Clarence "Fats" Jenkins
Clarence “Fats” Jenkins spent most of his career with Harlem’s famed New York Renaissance. The Rens dominated professional basketball during the Black Fives Era, and Jenkins captained the team for 15 seasons starting in 1925. Jenkins was quick, fast, and a little undersized to jump center, but at five-feet-seven inches, Fats soared over players more than a half foot taller to win the tap. He was quite simply one of the greatest athletes of his era. Jenkins played for several outstanding outfits during his long career including the St. Christopher Club, the Loendi Big Five, and the New York Incorporators. In those years, Jenkins won eight consecutive championships when basketball was played in a segregated system. He was the floor general, and shared headlines with Original Celtic Nat Holman, and teammates Tarzan Cooper and Pop Gates. In 1939, Jenkins was in the twilight of his career when the Rens outlasted all comers in the inaugural World Professional Basketball Tournament. Jenkins and the Rens were finally world champions of a game that would soon say goodbye to segregation.
Enshrined
2021Born
January 10, 1898 New York City, NYDied
December 06, 1968Professional Career
Baltimore Black Sox Brooklyn Eagles Brooklyn Royal Giants New York Black Yankees New York Harlem Stars New York Lincoln Giants New York Rens Philadelphia Stars Pittsburgh CrawfordsCareer Stats
NEW YORK RENS
THE NEW YORK RENS
