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Photo of Charles Cooper

Charles T. Cooper

Charles "Tarzan" Cooper, a schoolboy standout at Philadelphia's Central High School, excelled at the center position for twenty professional basketball seasons. From 1924 to 1929, Tarzan starred with the Philadelphia Panthers and Philadelphia Saints. In 1929, Cooper joined the legendary New York Renaissance. For the next 11 years, Cooper directed the Rens, an all-black team, to 1,303 wins in 1,506 games. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Cooper, considered the team MVP, led the Rens to 88 straight wins and the 1939 World Professional Tournament title. The Rens' success was due in part to their precise outside shooting and Cooper's ability to pull down rebounds, start the fast break, and score from the inside. Cooper ended his career in 1944 with the Washington Bears, but not before leading the Bears to the 1943 World Pro title.

Enshrined

1977

Born

August 30, 1907 Newark, DE

Died

December 19, 1980

Professional Career

Long Island Grunman Flyers New York Rens Philadelphia Giants Philadelphia Panther Pro Washington Lichtman Bears

Career Stats

6' 4" HEIGHT
1925 FIRST YEAR AS PRO
2x WORLD PROFESSIONAL
TOURNAMENT CHAMPION