New York Rens
Inducted:
1963
Players
Clarence "Fats" Jenkins
Pappy Ricks
Eyre Saitch
Bill Yancey
Wee Willie Smith
Charles Tarzan
Cooper, Zack Clayton
John Isaacs
Dolly King
Pop Gates
Nat Clifton
Sonny Boswell
Head coach
Bob Douglas
The New York Renaissance, commonly known as the New York Rens, were one of the most influential teams in early professional basketball. Founded in 1923 by Robert “Bob” Douglas, the Rens were the first Black-owned, all-Black professional basketball team and became a dominant force during the Black Fives era.
The Rens achieved an extraordinary 88-game winning streak during the 1932–33 season, a professional basketball record that remains unmatched. In 1939, they won the inaugural World Professional Basketball Tournament, defeating the Oshkosh All-Stars 34–25 in the championship game. The team eventually moved to Dayton and played in the National Basketball League during the 1948–49 season before disbanding in 1949.
The 1932–33 New York Renaissance team was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1963.
Team's Awards and Honors
- World Professional Basketball Tournament Champions (1939)
- Colored Basketball World Champions
- Unmatched Winning Streak Record- 88 consecutive wins
NBA Stats
Founded:
1923
Founder/Owner/Coach:
Robert “Bob” Douglas
All-Time Barnstorming and League Record:
2,588–529
1932–33 Regular Season Record:
120–8
Consecutive Win Streak:
88 straight victories