLendon joined fellow Capitols draft pick Earl Lloyd of West Virginia State at the signing table, but McLendon cleverly made sure that his Eagle standout was the first to put pen-to-paper and make history.
Although Hunter did not get the chance to play in the NBA, he did send 17 players to the NBA while serving as head coach at Tennessee State University from 1959-68. He also was the first African-American
to
coach the U.S. Olympic Team.As part of North Carolina Central University's Centennial celebration, the NCCU Department of Athletics will post sports history facts from the institution's first 100 years to its official web site every week during the year-long observance.
(Attached photos courtesy of NCCU Archives and Records)