.jpeg) Gates circa 1952 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 30, 1917 Decatur, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | December 1, 1999 (aged 82) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Benjamin Franklin (Harlem, New York) |
| Position | Guard |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1937–1938 | New York Harlem Yankees |
| 1938–1941, 1942–1946 | New York Renaissance |
| 1941–1946 | Washington Licthman Bears |
| 1941–1944 | Grumman Flyers |
| 1944–1945 | Rochester |
| 1944–1946 | Long Island Grumman Hellcats |
| 1945–1946 | Chicago Monarchs |
| 1946–1947 | Tri-Cities Blackhawks |
| 1947–1949 | New York Rens |
| 1949 | Dayton Rens |
| 1949–1950 | Scranton Miners |
| 1950–1957 | Harlem Globetrotters |
| 1951–1952 | New York Celtics |
| As coach: | |
| 1949 | Dayton Rens |
| 1950–1955 | Harlem Globetrotters |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Basketball Hall of Fame as player | |
William Penn "Pop" Gates (August 30, 1917 – December 1, 1999) was an American professional basketball player. Considered one of the top players of his day, he was the first African American player signed to the National Basketball League, the precursor to today's National Basketball Association.