Jeremy Piven starring in film about former Knick Nat ‘Sweetwater’ Clifton, wants team to honor first African-American to sign NBA contract

Jeremy Piven says he’s bringing a pitch to James Dolan at the Knicks game on Wednesday, with the goal of seeing a trailblazer honored in the Garden rafters.

“It would be nice to retire Sweetwater’s jersey, No. 8, up in the stands,” Piven, the Emmy-winning actor of ‘Entourage’ fame, told the Daily News. “It would be pretty cool.”

“I don’t know if (Dolan) will listen to me, either. But I’d love to have my day in court with him. That would be amazing.”

Piven’s interest in Nat ‘Sweetwater’ Clifton derives from his new film, ‘Sweetwater,’ which details the true and inspirational path of the first African-American to sign an NBA contract.

Piven plays former Knicks coach Joe Lapchick, who pushed for Clifton’s signing in 1950 while working against the surrounding forces of racism. It’s a personality Piven said he understood and admired after growing up in the Chicago area.

“I grew up in a very integrated culture. I was the only white boy on my football team,” Piven said. “So I know firsthand that there’s nothing natural about racism. And I was really lucky to be surrounded by people of all different colors. It was a gift. And so I intrinsically know that we’re all in this together. So to play a character that was instrumental in effecting change and helping to break the color barrier was a gift. And I was blown away and honored to play the role.”

Clifton was plucked by Lapchick from the Harlem Globetrotters to join the Knicks, where he played seven seasons alongside Harry Gallatin and earned an All-Star bid in 1957.

Lapchick, a Yonkers native and Naismith Hall of Famer, became the Branch Rickey in this tale, although the story is less known for probably a variety of reasons: 1) basketball wasn’t as popular as baseball in the 40/50s; 2) Clifton wasn’t technically the first African-American to play in the NBA, only the first to sign (Earl Lloyd signed the same year and played first based on the schedule), and 3) Clifton wasn’t quite as good as Jackie Robinson.

But the mystery is part of what drew Piven to the film.

“It’s interesting that we don’t know who the Jackie Robinson of basketball is,” he said. “And it turns out it’s Sweetwater Clifton.”

Still, there was a physical issue in casting. Lapchick was 6-foot-5. Piven is listed as 5-9.

“Thank God for movie magic and apple boxes and all that stuff,” he said.

To prepare for the part, Piven, a lifelong Bulls fan, said he spoke with Phil Jackson – “he is incredibly evolved and Zen” – and current Sixers coach Doc Rivers.

With the film opening April 14, Piven’s next stop is Madison Square Garden to catch noted Entourage fan Julius Randle and perhaps float an idea to the team owner about the next retired jersey.