Major A. Hart, Black Basketball Pioneer, Killed In 1927 Chasing Bootleggers

By On · Add Comment · In Business, Community, History

Black Fives Era basketball pioneer Major A. Hart

After basketball, Hart became a Federal Prohibition Agent.

Black Fives Era pioneer Major A. Hart met sudden death on July 16, 1927, nearly a decade after retiring from basketball, while fulfilling his duties as a Federal Prohibition Agent.

He died during a high-speed car chase while pursuing bootleggers on a lonely back road near Buffalo, New York.

The vehicle Hart was driving crashed into a ditch and he was crushed when the car overturned, killing him instantly according to accounts.

In 1910, Hart had formed the professional New York All Stars. The All Stars were the first African American play-for-pay basketball team.

Hart and the All Stars paved the way for professionalism among black basketball teams.

If you think there’s more to this story, you’re right.

But you can’t find out about it anywhere but here.

So, please stay tuned!

Tagged with → • • • • • • • •