Woody Sauldsberry
Encyclopedia
Woodrow "Woody" Sauldsberry Jr. (July 11, 1935 – September 2007) was an American
National Basketball Association
player.
Sauldsberry was born in Winnsboro, Louisiana
and graduated from Compton Union High School
where he was the star of his basketball team and then went on to attend Texas Southern University
. In 1957, he was drafted in Round 8 by the Philadelphia Warriors
(now the Golden State Warriors). The following year in 1958, he was named the league's Rookie of the Year
— the second African American
ever to win the award and becoming the lowest overall draft pick ever to win the award, a record he still holds. In 1959, he played in the NBA All-Star Game
. Later in his career he played for the St. Louis Hawks
, Chicago Zephyrs
and Boston Celtics
.
During the 1960s, Sauldsberry was part of the Harlem Globetrotters
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
player.
Sauldsberry was born in Winnsboro, Louisiana
Winnsboro, Louisiana
Winnsboro is a city in and the parish seat of Franklin Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of July 2009, the estimated city population was 4,377...
and graduated from Compton Union High School
Compton High School
Compton High School is a high school in Compton, California, part of the Compton Unified School District.-School history:The school first opened in 1896 as Compton Union High School and then later reestablished as Compton Senior High School in the 1950s after the new community college campus opened...
where he was the star of his basketball team and then went on to attend Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University is a historically black university located in Houston, Texas, United States....
. In 1957, he was drafted in Round 8 by the Philadelphia Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
(now the Golden State Warriors). The following year in 1958, he was named the league's Rookie of the Year
NBA Rookie of the Year Award
The National Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1952–53 NBA season, to the top rookie of the regular season. The winner receives the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy, which is named in honor of the Philadelphia Warriors head...
— the second African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
ever to win the award and becoming the lowest overall draft pick ever to win the award, a record he still holds. In 1959, he played in the NBA All-Star Game
1959 NBA All-Star Game
The 1959 NBA All Star Game was the ninth NBA All-Star Game.-Western Conference:Head Coach: Ed Macauley, St. Louis Hawks-Eastern Conference:Head Coach: Red Auerbach, Boston Celtics...
. Later in his career he played for the St. Louis Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
, Chicago Zephyrs
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
and Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
.
During the 1960s, Sauldsberry was part of the Harlem Globetrotters
Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theater and comedy. The executive offices for the team are currently in downtown Phoenix, Arizona; the team is owned by Shamrock Holdings, which oversees the various investments of the Roy E. Disney family.Over...
.