According to Sports Illustrated, Dick Crews—the first Black men’s basketball player at the University of Washington—has died at 89 after a battle with Alzheimer’s.
A Garfield High School graduate, Crews broke the color barrier at UW in the 1955–56 season, despite initial resistance from alumni and even the coach, Tippy Dye.
His courage paved the way for future stars like Brandon Roy and Isaiah Thomas.
Crews endured racism on and off the court, including being denied service at restaurants while traveling with the team.
“You have to stand up… or you run away from everything,” he once said.
His legacy as a trailblazer still shapes the University of Washington’s basketball team today.
Rest in peace, Dick Crews.
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