Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton was one of the first African Americans to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a star with the New York Knicks in the 1950s and a trailblazer for racial integration in professional sports. But his life and career came to an abrupt end on August 31, 1990, when he died of a heart attack while working as a cab driver in Chicago. His death was a tragic loss for the basketball community and a reminder of the challenges he faced as a black athlete in a predominantly white league.
Early Life and Career
Clifton was born in England, Arkansas, on October 13, 1922, as Clifton Nathaniel. He got the nickname “Sweetwater” as a boy because of his love of soft drinks and his easygoing personality. His family moved to Chicago when he was eight, where he attended DuSable High School and excelled in basketball and baseball. He reversed his two names when sportswriters complained that the last name Nathaniel was too long to fit in their headlines.
After graduating from high school in 1942, he went to Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. He then joined the US Army and fought in Europe during World War II. After the war, he joined the New York Rens, an all-black professional basketball team that toured the country. He was noted for his large hands, which required a size 14 glove, and his exceptional ball-handling ability. He was invited to join the Harlem Globetrotters in 1948, where he entertained crowds with his skills and humor. He also played baseball for the Chicago American Giants in the Negro Leagues in 1949.
Breaking Barriers in the NBA
In 1950, Clifton made history by becoming the second African American player to sign an NBA contract, after Chuck Cooper of the Boston Celtics. He was also the first black player to sign with the New York Knicks, one of the most popular and prestigious teams in the league. He made his debut on November 4, 1950, four days after Earl Lloyd of the Washington Capitols became the first black player to appear in an NBA game. Clifton scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in his first game, and averaged 8.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in his rookie season. He helped the Knicks reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, where they lost to the Minneapolis Lakers in seven games.
Clifton faced racism and discrimination both on and off the court, as he was often taunted, fouled, and denied service at hotels and restaurants. He also had to endure a lower salary than his white teammates, despite being one of the team’s best players. He never complained or retaliated, but instead focused on playing hard and winning games. He was a fan favorite in New York, where he was known for his hustle, rebounding, and defense. He was also respected by his peers, who voted him to the 1957 NBA All-Star Game, where he scored eight points in 23 minutes. He was the oldest player in NBA history to be named to his first All-Star team, at age 34.
Clifton played seven seasons with the Knicks, helping them reach the NBA Finals three times. He was traded to the Detroit Pistons in 1957, where he played one more season before retiring in 1958. He finished his NBA career with averages of 10 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He appeared in 544 games, scoring 5,444 points. He was also one of the first black players to coach in the NBA, serving as an assistant for the Pistons in 1958.
Post-Basketball Life and Legacy
After retiring from basketball, Clifton had two more stints in sports. He played baseball for the Detroit Clowns in 1958, and basketball for the Chicago Majors of the American Basketball League in 1961. He then worked as a taxi driver in Chicago for the rest of his life, supporting himself and his wife, Joan, who died in January 1990. They had four children.
On August 31, 1990, Clifton was found dead in his cab, having suffered a heart attack. He was 67 years old. His death was mourned by the basketball community, who remembered him as a pioneer and a legend. He was honored by the Associated Black Charities of New York City, who named their Black History Maker Award after him. He was also inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014, as a contributor to the game.
Clifton’s legacy lives on as one of the first black players to break the color barrier in the NBA, and as one of the best players in Knicks history. He paved the way for future generations of black athletes to play in the NBA and other professional sports. He also inspired many people with his courage, dignity, and talent. He was a true example of a sweetwater.
