A Brief History

On November 27, 1968, the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association, the ABA, a major league basketball rival of the National Basketball Association, the NBA, actually put a woman on the court during a real basketball game. Letting Penny Ann Early play was just a publicity stunt, but it was valid, making her the first (and so far only) woman to play on a men’s top professional American sports team.

Digging Deeper

If you are unfamiliar with the ABA, it was an upstart rival to the NBA that operated from 1967 to 1976 before it merged with the NBA. It used a flashy red white and blue basketball and had major stars such as: Artis Gilmore; Julius Erving; Rick Barry; George Gervin; Moses Malone; Connie Hawkins; Spencer Haywood; Dan Issel; Jim Chones; and David Thompson who played in the league. Teams absorbed by the NBA were the Nets, Nuggets, Pacers and Spurs, all of which are still in the NBA.

Ms. Early had actually become the first female jockey earlier in the year, competing at the famous Churchill Downs in Kentucky. She experienced plenty of discrimination at the track, with male jockeys initially refusing to race against her. The owner of the Colonels wanted to capitalize on Early’s notoriety and inserted her into a game, but the team’s coach was incensed over what he considered a travesty. Still, the coach allowed Penny to inbound the ball and then immediately called time out, but the young lady had already had her historical moment. History and Headlines Trivia: In addition to being the first female jockey and the first woman to play in professional basketball, at 5’3″ and 112 pounds, Penny Ann Early was also the shortest and smallest person ever to play in a major league basketball game.

Ms. Early had an undistinguished jockey career, and after a short hiatus from horse racing, attempted a comeback, but broke some bones in a track accident. She then continued as a trainer only.

Question for students (and subscribers): So, can women play alongside men, or are they better off in their own leagues? What are your thoughts? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.

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Historical Evidence

For more information, please see…

Gardner, Lloyd “Pink” and Gary P. West. Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association: The Real Story of a Team Left Behind. Acclaim Press, 2011.