Before 1948, professional basketball was comprised of exclusively white athletes. This all changed following the game

shifting matchup between the Globetrotters and the Lakers, defending champions of the professional basketball league. Through The First Five, we will look to showcase the origin of the Globetrotters while building up to the highlight game in 1948. In the final second of the game, off of a buzzer beating shot, the Globetrotters shocked the world by defeating the Lakers in overtime, proving their undeniable worth. It is because of this game that American eyes finally took notice of what Black athletes could do on the court. This altered the history of the NBA forever, opening the door into professional basketball. 'The First Five' Black athletes to join the NBA were each a member of the game changing, Globetrotters.