Weird, Rare and Unusual Basketball Photos

A collection of unusual, historic and sometimes bizarre basketball photos from NBA history, college basketball and beyond.

Basketball history has produced plenty of strange photographs. Some capture famous people before they became famous, while others document forgotten teams, unusual uniforms or unexpected connections to the sport.

This gallery preserves some of the strangest basketball-related images collected by NBAHoopsOnline.

Historic Basketball Photos

San Francisco Swastika basketball team in 1909 — **San Francisco Swastika basketball team, 1909.**
No, this is not a team from Nazi Germany. This San Francisco basketball team was photographed in 1909, decades before the swastika became associated with Nazi Germany. The symbol had been used by many cultures for centuries before its adoption by the Nazi Party.

Chilocco Indian School Native American basketball team wearing swastika uniforms in 1909 — **Chilocco basketball team.**
The Chilocco Indian School men's basketball team also used the swastika symbol on its uniforms during the early 20th century. The photograph is an important surviving image of early Native American basketball.

1990 Sam Vincent basketball card showing Michael Jordan wearing number 12 — **Michael Jordan wearing No. 12.**
At first glance, this looks like an ordinary Sam Vincent basketball card. Look closely at the lower corner, however, and Michael Jordan can be seen wearing No. 12 instead of his familiar No. 23.

Michael Jordan wearing Chicago Bulls number 12 uniform — **More photos of Michael Jordan wearing No. 12.**
Jordan wore No. 12 for one game after his No. 23 jersey was reportedly stolen before a road game against Orlando.

Dick Cheney holding a personalized Utah Jazz number 04 jersey — **Dick Cheney with a Utah Jazz jersey.**
Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney holds a personalized Jazz jersey bearing his surname and the number 04.

Wilt Chamberlain posing with Muhammad Ali — **Wilt Chamberlain and Muhammad Ali.**
Two of the most recognizable athletes of the 20th century together in one photograph.

**Fidel Castro playing basketball.**
A rare basketball photograph of Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

Actor James Dean holding a basketball while wearing a Fairmount uniform — **James Dean playing basketball.**
Before becoming one of Hollywood's most recognizable actors, James Dean played basketball while attending school in Fairmount, Indiana.

Barack Obama with the Punahou School basketball team in Hawaii — **Barack Obama on the Punahou basketball team.**
Future U.S. President Barack Obama appears in a Punahou School basketball team photograph from his high school years in Hawaii.

Ronald Reagan in a school basketball team photograph — **Ronald Reagan and basketball.**
Barack Obama was not the only future president with a basketball connection. Ronald Reagan appears in this early team photograph.

Gerald Ford participating in a basketball jump ball aboard USS Monterey during World War II — **Gerald Ford aboard the USS Monterey.**
Future U.S. President Gerald Ford participates in a basketball jump ball aboard the USS Monterey during World War II.

Julius Peppers playing college basketball for North Carolina — **Julius Peppers at North Carolina.**
Long before becoming one of the NFL's premier defensive players, Julius Peppers also played basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Vintage basketball newspaper photograph containing racist caricature imagery — **A disturbing piece of basketball history.**
This vintage newspaper image contains overt racist caricature imagery. It is preserved here as an example of the offensive stereotypes that appeared in historical sports coverage.

About this gallery: Some of these photographs contain imagery or symbolism that is offensive today. They are presented here in their historical context rather than as an endorsement of the imagery.