| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1907-08-30)August 30, 1907 Newark, Delaware, U.S. |
| Died | December 19, 1980(1980-12-19) (aged 73) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Philadelphia Central |
| Playing career | 1925–1945 |
| Position | Center |
| Career history | |
| 1925–1928 | Philadelphia Panthers |
| 1926–1927 | Philadelphia Giants |
| 1926–1927 | Philadelphia Scholastics |
| 1929–1941 | New York Rens |
| 1940–1945 | Washington Bears |
| Career highlights | |
| |
| Basketball Hall of Fame | |
Charles Theodore "Tarzan"Cooper (August 30, 1907 – December 19, 1980) was an American professionalbasketball player and coach who is enshrined in theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He is best known for his time with the all-Black professionalNew York Renaissance.[1]
After playing atPhiladelphia Central High School inPennsylvania, Cooper turned pro in 1925. He played for thePhiladelphia Panthers andPhiladelphia Saints until 1929 when he joined theNew York Renaissance or Rens for eleven seasons.[2] All were independent teams because the early professional leagues were all-white.[citation needed]
In1939, he won theWorld Professional Basketball Tournament with the Rens[3] and again in1943 with theWashington Bears, which he coached and consisted of many former New York Rens players.[4][5][6]
At 6 ft 4 in (193 cm),[7] Cooper has been called the greatestcenter that ever played byHall of FamerJoe Lapchick, center for the rivalOriginal Celtics.[8]
Cooper died at age 73 inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, from natural causes.[9][10]
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