The NBA as an organization has helped countless basketball players in its 72 years of existence. The NBA athletes are able to earn a ‘decent man’s living’ for themselves and their families irrespective of their race or religion. However, it wasn’t always like that outside the NBA.

In a recent interview with an NBA legend, a 72-year-old HoF opens up about the one ‘fear’ that drove him out of his birthplace.

Why did 72-year-old HoF leave his birthplace?

The NBA was formed in 1946 and was racially integrated by 1950. It paved the way for many future African-American NBA legends to make a name for themselves and earn a good living. But the U.S.A as a country was still experiencing extreme racism in 1950.

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In an interview, HoF Kevin Garnett asks 72-year-old HoF Spencer Haywood what is the secret to his charisma and Haywood replies, “Detroit.”. The 72-year-old HoF then opens up about why he left his birthplace, Silver City, Mississippi. He said, “I had to leave Mississippi because if I stayed there, I would’ve been relegated to the cotton fields. I come from a place called Silver City, Mississippi. And there ain’t no silver and there ain’t no city. Just cotton fields.”.

Spencer Haywood explained, “And so when I got to Detroit, they dedicated me and recharged my whole life. Will Robinson saw me as this prized package and he was the first NC2A division 1st black coach in this Troy of NC2A. He saw me at age 15 and said, “I’m going to make this guy into a champion.”.

Spencer Haywood played high school college basketball in Detroit. He attended Trinidad State College for one year before he moved to the University of Detroit Mercy to complete his studies. After achieving everything he set out to achieve at the school and college level, he decided to play in the ABA in 1969. He was the Rookie of the Year and the MVP in his only season in the ABA. He was an extremely good basketball player, who went on to become a decorated NBA player. However, he changed to the NBA for an entirely different reason.

How Spencer Haywood changed the NBA

Winning the MVP award in his rookie season in the ABA after averaging an incredible 30.0 PPG and 19.5 RPG, he set the ABA’s all-time record. When he looked to transition to the NBA, however, he faced some major problems.

A 21-year-old Spencer Haywood’s college class did not graduate until the next year and so, his being drafted into an NBA team went against the then-NBA rules. The Seattle SuperSonics showed keen interest in drafting Spencer Haywood but the NBA front office opposed it.

The NBA eventually took Spencer Haywood and the Seattle SuperSonics to the Supreme Court. Since he was the sole earner in his family, he was considered as a “hardship case” and earned the right to earn a living. The court ruled in favor of Spencer Haywood, forever altering the world of professional sports.

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He was a 5x NBA All-Star who made two All-NBA first teams and two All-NBA second teams. He made the most out of his basketball career and always seems grateful whenever asked a question about his basketball career.

What are your thoughts on Spencer Haywood’s inspiring life? Let us know in the comments below!