Game-day experience
What surrounds the action
The Harlem Rens, officially known as the New York Renaissance, hold a legendary place in American sports history. Founded in 1923 and based in Harlem, they were the first all-black, fully professional basketball team. Renowned for barnstorming across the United States, the Rens played at the Renaissance Ballroom and earned a lasting legacy in the sport's narrative. In 1963, the team was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, solidifying their impact on basketball and Black American history. This page celebrates the name's storied past and its influence on contemporary performances and tributes inspired by Harlem's golden era.