Cleo Hill

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Cleo Hill (born May 24, 1938 in Newark, New Jersey), is an American former professional basketball player who was selected by the St. Louis Hawks in the 1st round (8th overall) of the 1961 NBA Draft. A 6'1" guard from the Winston-Salem State University, Hill played in 1 NBA season with the Hawks, in 1961-62, averaging 5.5 points in 58 games.

Hill was profiled in a segment on the ESPN documentary, Black Magic, which told the story of African Americans and basketball. It was revealed that early in that 1961-62 season, white teammates Bob Pettit and Cliff Hagan approached Hawks management and complained that Hill was taking too many shots. However, this was allegedly just a cover-up for their desire to not play with an African-American teammate. Management granted their wish, telling the Hawks coach, Paul Seymour, to severely diminish Hill's offensive role. Seymour refused and was fired. Hill was later blackballed by the other NBA owners as a result.

Hill was the first African-American from an historically Black college and university to be drafted #1 by the National Basketball Association.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Biography Of A Legend: Clarence "Big House" Gaines, Winston-Salem State University, April 20, 2005, Accessed May 19, 2008.

[edit] External links


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