Kerner decided to trade my rights to the Chicago Stags, which sounded better to me than Tri-Cities, but the Stags folded up almost immediately.

Race wasn't an issue. My family was French, but Yorkville was a melting pot of races and cultures.

My biggest win was getting the meal money bumped from $5 to $7.

Cooper was my road roommate, and also happened to be the first African American player drafted by a National Basketball Association team.

Kerner decided to trade my rights to the Chicago Stags, which sounded better to me than Tri-Cities, but the Stags folded up almost immediately.

That seemed to be the case with most of the teams based in the smaller towns - the fans were more rabid, and they wanted to literally kill the opposition.

Bob Brannum was my body guard on the court. He was 6'-6 and built like a bulldog.