Kent Washington

Kent Washington (born 10 January 1956)[1] is a former professional basketball player who was the first American as well as the first black professional basketball player to play behind the Iron Curtain.[2][3][4] He won the Polish Cup in 1983.[5]

This article is about the basketball player. For the city, see Kent, Washington. For the neighborhood, see Kent (Washington, D.C.).
Kent Washington
Personal information
Born (1956-01-10) 10 January 1956
New Rochelle, NY, United States
NationalityAmerican
Listed height178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Career information
CollegeSouthampton College (1974–1978)
Playing career1974–1995
PositionPoint guard
Career history
As player:
1978–1981Start Lublin
1981–1983Zagłębie Sosnowiec
1983–198?IFK Linköping
198?–19??Plannja Basket Luleå
19??–1995BC Växjö
As coach:
00000000IFK Linköping
00000000Luleå BBK
00000000Iona Gaels

His popularity was so great in PRL-era Poland during his 5 seasons there between 1978 and 1983[2] that it was dubbed "Kentomania".[4][6] Reportedly soldiers assigned to crack down on public gatherings as part of a national martial law decree would abandon their tanks to seek his autograph.[3] He also appeared in the Polish cult film Miś.[7]

References
  1. "Historia Polskiej Ligi Koszykówki Mężczyzn". www.plkhistory.ugu.pl. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  2. Jakub Wojczyński (2 May 2023), "Amerykanie są jednocześnie zbawieniem i przekleństwem. Podbili świat. Nie ma innego wyjścia?", onet.pl (in Polish), Przegląd Sportowy
  3. Nancy Haggerty, lohud. (ed.), "Breaking barriers: Washington first American to play pro basketball behind Iron Curtain", lohud.com, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
  4. "Cut by the NBA, He Found Fame in Communist Poland". Sports History Weekly. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  5. Marek Kępa (29 June 2021), I Felt Polish: A Chat with American Basketball Pro Kent Washington, culture.pl
  6. Kent Washington (2021). Kentomania: A Black Basketball Virtuoso in Communist Poland. independent. pp. 1–247. ISBN 9798786557979.
  7. Żelazko, Basia (15 May 2020). "Kent Washington: pamiętacie koszykarza z "Misia"?". film.wp.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2 May 2023.

Bibliography
  • Autobiography: Kent Washington (2021). Kentomania: A Black Basketball Virtuoso in Communist Poland. independent. pp. 1–247. ISBN 9798786557979.
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