![A play about the Harlem Rens, the first all-black basketball team, is coming to the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in October. [Special to the News Bulletin]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-571315db-f480-04fa-e053-0100007f7ff1-e9bc4f69.jpeg)
NICEVILLE — A Layon Gray play depicting the story of the first all-black basketball team formed in the 1920s is part of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center season.
"Kings of Harlem" is the about the Harlem Rens and their struggles against the overt racism and discrimination encountered in establishing their legitimacy as a professional team.
The members eventually broke through barriers. They began to play against white teams and went on a historic winning streak of 112 games and only seven losses in one season.
In their nearly three-decade existence, the Rens compiled an impressive record of 2,588-529.
The National Basketball Hall of Fame inducted the entire team in 1963.
They paved the way for the Harlem Globetrotters as well as the wealth of young, talented African American players who grace the NBA courts today.
Tickets are $37.50. Purchase them at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box Office, www.mattiekellyartscenter.org, or by calling 729-6000.
See http://www.kingsofharlem.com to learn more about this production, coming soon to the Mattie Kelly Arts Center.
FYI
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Kings of Harlem'