Harry “Bucky” Lew

Harry “Bucky” Lew leapt over pro basketball’s color wall in 1902 and continued to integrate every single role in the game over the next 25 years. He was the first Black player, coach, manager, referee, and franchise owner in otherwise white leagues. While his accomplishments were well documented in the newspapers of his day, Lew has largely been forgotten. Why? His true legacy—the assist he gave the Dodgers in finding a home for their first Black players in the US and the full integration of all major league sports that soon followed—has only recently been rediscovered. Early basketball was already a rough game and playing in the Jim Crow era meant it was even worse for him. No one suffered more injuries and indignities. Covering his entire sporting career, this book demonstrates how Lew persevered and triumphed over adversity to provide a shining example for those who would later integrate other sports.

Chris Boucher is a lifelong basketball fan and resident of Lowell, Massachusetts.

Chris Boucher
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages:
Bibliographic Info: ca. 20 images, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2025
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9784-0
eISBN: 978-1-4766-5795-0
Imprint: McFarland