The NBA as we know today, with African-American players pretty much being the majority in the league, gets taken for granted because it has been like this for so long. However it wasn’t always like this young sports fans. The NBA used to be full of nothing but white players, and I mean really white. Earl Lloyd showed courage and made such an incredible long term impact when he played his first NBA game in 1950, becoming the first black player in the history of the league, and at the same time changing the future.
@IamJoeSports
Lloyd’s alma mater, West Virginia State, confirmed his death. It did not provide details.
Lloyd made his NBA debut in 1950 for the Washington Capitals, just before fellow black players Sweetwater Clifton and Chuck Cooper played their first games.
“The State family mourns the loss of a fellow Yellow Jacket and trailblazer who was a true champion both on and off of the basketball court,” West Virginia State president Brian Hemphill said in a statement. “When Earl stepped out on the court on that fateful date in 1950, this remarkable man rightfully earned his place in the historic civil rights movement and, more important, he opened the door to equality in America.”
Lloyd helped the Syracuse Nationals win the 1955 NBA title, joining teammate Jim Tucker as the first black players to play on a championship team.
The 6-foot-5 forward averaged 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in 560 regular-season games in nine seasons with Washington, Syracuse and Detroit. He missed the 1951-52 season while serving in the U.S. Army.
Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 as a contributor, Lloyd was 22-55 as Detroit’s coach in 1971-72 and the first nine games in the 1972-73 season.
Hundred and hundreds of players owe Mr Lloyd a debt of gratitude. He was a trailblazer and was fearless about it. Rest in peace Earl Lloyd.
