Nationwide — Pete Babcock had a 42-year career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) serving various roles, including scout, assistant coach, Director of Player Personnel, Vice President of Basketball Operations, General Manager, President, and minority owner. His new autobiography, Courts of Justice: A Life in Basketball and Activism, shares an inside look at his journey in the NBA through the lens of a civil rights narrative that forever transformed a country and the game.
“It was an era when you were told you were inferior so much that you began to believe it,” Earl Lloyd, the first African to play in the NBA, said. “Back of the bus, upstairs at the theater, no restaurant service. I never sat next to a white person until I was twenty-two years old,” he added. “Bill Russell and I used to laugh in those early days because we always ended up guarding each other. It’s like the owners felt the fans would accept Blacks if they didn’t get tough with white players,” Lloyd said.
Basketball has always been more than just a game. It has served as a mirror of our society, a battleground for justice, and a bridge between divided communities. Red Auerbach drafted the first African American player, Chuck Cooper, appointed the first Black coach, Bill Russell, and started the first all-Black starting team—Willie Naulls, Sam Jones, KC Jones, Bill Russell, and Satch Sanders.
Babcock took Red Auerbach’s groundbreaking approach to a new level. He was one of the first general managers to recognize the challenges faced by young Black players in managing sudden wealth. He brought in professionals to help them learn about money management and legitimate investment opportunities. Babcock also addressed alcohol and drug abuse by some of his players and enrolled them in recovery programs.
He was among the first general managers to recognize the potential of involving his players in community projects, fostering trust, resolving conflicts, and uplifting those often overlooked. Whether he was walking into gang territories in Denver to extend a hand of peace or organizing NBA players to visit Native American reservations and advocate for healthy living, his commitment to people and purpose consistently transcended the game.
In Atlanta, he forged a lasting partnership with Congressman John Lewis, rooted in shared values and a belief in the power of action. Together, they initiated efforts to combat gun violence, support those affected by AIDS, and open doors for those in need. Babcock didn’t just speak about justice; he created opportunities for others to engage with it. He facilitated conversations between athletes and civil rights icons, helping them grasp the struggles that paved their way and the responsibilities that come with their platform.
Courts of Justice is not just the story of a career; it is the story of a calling. Many of the stories in these pages were first shared during Black History Month or taught in Babcock’s civil rights and basketball courses at Emory University. They are more than memories. These stories are lessons and legacies of our country.
This is the story of how basketball became a powerful tool for social change. Among these stories are the people Babcock inspired, the communities he uplifted, and the values he has upheld. Babcock’s stories are a reminder that authentic leadership does not originate from titles or trophies, but from courage, conviction, and compassion.
For individuals aware of the challenges associated with overcoming obstacles, Babcock’s example indicates that progress is ongoing and the game continues to influence advancement.
Courts of Justice is the story of a man who has long believed that pursuing justice requires the same intensity as a full-court press. It is a reminder that the scoreboard does not always measure the most meaningful victories, and the most important wins we record are in the lives we touch along the way.
For more information, visit PeteBabcock.com
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