Before the NBA, Brooklyn had the Black Fives.
This heavyweight cotton sweatshirt pays tribute to the Smart Set Athletic Club—the first formally organized independent Black basketball team in America. Founded in Brooklyn in 1904, the Smart Set debuted on the court in 1907 and dominated so thoroughly they earned the nickname "The Grave Diggers."
Their members were Bed-Stuy's Black elite—educated professionals who lived blocks from where the Marcy Houses stand today. Lena Horne's father played on this squad. They won back-to-back Colored Basketball World Championships before the NBA even existed.
The oversized varsity "S" (in off-white) brings that classic athletic club energy, while the "b5" at the left chest marks the Black Fives era—when our teams built the game on their own terms.
Preppy. Brooklyn. Ours.
Details:
- 100% premium cotton, 400 g/m² heavyweight construction
- Loose, relaxed fit
- Classic crew neck
- Long sleeve
- Varsity "S" front graphic (40×52cm print)
- "b5" left chest detail
Available Colors: Black, Dark Blue, Grey, White, Apricot
Fit: Unisex loose fit — we recommend your true size for a relaxed silhouette or size down for a more fitted look.
Wear the Legacy that will always live within.
Size Chart
| S | M | L | XL | 2XL | ||||||
| inch | cm | inch | cm | inch | cm | inch | cm | inch | cm | |
| Chest | 22.4 | 57 | 23.2 | 59 | 24.0 | 61 | 25.2 | 64 | 26.4 | 67 |
| Length | 25.6 | 65 | 26.4 | 67 | 27.2 | 69 | 28.0 | 71 | 29.1 | 74 |
| Shoulder | 23.6 | 60 | 24.4 | 62 | 25.2 | 64 | 26.4 | 67 | 27.6 | 70 |
| Sleeve length | 21.7 | 55 | 22.0 | 56 | 22.4 | 57 | 22.8 | 58 | 23.2 | 59 |