Don Barksdale
Basketball player and Olympic gold medalist

Born
March 31st, 1923
102 years ago
Died
1993
32 years ago — 70 years old
Category
Athletes & Sports Figures
Country
United States
Links & References
Played for the University of California, Berkeley, contributing to the team's success. Participated in the 1948 Summer Olympics, securing a gold medal in basketball. Had a career in the National Basketball Association (NBA), playing for the Boston Celtics and the New Jersey Red Devils. Worked as a pioneer for African American athletes in professional basketball, breaking barriers in the sport during the 1940s and 1950s.
Won a gold medal at the 1948 Olympics
Played for the Boston Celtics
First African American to sign a contract in the NBA
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