All-American uniform worn by Chuck Cooper

A standout player at Westinghouse High School before being drafted into the Navy, Cooper served in World War II. After the War, Cooper became an All-American at Duquesne University and made history when the Boston Celtics selected him in the 1950 NBA Draft. The first African American to be drafted, he joined two other players in integrating the league that year. After a successful NBA career, Cooper continued to break barriers, becoming the first African American department head in city government, serving as director of parks and recreation. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.