Warriors Honor Pioneering NBA Star John 'Jackie' Moore With Moment of Silence

The Golden State Warriors paid tribute to the franchise's first Black player, who passed away at 93.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:23am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball court scene with overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conveying the challenges and obstacles faced by pioneering Black players in the NBA.The Warriors' tribute to pioneering player John 'Jackie' Moore reflects the fractured path Black athletes faced in breaking barriers in the NBA.Philadelphia Today

The Golden State Warriors held a moment of silence before their game against the Lakers to honor the passing of John 'Jackie' Moore, a pioneering NBA player who was the first Black athlete to appear in a game for the Warriors franchise. Moore, who won a championship with the Warriors in 1956, was also the first Black player at La Salle University and had a significant cultural impact on the league.

Why it matters

Moore's signing and debut with the Warriors in 1955 broke the color barrier for the franchise, paving the way for greater diversity in the NBA. His career and mentorship of younger players like Wilt Chamberlain highlighted the challenges Black athletes faced in gaining opportunities in the league during the era of segregation.

The details

The Warriors paid tribute to Moore on social media, noting that he signed with the Philadelphia Warriors on February 15, 1955 and made his debut that same day, becoming the first Black player to appear in a game for the franchise. In 2024, the team honored Moore's legacy by unveiling a Classic Edition jersey 'paying homage to the uniform he wore as he changed the game.' Moore was a star at Philadelphia's Overbrook High School, winning three consecutive Public League championships, and later played at La Salle University, where he was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame.

  • John 'Jackie' Moore passed away on April 9, 2026 at the age of 93.
  • The Golden State Warriors held a moment of silence for Moore before their game against the Lakers on April 10, 2026.
  • In 2024, the Warriors unveiled a Classic Edition jersey to honor Moore's legacy on his 92nd birthday.

The players

John 'Jackie' Moore

The first Black player to appear in a game for the Warriors franchise, Moore won a championship with the team in 1956 and had a significant cultural impact as a pioneer for diversity in the NBA.

Wilt Chamberlain

A younger basketball player whom Moore mentored, Chamberlain went on to become a legendary NBA star.

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What they’re saying

“You know, the strange thing is I didn't even think of being the first or being a pioneer. I was just doing something I liked to do. There weren't many blacks playing when I came up.”

— John 'Jackie' Moore

“He did a lot for basketball in this city. He was the second-best player to come out of Overbrook behind Wilt Chamberlain. We all liked Jackie.”

— Buddy Donnelly, Member of La Salle's 1952 NIT team

The takeaway

John 'Jackie' Moore's pioneering career as the first Black player for the Warriors franchise and his mentorship of future NBA legends like Wilt Chamberlain left a lasting impact on the league and the sport of basketball. His humble spirit and trailblazing path paved the way for greater diversity and opportunity in the NBA.