"You couldn't hold the ball anymore," Lloyd said. Lloyds alma mater, West Virginia State, confirmed his death to The Associated Press, though the school did not provide details. The NBA legend has teamed up with C Earl Lloyd | American basketball player | Britannica Earl Lloyd, first black player in NBA history, dies aged 86 Everybody in Detroit was lamenting. history, after Bostons Bill Russell, Seattles Lenny Wilkens and Golden States Al Attles. Earl Lloyd - Wikipedia Baseball was the national pastime and the NBA didnt grow into a sporting superpower until decades after Lloyd retired. "Syracuse was where I had the bulk of my success," Lloyd recalled. . West Virginia State, his alma mater, confirmed the death but did not provide details. Earl Lloyd, Basketball Player born - African American Registry finals against Syracuse. The organization hailed him as "a leader, a pioneer, a soldier." He later held an executive position with Chrysler, supervised youth leagues for the Detroit Police Department and counseled students in the citys school system. Earl Lloyd, First Black NBA Player, Dies at Age 86 - Blogs NBA Docuseries On Pioneer Black Players In Works From Kareem Abdul Instead, he would take his anger out on his opponents. This is the third installment of the series. The 1950-51 season marked the start of the league's racial integration, with three men serving together as pioneers. 5 Quotes From Earl Lloyd, The First Black Player In The NBA. In his novel, "They Cleared the Lane," Thomas, who has written extensively about the NBAs black pioneers, explains how the desire of a small group of team owners to secure the talent and gate attraction of black players eventually outweighed the reluctance of a majority of others. But Lloyd was not given to hyperbole. Being a high school standout, Lloyd was named to the All-South Atlantic Conference three times and the All-State Virginia Interscholastic Conference twice. Anybody can score. Nevertheless, on October 31, 1950, as a . Earl Lloyd, who became the first African American player in the National Basketball Association when he took the court with the old Washington Capitols in 1950 and who later became the. My philosophy was: If they werent calling you names, you werent doing nothing. In the playoffs, the Nationals shot past smaller Boston in three of four games but in the Finals found themselves down 3-2 to the Fort Wayne Pistons, who were also seeking their first title. 's up to your family. I said to my people, 'Look, don't worry. "I don't think my situation was anything like Jackie Robinson's-a guy who played in a hostile environment, where some of his teammates didn't want him around. He died in 2015. "I could get room service, but they wouldn't let me eat downstairs." It did not provide details. Lloyd's own experiences with race were colored by more than one game. Lloyd was named the Detroit Pistons head coach in 1971, becoming the fourth black head coach in N.B.A. 's First Black Player, Dies at 86", Goldaper, Sam. The guys that played against him tried to maim him. for nine seasons. ', "Today, when I talk to young players, they ask me 'What was the one trait that was most outstanding for yourself?' NPR's Nathan Rott has this remembrance. "My folks had very little to look forward to," Lloyd recalled. "The NBA had not even reached its infancy." lineups soon afterward were nonetheless pioneers, enduring racist jeers from spectators in some cities as well as segregated hotel and restaurant accommodations. Editor's Picks. Lloyds mastery of the game he loved prepared him to become the NBAs first black assistant coach and second black head coach. But the way I put it is this: If he had never picked me up, he would never have been criticized for it. Magic Johnson wrote, every African-American that's ever played in the NBA owes a debt of gratitude to Earl Lloyd for opening the door for us all. Earl Francis Lloyd's Biography - The HistoryMakers Earl Lloyd, first black player in NBA, dies at 86 [15], According to Detroit News sportswriter Jerry Green, in 1965 Detroit Pistons General Manager Don Wattrick wanted to hire Lloyd as the team's head coach. The integration of a fledgling basketball league was anticlimatic. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. 70 years ago today, Earl Lloyd of the . But around the time of the league's 50th anniversary, in 1996, when it began to celebrate its history, it also recognized Earl Lloyd. Earl Lloyd, 1st black player to appear in NBA game, dies - ESPN 13h Nick Friedell. Earl Lloyd, who became the first black player to appear in an N.B.A. In 2003, Lloyd was recognized for his contribution as a player and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Two other Black players entered the NBA in 1950, the same year as Lloyd. Associated Press,-, "Earl Lloyd, first black player in NBA, dies at 86," AP Top News Package (Feb. 27, 2015): McClatchy-Tribune Collection, EBSCOhost, accessed March 25, 2015, Phil Taylor and Ted Keith, "Earl Lloyd 19282015,", Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, "Strong Men & Women in Virginia History biography page", "Earl Lloyd | American basketball player", "Earl Lloyd becomes first black player in the NBA - HISTORY", "Earl Lloyd dies; helped break NBA race barrier", "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:: Earl Lloyd", "Earl Lloyd, N.B.A. On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson played his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Articles with the HISTORY.com Editors byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen and Christian Zapata. A rugged 6-foot-6, 220-pound forward, Earl Lloyd (11) played in the N.B.A. 