San Francisco Saints
Chinese American amateur basketball team founded in the 1950s.
The San Francisco Saints, a traveling amateur basketball team made up of Chinese American players, was established in the 1950s and joined the Amateur Athletic Union. Father Donal F. Forrester, then pastor and director of St. Mary's Chinese Catholic Center and Holy Family Parish in San Francisco's Chinatown, founded the team. Recognized as one of the most famous and accomplished Chinese teams, the Saints faced both Asian and non-Asian opponents throughout California and the wider United States. They were a dominant force in the early years of the North American Chinese Basketball Association (NACBA) Invitational Tournament, which began in 1981 and has thrived for over three decades, winning ten of the first eleven championships. The Saints remain active, having won the NACBA championship in 1998, placing second in 1999, and taking the 35 and Over Division title in 2003. The team still competes under the Saints name in local Bay Area adult leagues, drawing on local talent. St. Mary's Chinese Catholic Center also uses the Saints name for its third- through eighth-grade grammar school sports teams. An offshoot team, the San Francisco Duke, has continued the Saints' legacy by competing in leagues and tournaments. To honor the original team, the Duke merged with some older Saints players to form the San Francisco Duke/Saints for the 25th Annual NACBA tournament in Chicago, where they reached the championship but lost to the Seattle Bladerunners.
- Founded
- 1950s
- Founder
- Father Donal F. Forrester
- Affiliation
- Amateur Athletic Union
- Location
- San Francisco, California
- Known for
- Dominating early North American Chinese Basketball Association Invitational Tournament
Lore & Background
The San Francisco Saints were formed in the 1950s by Father Donal F. Forrester, pastor and director of St. Mary's Chinese Catholic Center/Holy Family Parish in San Francisco's Chinatown. The team entered the Amateur Athletic Union and became one of the best known and successful Chinese teams, competing against both Asian and non-Asian teams throughout California and the United States. A major competition for the Saints was the North American Chinese Basketball Association (NACBA) Invitational Tournament, which began in 1981 and has continued for over thirty years. The Saints dominated the early years of that tournament, winning 10 out of the first 11 championships.
Reader's Guide
The San Francisco Saints hold significance as a pioneering Chinese American amateur basketball team that achieved notable success from the 1950s onward. Their dominance in the early years of the NACBA Invitational Tournament—winning 10 of the first 11 championships—established them as a benchmark for Chinese American basketball. The team remains active, winning the NACBA championship in 1998, finishing second in 1999, and winning the 35 and Over Division in 2003. The Saints name was adopted by St. Mary's Chinese Catholic Center for its 3rd to 8th grade grammar school sports teams. An offshoot team, the San Francisco Duke, carried on the Saints' legacy, and a combined San Francisco Duke/Saints team competed in the 25th Annual NACBA tournament in Chicago, losing to the Seattle Bladerunners in the championship. The Saints continue to compete under their name in some Bay Area adult leagues, preserving a legacy of community and athletic achievement.
Did You Know?
- The San Francisco Saints were founded by Father Donal F. Forrester, pastor of St. Mary's Chinese Catholic Center in San Francisco's Chinatown.
- The Saints won 10 out of the first 11 NACBA Invitational Tournament championships.
- The team won the NACBA championship in 1998 and the 35 and Over Division in 2003.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the San Francisco Saints?
They were a Chinese American amateur basketball squad rooted in San Francisco's Chinatown that traveled across California and beyond to compete in the 1950s. The group is remembered as one of the most accomplished Chinese American hoops teams of its era.
Who started the San Francisco Saints basketball team?
Father Donal F. Forrester, pastor at St. Mary's Chinese Catholic Center and Holy Family Parish in Chinatown, put the squad together in the 1950s. His standing as a community leader in the Chinese Catholic neighborhood made him a natural figure to rally players around.
What organization did the San Francisco Saints compete under?
The team registered with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), which let them schedule games against both Asian and non-Asian opponents throughout California and the wider United States.
What is the San Francisco Saints most famous for?
They dominated the early editions of the North American Chinese Basketball Association Invitational Tournament, establishing themselves as a powerhouse in that circuit. Their success in those inaugural years cemented their reputation among Chinese American basketball fans.
Where did the San Francisco Saints play their games?
Though rooted in San Francisco's Chinatown, the Saints operated as a traveling outfit that took on opponents across California and other parts of the country. Their home base was the St. Mary's Chinese Catholic Center and Holy Family Parish neighborhood.
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