WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — History was made when Alexandria, Virginia native Earl Lloyd became the first African American to in the NBA when he stepped on the hardwood for the Washington Capitols on October 31st, 1950. The game helped open doors for many after him to play in the league.
Lloyd was drafted by the Capitols in the ninth round of the 1950 draft and won an NBA championship with the Syracuse Nationals in 1955. After playing with the Nationals through the 1958, he finished his career playing for the Detroit Piston from 1958-1960.
Earl Lloyd played nine seasons in the NBA. He played in 560 games and averaged 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in his career.
In 1970, Lloyd also became the first full-time Black head coach in the NBA when he was hired by the Detroit Pistons on November 3, 1971.
He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. Over in Alexandria, Virginia, Lloyd has a street dedicated to him in his honor. In 2021, a statue ceremony was held at the Charles Houston Community Center in downtown Alexandria, which was formerly Parker Grey High School which Lloyd attended.
While Lloyd died on February 26, 2015, he leaves a lasting impression for everyone who has played the game of basketball.
