Age, Biography and Wiki

Nathaniel Clifton was born on 13 October, 1922 in England, Arkansas, U.S., is an American basketball player and coach. Discover Nathaniel Clifton's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 67 years old?

Popular As N/A
Occupation N/A
Age 67 years old
Zodiac Sign Libra
Born 13 October 1922
Birthday 13 October
Birthplace England, Arkansas, U.S.
Date of death 31 August, 1990
Died Place Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 13 October. He is a member of famous player with the age 67 years old group.

Nathaniel Clifton Height, Weight & Measurements

At 67 years old, Nathaniel Clifton height not available right now. We will update Nathaniel Clifton's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
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Nathaniel Clifton Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Nathaniel Clifton worth at the age of 67 years old? Nathaniel Clifton’s income source is mostly from being a successful player. He is from United States. We have estimated Nathaniel Clifton's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income player

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Timeline

1922

Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton (born Clifton Nathaniel; October 13, 1922 – August 31, 1990) was an American professional basketball and baseball player.

He is best known as one of the first African Americans to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Born in England, Arkansas, as Clifton Nathaniel, he was given the "Sweetwater" nickname as a boy because of his love of soft drinks and his easy disposition.

His family moved to Chicago, Illinois, when he was eight.

Clifton became an outstanding basketball and baseball player at DuSable High School; he reversed his two names when sportswriters complained that the last name Nathaniel was too long to fit in their headlines.

1942

He graduated in 1942.

Clifton attended Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans and then served with the United States Army for three years, fighting in Europe during World War II.

After the war, Clifton joined the New York Rens, an all-black professional basketball team that toured throughout the United States.

1948

Noted for his large hands, which required a size 14 glove, he was invited to join the Harlem Globetrotters, for whom he played from the summer of 1948 to the spring of 1950.

1949

Still a talented baseball first baseman, during the basketball off-season in 1949 Clifton played for the Chicago American Giants in Negro league baseball.

1950

By 1950, his performance with the Globetrotters, in particular his exceptional ball-handling ability, led to his signing a contract with an NBA team.

On May 24, 1950, Clifton became the second African-American player to sign an NBA contract.

He played his first game for the New York Knicks on November 4, four days after the debut of Washington Capitols player Earl Lloyd, the first black player to appear in an NBA game.

Already 27 years old when he made his debut, Clifton in his first season helped lead the team to its first-ever appearance in the NBA finals, losing in game seven.

During his eight seasons in the NBA, Clifton averaged 10 points and 9 rebounds per game.

1957

He was named to the 1957 NBA All-Star team, scoring 8 points in 23 minutes in the game.

At age 34, he became the oldest player in NBA history to be named a first time All-Star.

In 1957, Clifton was part of a multi-player trade between the Knicks and the Fort Wayne Pistons, but after one season in Detroit he retired from basketball.

1958

In the summer of 1958, he joined the Detroit Clowns baseball team in the Negro leagues, along with his former Harlem Globetrotters teammate Reece "Goose" Tatum.

1961

In 1961, he was coaxed out of retirement by the Chicago Majors of the fledgling American Basketball League (ABL).

1962

After the league folded at the end of 1962, the 40-year-old Clifton retired permanently.

1990

Clifton died at age 67 on August 31, 1990, in Chicago.

He was interred in the Restvale Cemetery in the Chicago suburb of Alsip.

Clifton's contributions to his community during his sporting career and after his playing days, have been recognized by the Associated Black Charities of New York City.

They have honored him by naming one of the Black History Maker Awards the Nathaniel 'Sweetwater' Clifton Award.

2005

In 2005, the New York Knicks basketball team renamed their monthly City Spirit Award in his honor.

The Sweetwater Clifton City Spirit Award is given to a member of the community who goes above and beyond his or her normal duties to make the lives of others in the tri-state area better.

Clifton, who played softball for the Brown Bombers and Capitol Records team of the Daddy-O Daylie League, was also inducted into Chicago 16-inch softball Hall of Fame.

2014

On February 14, 2014, Clifton was announced as a 2014 inductee by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

He formally entered the Hall as a contributor on August 8.

Sweetwater, a film on Clifton's life, had been in planning with Sunset Pictures since 2007 and was released on April 14, 2023.