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.. I say I was coachable," Lloyd said proudly. Earl Lloyd, 1st black player in NBA, dies at 86 | AP News Known as "the Big Cat," the 6'5 forward made his league debut in . for nine seasons. Players had to be inducted by a Hall of Famer and Dave Bing did Lloyd the honor. Those fans in Indianapolis, theyd yell stuff like, Go back to Africa, Lloyd told The Syracuse Herald American in 1992. Earl Lloyd and Sean Kirst, Moonfixer: The Basketball Journey of Earl Lloyd.Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, 2010. Lloyd laughed; there was no venom in his voice as he recalled Alexandria. All rights reserved. He was 86. Harrison's motto was "If he can play, he can play." "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.". While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. On October 31, 1950, 21-year-old Earl Lloyd becomes the first African American to play in an NBA game when he takes the court in the season opener for the Washington Capitols. '", Fans were most disappointed because Russell was an icon in Detroit after starring at the University of Michigan. Joining an all-white team was intimidating, Lloyd remembered, but his teammatesmost of whom had played on integrated college teamswere immediately welcoming. "No one said a word -- not the fans, players, anybody. He was 86. Earl Lloyd entered the league first, then Cooper and Clifton followed afterwards. Professional basketball trailed far behind baseball (and college basketball and pro and college football) in popularity. Lloyd spent six seasons with Syracuse and two with the Detroit Pistons before retiring in 1961. He was 86. (modern). Lloyds alma mater, West Virginia State, confirmed the death. He made history when his team, the Washington Capitols, played the Rochester Royals on Oct. 31, 1950, three years after Robinson debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Lloyd was the first AfricanAmerican assistant coach and was named head coach for the 197172 season, making him the third AfricanAmerican head coach, after John McLendon and Bill Russell. championship team, playing for the Syracuse Nationals. Editor's Picks. Earl Lloyd: The Forgotten NBA Pioneer | FIRST BLACK NBA PLAYER Theres no better honor than being validated by people who know you best. This guy picked me up every day, dropped me off every day. E arl Lloyd, the first black professional NBA player, passed away Thursday at the age of 86. "You never know about signings," he said. Earl Lloyd, the first black player to appear in an NBA game, died Thursday at the age of 86. Growing up in the Jim Crow South, he had learned to have both feet on the ground. Lloyd went on to play in the NBA for nine seasons, earning a reputation as a defensive specialist and eventually winning a championship for the Syracuse Nationals in 1955. "But given the times, you have to believe that a rookie and ninth-round draft choice -- that some folks are getting more money. We didn't have a football field, we didn't have a baseball diamond, we didn't have a practice field. "What really spurred them on and kept them going were the needs of their children. "The NBA family has lost one of its . '", So segregated was the city that Lloyd never played against white competition. Syracuse had been knocking on the door, having lost the seventh game of the NBA Finals to Minneapolis in 1954. And Im telling you, you would often hear the N-word. Earl Lloyd, the first black player in NBA history, died on Thursday. Updates? He was 86. Project Muse, EBSCOhost accessed March 26, 2015. "Syracuse was out there in the ice belt," Lloyd said. The stories of Lloyd, Cooper, Clifton, Dezonie and countless other men and women who traversed the American landscape during its darker days reveal the ongoing development of the American tapestry. He was a strong rebounder and was so tenacious on defense that he sometimes guarded the Minneapolis Lakers 6-foot-10 center, George Mikan, the leagues first superstar. One fan, as, Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis is portraying one of the first Black NBA players in new 'Sweetwater' film, Charles Barkley is thought-provoking but wrong about impending NBA lockout, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. That's when NBA 2K the 24-year-old