Earl Lloyd

Earl Francis Lloyd ( born April 3, 1928 in Alexandria, Virginia ) is a retired American professional basketball player. On 31 October 1950 he became the first African American who came to use in a game of professional league NBA.

Depending on the definition, it can thus be called the first black man in the NBA. As the NBA opened in 1950 for black players, Chuck Cooper was drafted first, Nathaniel Clifton signed first contract with an NBA team, and Earl Lloyd turn came as the first choice, since for his team's season one days rather began as Cooper and four days rather than for Clifton. His first team was the Washington Capitols, but for which he was only seven times was used.

1955 Lloyd was as a performer with the Syracuse Nationals NBA champion. Later he became the first black assistant coach of the NBA and finally first black head coach of the Detroit Pistons.

Despite this position as a pioneer he only came to an official recognition in recent times. In February 2001 a youth basketball camp was opened in his hometown of Alexandria, and both the mayor of Alexandria as well as the governor of Virginia declared February 9, 2001 " Earl Lloyd Day". In 2003, Loyd was eventually recorded for his career as a power player in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.