#earl lloyd

[realtapiocafan]

today is the inaugural pioneers classic, meant to tip-off the beginning of black history month.

chuck cooper was the first black player to be drafted to the nba. nat 'sweetwater' clifton was the first to sign an nba contract. and on Oct. 31, 1950, earl lloyd, a member of the washington capitols, became the first black player to play in an nba game.

all three men who broke the color barrier have died, but we should still celebrate them and the legacy they left behind.

[whenweallvote]

#OnThisDay in 1950: The Boston @celtics drafted Charles “Chuck” Cooper, an All-American forward from Duquesne University in Pennsylvania — making him the first Black player ever selected in a @nba draft. 🏀

That year, Cooper, Earl Lloyd, and Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton became the first Black players in the NBA. Clifton was the first to sign an NBA contract — and on October 31, 1950, Lloyd, a member of the Washington Capitols, became the first African-American to play in an NBA game. 

We’re celebrating these trailblazers today! ⛹🏾‍♂️🙌🏾

[gregorygalloway]

Earl Lloyd (3 April 1928 – 26 February 2015)

[doubleclutch]

[gregorygalloway]

Earl Lloyd (3 April 1928 – 26 February 2015)

[gregorygalloway]

Earl Lloyd (3 April 1928 – 26 February 2015)

[scholarofgloom]

[9to5buzzcom]

On Oct 31, 1950, The Big Cat, aka Earl Lloyd, became the first African-American to play in the NBA.