The stories and legacies of Earl Lloyd, Chuck Cooper and Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton have been woven into the fabric of the NBA.
Debut Games. On October 31, 1950, Earl Lloyd stepped onto the court and into history as the first Black player to play in an NBA game, becoming a Pioneer in the NBA.
MONROE, La. (KNOE) - On Oct. 31, 1950, Earl Lloyd became the first African American to play in an NBA game. Lloyd was a ...