Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: New Books Network
Host: Paul Knepper
Guest: Chris Boucher
Book Discussed: Harry "Bucky" Lew: A Biography of the First Black Professional Basketball Player (McFarland, 2026)
Date: January 11, 2026

In this insightful episode, Paul Knepper sits down with Chris Boucher to discuss Boucher’s new biography of Harry “Bucky” Lew, a pioneering but little-known figure who became the first Black professional basketball player in 1902. The conversation weaves through Lew’s extraordinary, multifaceted career, the challenges of sports integration in early America, and the overlooked history of basketball in the decades before the NBA. Listeners will come away with a richer appreciation for a forgotten trailblazer whose story has profound implications for understanding the legacy of integration in sports.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Who Was Harry "Bucky" Lew? (01:39–03:55)

• Lew's Groundbreaking Career
  • First Black professional basketball player, signed in 1902.
  • Broke barriers as both a player and coach (coaching at what’s now UMass Lowell in 1903).
  • Integrated every role in basketball: player, coach, manager, referee, and even franchise owner.
• Chris Boucher’s Discovery of Lew’s Legacy
  • Even as a lifelong basketball fan and Lowell native, Boucher only learned about Lew five years ago through personal research into local basketball history.
  • Lew’s impact became apparent when Boucher realized he’d played for the first integrated professional basketball team.

“He integrated basically every conceivable role in basketball, from player to coach to manager to referee and even franchise owner.”
— Chris Boucher (02:18)

Researching a Forgotten Pioneer (03:55–05:52)

• Leveraged digitized archives, the UMass Lowell Center for Lowell History, and interviews with Lew’s descendants.
• Most information came from painstaking research in old newspaper clippings, as Lew is rarely mentioned in books beyond footnotes.
• Access to local archives and living relatives helped animate Lew’s story amid limited primary sources.

Early Life & Path to Pro Basketball (05:52–09:26)

• Grew up in Lowell, MA, working for his family’s dry cleaning business after eighth grade.
• Learned basketball at an integrated YMCA starting in 1898, benefiting from rare access for Black youth at the time.
• Began attracting attention through strong performances as captain of his YMCA team, eventually leading to a professional contract at just 18.

“There was indeed a French Canadian team at that time [. . .] But even more important to that, even more significant than that, was the fact that it was the first integrated professional team in basketball history.”
— Chris Boucher (04:44)

The State of Pro Basketball in 1902 (09:46–19:56)

- League Landscape (07:50–09:26)

• Lowell and eastern Massachusetts were early hotbeds for pro basketball, rivaling Philadelphia.
• Pro teams often had a regional footprint but were considered major leagues of their day.

- Integration’s Reception

• Lew’s signing generated press for his talent—not for breaking the color line.
• Media did not acknowledge his race in the headlines, unlike contemporaneous coverage of baseball or football integration.

“The splash wasn’t because of his race... it was just that he was a good player.”
— Chris Boucher (09:46–10:51)

- Gameplay, Equipment, and the "Dead Ball Era"

• Early basketball used a misshapen, laced, pumpkin-like ball that was difficult to handle.
• No backboards in Lew’s league, smaller rims, larger balls, and very low scores (often 20–30 points per team).
• Fewer free throws, minimal refereeing, extremely physical (often violent) style of play.
• Courts were small, with inconsistent dimensions (about half current NBA size in some cases), poor lighting, and surrounded by fences to keep the ball in play—leading to a “caged” game.

“So, for example, the basketball... was handmade. The laces were on the outside. The players of the day described it as a lumpy pumpkin.”
— Chris Boucher (17:18)

Racism, Violence, and Resilience (11:00–25:42)

• Black population in New England was small but well integrated in areas like Lowell.
• Lew was well received by teammates; resistance and violence came mainly from opposing players and hostile crowds.
• He compared his resilience to Jackie Robinson's, acknowledging he had to endure extra abuse but was ultimately respected for his toughness.
• Despite frequent violence (e.g., being thrown into fences, kicked or struck, chronic injuries), Lew was remarkably disciplined and never threw a punch in return.

“While he was the victim of a lot of this violence, Lou never threw a punch in a game, which to me is amazing...”
— Chris Boucher (24:35)

• On one infamous occasion, opposing star Harry Hough led a boycott, refusing to play while Lew was on the court. Lew chose to sit out to prevent further trouble—an example of tactical restraint and big-picture thinking.

Legacy, Influence, and the Slow Arc of Progress (29:03–33:34)

• Despite Lew’s barrier-breaking, there was no wave of Black players in pro basketball. Most leagues remained essentially segregated for decades.
• Basketball was more integrated than baseball or football, but Black players were typically “exceptions that proved the rule.”
• Key: Bucky Lew’s example influenced later gestures toward integration.

