Nat Clifton was one of the NBA's first African-American players making his debut with the New York Knicks in 1950. He was also an excellent baseball player - appearing in the Negro Leagues, as well as playing two years of minor league ball, where he hit .307 with 23 home runs.

Before joining the NBA, Clifton played for the New York Rens and the Harlem Globetrotters. He also served 3 years in the US Army, fighting in Europe during WWII.