First Professional Basketball Game
On this site in 1896, was played the first professional basketball game. Fred Cooper, captain of the Trentons, had arranged for the rental of Masonic Temple Hall, after rent was paid, he distributed the remaining money among the players with each receiving $15.00 and Cooper, as captain, an extra dollar.
The Trentons were also the first champions of the first professional basketball league, the National Basketball League, winning the championship in the first season, 1898–1899, and repeating their victory the following season.
In recognition of Fred Cooper, the National Basketball Association presented a plaque to him, the wording of which appears below.
Memorial Award
to
Fred Cooper
First Professional Basketball Player
1896
Presented by National Basketball Association of America
Trenton, N.J.
February 28th, 1955
Marker is at the intersection of North Warren Street and West State Street, on the right when traveling south on North Warren Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
