Who was the first black to play in the NBA?

• Black players have continued to dominate the NBA over the last few decades. In 2021, 73.2 per cent of NBA players were black. 
• Earl Lloyd, a native of Alexandria, made history on October 31, 1950, by becoming the first black to play in the NBA. 
• He played on Halloween scoring six points for his team, the Washington Capitols. 

African Americans have continued to dominate the NBA since 1990. But who was the first black to play a game in the NBA? 

Throughout the NBA’s history, the composition of race and ethnicity has changed. In 2021, 73.2 per cent of NBA players were black. 

It all started in 1950 when Charles Henry Cooper, Earl Francis Lloyd and Nathaniel Clifton joined the NBA. These men ushered in a new era. And thanks to them, we have seen many talented black players afterwards.

Earl Lloyd. Photo/ Black Enterprise.

Earl Lloyd entered the league first, then Cooper and Clifton followed afterwards. Cooper was the first black player drafted while Clifton was the first black to sign with an NBA team. 

Earl Lloyd, a native of Alexandria, made history on October 31, 1950, by becoming the first black to play in the NBA. He played on Halloween scoring six points for his team, the Washington Capitols. 

Charles Cooper became the second black to play in an NBA game as he represented Bolton Celtics the following day. Nat Cliffton made his NBA debut for New York Knicks four days after Earl Lloyd’s first appearance. 

Earl Lloyd’s Early Life And College Career 

Earl Lloyd was born on April 3, 1928, in Alexandria, Virginia. His father, Theodore Lloyd, worked in the coal industry while his mother, Daisy Lloyd, stayed home. 

The future NBA star was an outstanding athlete at Lyles-Crouch Elementary School and Parker-Gray High School. 

At high school, Lloyd was named to the All-South Atlantic Conferences three times. He received a scholarship to play for West Virginia State University after his high school days. 

Earl Lloyd led West Virginia State University to two Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Conference and Tournaments Championships. 

He graduated from the university in 1950 with a B.S. degree in physical education. 

NBA Career 

Earl Lloyd joined the NBA in 1950 after Washington Capitols signed him. He made seven appearances for the Capitols until January 9, 1951, when the season ended. 

Lloyd then joined the military and fought in Korea before returning to the NBA in 1952. He captured four U.S. Army basketball titles while in the military.

However, he struggled in his first season after returning from the military before picking up momentum the following season. 

Lloyd and his teammate Jim Tucker made history in 1955, as they became the first black players to win an NBA Championship. 

Earl Lloyd spent nine seasons at the NBA, playing over 550 games and averaging 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

In 1965, Earl Lloyd made history once again as he became the first African American assistant coach. Jerry Green of Detroit News reported that there were plans to appoint Lloyd as Detroit Pistons head coach before he became the assistant to Dave DeBuschere.

At the start of the 1972-73 season, Earl Lloyd was named head coach for Detroit Pistons, making him the first NBA’s non-playing coach. 

He was also the third African-American head coach in the NBA, after John McLendon and Bill Russell. However, his reign as manager didn’t last long, as he was fired after a 2-5 start in the 1972-73 season. 

Earl Lloyd, the first black to play in the NBA, worked as Pistons’ scout for five seasons before leaving the league. 

The legend lived in Tennessee with his family until he passed away on February 26, 2015.

Earl Lloyd. Photo/ Sporing News.

FAQs

What Per Cent of the NBA is Black? 

According to Statista, 73.2 per cent of NBA players in 2021 were black. 

When Did Black People Start Playing College Basketball? 

Black people started participating in college basketball as early as 1831 when George Gregory played in that year’s high school basketball tournament. 

Who Was The First Non-White To Play In The NBA? 

In 1947, Wat Misaka made history by becoming the first non-white to play in the NBA. He was Asian-American. 

Which Was The First NBA Team To Start Five Black Players? 

Bolton Celtics became the first NBA team to feature black players in 1964 when Naulls replaced Heinsohn in the starting lineup. Heinsohn had suffered an injury. 

Bolton Celtics were also the first NBA franchise to draft a black player, Chuck Cooper.