Basketball in Boston is not over by a long shot! Learn about the earliest integrator of the game, Bucky Lew, who led teams in and around the city over 100 years ago, at the MAAH this Saturday, June 6. Lew's granddaughter Wendy Johnson will be on hand for the Q&A! www.eventbrite.com/e/book-talk-...

I’m doing a talk in the shadow of the Garden at the West End Museum today before what should be another classic Boston-Philly game 7: www.eventbrite.com/e/harry-buck...

Bucky Lew's lasting legacy is the assist he gave the Dodgers in integrating their organization (and prompting other major leagues to soon follow) and I was happy to discuss with Mike Klinzing on a recent Hoop Heads podcast: player.captivate.fm/episode/f5c0... @mcfarland.bsky.social

Honored that the historic New York Amsterdam News ran my op-ed this morning on pre-NBA but still "Classic Pioneer" Bucky Lew! amsterdamnews.com/news/2026/02...

New on our bookshelf: Harry “Bucky” Lew: A Biography of Basketball’s First Black Professional By Chris Boucher mcfarlandbooks.com/product/Harr...

Check out my latest podcast with Chris Boucher about his new book Harry "Bucky" Lew: A Biography of the First Black Professional Basketball Player newbooksnetwork.com/harry-bucky-...

Bucky Lew, who integrated both college and pro hoops, wasn't the first rebel in his family. His great-great-grandfather, Barzillai, was a fifer and fighter in the Revolutionary War, as far back as Bunker Hill. Fittingly, he is set to be honored in Lowell, MA, next month. @revolution250.bsky.social

Bucky Lew integrated both college and pro basketball by 1903 and I was happy to provide the receipts from my new biography of the man with Paul Knepper on the latest New Books in Sports podcast! newbooksnetwork.com/harry-bucky-... @mcfarland.bsky.social @paulknepper.bsky.social

Today is the birthday of basketball pioneer Bucky Lew. Born 1/4/1884, he broke the color barrier in 1902, spent a full 25 years in the game, and integrated its every conceivable role. So thanks to Lew, hi-level ball has been close to continuously integrated since he got things rolling so long ago!

Consider: Dido Wilson, New York State League in 1907 Abraham Tischinsky & Irving Rose, Black Fives teams in the 1910s Howard Ross, Central Basketball League in 1926 Hank Williams, Midwest Basketball Conference in 1935 Chicago's World Professional Basketball Tournament, mixed teams from 1939 to 1949

The American Basketball Hall of Fame has moved its upcoming induction to April 12, 2026. Despite the delay, it's still the first Hall to enshrine Harry “Bucky” Lew, who integrated both college and pro basketball by 1903. So it’ll be worth the wait!

When the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced its class of 2025 earlier this month, the man who integrated both college and pro hoops—well over a hundred years ago—was once again left off the list. Never mind that Bucky Lew may have been the first player ever “nominated” for the Hall.

Looking forward to these sessions on the integration of sports in Boston featuring basketball's Bucky Lew, BC football's Lou Montgomery, and boxing's Marvin Hagler. And happy to know host Boston College isn't upset about Lew sweeping them 2-0 when he coached what is now UMass Lowell in 1922!

Harry “Bucky” Lew made #hoopshistory this month by integrating both professional and college basketball way back in 1903. Lew finished his rookie season as a player with a Lowell, MA, entry in the New England League and his rookie season as a coach at what is now D1 UMass Lowell.

#LarryBird was inducted into the American Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024. Will any players with Boston ties join Larry this year ... perhaps Bucky Lew?