Charles B. Black


Charles Bradford Black Jr. was an American professional basketball player and a four-time All-American at the University of Kansas. Black was also a decorated war hero.

College career (1941–1943, 1945–1947)

Born in Arco, Idaho, Black graduated from Southwest High School in Kansas City, Missouri in 1940.
Black first attended the University of Wisconsin, as a freshman. studying agriculture, before he moved back to Kansas City. He then played collegiately as a forward for the University of Kansas under Coach Phog Allen. He played from 1941-1943 before enlisting in the military during WWII and returned to play for Kansas from 1945-1947. In his first season, Black led Kansas to a 17-5 season and in his second season, alongside Ray Evans, Black led Kansas to their fourth-consecutive Big Six Conference Championship and a 22-6 record. At Kansas, he was a two-time consensus first-team All-American and a four time All-American.
After his military service, Black averaged 16.3 points playing alongside Otto Schnellbacher, as Kansas finished 19-2. Black earned his third All-American honor, and also led the Big Six conference in scoring. Black’s senior year. Kansas finished 16-11 record, with Black averaging 11.3 points.
Black was the first player in KU history to score 1,000 career points. He was a member of three Big 6 Conference championship teams. The 1943 team is regarded as one of the greatest in KU's history.
In his career at Kansas, Black played in 87 games, averaging 12.4 points per game.

Professional career (1947–1952)

He played for the Indianapolis Jets, Fort Wayne Pistons, Anderson Packers and Milwaukee Hawks in the NBA for 136 games.
In his NBA career he averaged 9.2 points, 2.4 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 136 games from 1948-1952.

War hero

Black flew 51 flying missions over Nazi occupied Europe during World War II, as a P-38 reconnaissance pilot. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Personal

Black worked as a farmer in Kansas and at a welding company, before retiring to Rogers, Arkansas in 1984. He died on December 22, 1992, at the age of 71 and was present to see his number retired by Kansas shortly before his death.

Honors

Regular season

Playoffs