- Direct Line to Jackie Robinson's Dodgers (31:10–33:16)

• In 1946, when the Dodgers sought an American farm team willing to field Black players, Nashua, New Hampshire agreed.
• This acceptance was partly due to local sports leader Fred Dobins’ childhood experience watching and playing at Bucky Lew’s games—an underappreciated link from Lew’s acceptance in New England to MLB integration.

“Fred Dobins... assured them that Black players would be welcome in Nashua... because when he was in high school, he played at halftime of Bucky Lou’s games... he personally witnessed Lou and his acceptance.”
— Chris Boucher (31:28)

Post-Playing Career & Community Impact (33:16–36:14)

• Lou played for 25 years, but also managed, coached, owned teams, and was among the first Black referees.
• Organized teams composed largely of local immigrants and minorities, especially during the resurgent KKK era.
• Once scheduled to play, coach, and referee in the same night—testament to his all-encompassing involvement.

Recognition and Memory: Why Is Lew Forgotten? (36:14–42:16)

• Despite acknowledgment from the Naismith Hall of Fame as the first Black pro, Lew was never inducted and received little contemporary recognition.
• American Basketball Hall of Fame plans to induct him in 2026—its first formal hall recognition.
• NBA/NBL/BAA and most media ignored his contributions. Recent efforts to honor early Black players have faded as Hall committees were disbanded.
• Lew’s obscurity is due to:
  • The NBA centering its history on its 1946 founding, often ignoring pre-league history.
  • Early basketball’s “dead ball” stats making it hard for modern fans to appreciate players’ impact.
  • Lack of accessible visual materials, requiring significant historical research.

“It’s hard to look into it. You could pull up—you can’t pull up YouTube clips of Bucky Lou. Right. I mean, you really have to dig.” — Paul Knepper (42:16)

The Importance & Fascination of Early Basketball History (43:00–44:09)

• Boucher highlights the increased ease of historical research thanks to digitized newspapers, but emphasizes the continuing challenge (his book features 600 citations!).
• He finds the early, experimental, ethnic/neighborhood roots of basketball both compelling and vital to understanding the sport’s real legacy.

Closing: Book Recommendations (45:16)

• Chris Boucher’s all-time favorite sports book: The SPHAS by Douglas Stark, which piqued his interest in early neighborhood and ethnic basketball history and led to his discovery of Lew.

“It was really that one that got me started. It opened my eyes to 50 years of history and some great stories. So that’s number one for me.”
— Chris Boucher (45:16)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “He integrated basically every conceivable role in basketball, from player to coach to manager to referee and even franchise owner.” (Chris Boucher, 02:15)
• “The splash wasn’t because of his race... it was just that he was a good player.” (Chris Boucher, 09:46–10:51)
• “Players of the day described [the ball] as a lumpy pumpkin.” (Chris Boucher, 17:18)
• “Lou never threw a punch in a game, which to me is amazing... 25 years of taking this grief.” (Chris Boucher, 24:35)
• “Fred Dobins... assured them that black players would be welcome in Nashua... because he played at halftime of Bucky Lou’s games.” (Chris Boucher, 31:28)
• “I feel like he’s probably already in basketball heaven, but if the Naismith Hall makes it official, that would be nice.” (Chris Boucher, 44:34)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:39 — Who was Bucky Lew?
• 03:55 — Boucher’s research process
• 05:52 — Lew’s early life and basketball beginnings
• 07:50 — The structure of pro basketball in 1902
• 09:46 — Media and fan reception of Lew’s integration
• 11:00 — Demographics and integration in New England
• 17:18 — The "dead ball" era: equipment and gameplay
• 23:35 — Racism, violence, and Lew’s resilience
• 29:03 — Lew’s immediate and long-term legacy
• 31:10 — Lew’s indirect link to Jackie Robinson’s Dodgers
• 33:34 — Life after playing: management, coaching, refereeing
• 36:14 — Recognition and lack thereof, Hall of Fame status
• 40:13 — Why is Lew forgotten?
• 43:00 — Resources for researching early basketball
• 45:16 — Chris Boucher’s recommended sports book

Closing Thoughts

Chris Boucher's biography of Harry "Bucky" Lew unearths the story of a player who broke barriers not only through talent but through quiet courage and lifelong service to the game. The conversation reveals how easily crucial figures can be erased from collective memory, while also offering hope that careful scholarship and public advocacy can finally grant Lew—and others like him—the recognition their legacies deserve.