Born in October of 1922 in England, Arkansas, was Clifton Nathaniel. Due to his affinity for soda pop & easy going nature as a kid, Clifton quickly coined the nickname “Sweetwater.” The 20’s in the United States was a double edged sword for African Americans. It was a time when many Black musicians & artists began to achieve notoriety for their talents & accomplishments, while simultaneously, the overwhelming majority of them dealt with extreme injustices including lynchings & segregation. In search of better opportunities, Sweetwater’s family packed their bags & took the big move to Chicago, Illinois, which proved to be the right decision.
Attending Dusable High School in Chicago, Sweetwater’s athletic career took off. He quickly became a two sport star displaying unique skills in basketball & baseball. His performances on the court & field garnished so much attention that sports writers reversed his name to Clifton Nathaniel because it was easier to write in their articles. After graduating in 1942, Sweetwater headed back South and attended Xavier University in New Orleans, LA.
Now standing at a staggering 6ft 7in with the hands of a giant, Sweetwater’s athletic abilities continued to separate him from the competition. He dominated his collegiate counterparts for the entirety of his freshman campaign before being drafted to serve in the US Army. For the next three years Sweetwater served in the army and eventually fought in Europe during World War II.
When Sweetwater returned home, he immediately found his way back to sports. Joining the New York Rens, an all-black professional basketball team that toured the United States, Sweetwater’s skills once again quickly became the topic of conversation. His success landed him with the Harlem Globetrotters for the 1948-1950 seasons. Still a viable baseball player, Sweetwater starred as a first baseman for the Chicago American Giants in Negro league baseball during the Globe Trotter’s off-seasons. However it was Sweetwater’s dominate athleticism & ball handling on the court that proved to be his calling.
In May of 1950 Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton was one of the initial three black players to be drafted into the NBA. Selected by the New York Knicks, Sweetwater made his NBA debut on November 4th at the age of 27. In his rookie campaign Sweetwater was a vital part of the roster, leading the team to a NBA Finals appearance. Though the Knicks fell short in NBA’s first ever game 7 to the Rochester Royals, Sweewater’s stock quickly rose to stardom. After a spectacular season Sweetwater’s game continued to develop. Sweetwater proceeded to have a very successful NBA career. Playing 6 seasons for the Knicks and one for Detroit Pistons. Making multiple NBA
Finals Appearances & becoming an NBA ALL STAR in 1957. After retiring from the NBA in 1958, Sweetwater went to play one season in the Negroe Baseball Leauge then eventually moved back home to Chicago where he passed away in 1990 at the age of 67.
His legacy was etched into eternity as a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee in 2014. The barriers that Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton broke are undoubtedly one of the monumental moments in Sports History. Without the resilience and determination of Sweetwater, many players today would not have the opportunities and success that they currently experience.