MAKE HISTORY NOW
The new PUMA x Black Fives collection is a result of the ongoing partnership with the Black Fives Foundation, whose mission is to honour the pre-NBA history of African Americans in basketball.
The new collection, the Black Fives RENS100 Collection, celebrates the 100th anniversary of the New York Renaissance – or for short, the New York Rens. Founded in 1923, the Rens became America’s first Black-owned fully professional basketball team.
Named for their home court at the Renaissance Casino and Ballroom in Harlem, the Rens’ innovative, fast-paced playing style led them to a record-setting 88-game win streak and shaped the game we know today.
In 1939, the Rens won the first professional basketball championship ever when they beat the Oshkosh All-Stars in the World Professional Basketball Tournament in Chicago, and became the first ever Basketball World Champions.
In tribute to this legendary team, PUMA is bringing back some of the Rens’ signature flare through on and off court pieces. The collection proudly celebrates the anniversary of the New York Rens with timeless classics, including a retro take on our NITRO™ All-Pro that will inspire players to Make History Now – just like the New York Rens did.
This 8-piece collection rocks retro-inspired designs including multi-coloured hoodies and sweatpants, shorts, T-shirts, a basketball jersey, a Harlem Jacket, and a ‘Make History Now’ hoodie.
Immerse yourself in basketball history and score looks on and off the court 👀🏀.
The History of Black Fives
Just after the game of basketball was invented in 1891, teams were called “fives” in reference to their five starting players. Back then, Basketball, like American society, was racially segregated. Teams made up entirely of African American players were often known as “black fives.”
The sport remained divided from 1904 — when basketball was first introduced to African Americans on a wide scale organized basis — until the integration of the National Basketball League in the 1940s and the National Basketball Association in 1950.
The period in between became known as the Black Fives Era, when dozens of all-Black teams emerged, flourished, and excelled.
(Source: www.blackfives.org)
50 years after the foundation of the NY Rens, in 1973, Walt „Clyde“ Frazier became PUMA‘s first signature athlete and got his own sneaker „Clyde“. He was the first ever professional athlete who had a shoe named after him.
