Marlbert Pradd (born November 17, 1944 – April 27, 2014) was born in Chicago, Illinois. He spent his childhood as a resident of Altgeld Garden housing projects. He attended Carver High School. He later became a professional basketball shooting guard who spent two seasons in the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a member of the New Orleans Buccaneers during the 1967–68 and 1968–69 season.