franchise that simulates a professional . He missed the 1951-52 season while serving in the US army. "Earl Lloyd, the first African-American to play in an NBA game, was as inspirational as he was understated. In honoring them, we honor ourselves. He scored six points in that first game. Earl Lloyd, an Alexandria native, was a 6'5"-6'7" (depending on the source), 200-220lbs basketball player. Lloyd became the Pistons coach a few games into the 1971-72 season. To Lloyd's two reasons another can be added. Nothing was ever said about me being the first black. Earl Lloyd c. 1950. We had no facilities. Lloyd's alma mater, West Virginia State, confirmed the death. It did not provide details. We accepted our roles." ROTT: His teammates treated him as such, so did his coaches, but that's not to say it was easy. "That year the top two players in the country were Dave Bing, from Syracuse, and Cazzie Russell. "It just has a resounding effect," Lloyd said. If theyre calling you names, you were hurting them.[13], "In 1950, basketball was like a babe in the woods; it didn't enjoy the notoriety that baseball enjoyed," Lloyd once said. Earl Lloyd, first black player in NBA, dies at 86 While not as historically recognizable as Jackie Robinson, the first Black man to play Major League Baseball, Lloyd was a contemporary barrier breaker. Earl Lloyd: The first Black NBA player, and an unstoppable force "I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the officers of your famous team for signing a player without regard to race, creed or color. Earl Lloyd, the NBA's first black player, has died. "The way we played embodied the term 'team.' Lloyd was the first African-American to play in the NBA. The only thing they had to root for was us. Bing won the scoring title in 1968 and ended up being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990. [19], You cannot understand what an honor this is, Lloyd said in 2007 about the court at T. C. Williams High School being named in his honor. The integration of Major League Baseball had come and gone three and a half years before. Nate ("Sweetwater") Clifton, however, was the first African American to sign an NBA contract, joining the New York Knicks that summer. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound forward played in only seven games for the Washington Capitols before the team folded on January 9, 1951. Nat Clifton: The first Black player to sign an NBA contract Cooper, a forward, made his Celtics debut the next night, and Clifton, a forward and center, appeared in his first Knicks game three days after that. It was better than most people, even some professional people. Constant Beta, Creative Control and Abramorama have teamed for a wide release in North American for The First to Do It, a documentary feature about Earl Lloyd, the NBA's first black player. In school he was nicknamed "Moon Fixer" because of his size and was known as a defensive specialist. Growing up in Alexandria, Va., Lloyd said he was treated like a fourth-class citizen. He played only seven games his rookie season for Washington before being drafted into the service during the Korean War. The schedule resulted in Lloyd being the first black player to take the court in an NBA game, on October 31, 1950. "But I said, 'We are getting one hell of a basketball player.'". Earl Lloyd, 1st black player to appear in NBA game, dies - ESPN Earl Lloyd was born on April 3, 1928, and grew up Alexandria, Virginia. And going to practice ain't that bad, but coming back you're tired. They boasted balance with Red Kerr, Fred Rocha and Lloyd helping out with the board work and Paul Seymour, like Schayes a perennial All-Star, adding scoring and assists. "The NBA family has lost one of its patriarchs," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. Harrison signed black star William "Dolly" King to a contract in October 1946. Earl Lloyd #11 of the Syracuse Nationals shoots against Jack Nichols #16 of the Boston Celtics circa 1958 at the Onondaga War Memorial Arena in Syracuse, New York. He would encounter discrimination in several NBA cities. Nicknamed "The Big Cat", Lloyd was one of three black players to enter the NBA at the same time. Its 10-25 record was by far the worst in the league. The high schools were integrated. "The NBA family has lost one of its patriarchs," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a . Earl Lloyd was born in Alexandria, Virginia, on April 3, 1928, to Theodore Lloyd, Sr. and Daisy Lloyd. "It was too cold for the [Klu Klux] Klan there," he said with a laugh, recalling the story 55 years after that night. You can navigate days by using left and right arrows. He was 86. Earl Lloyd, a native of Alexandria, made history on October 31, 1950, by becoming the first black to play in the NBA. Fort Wayne was led by scorers Larry Foust and George Yardley. Harrison had also signed a second black player, Williams "Pop" Gates, in August, but Harrison let Gates go to the Buffalo Bisons. Trailblazing Basketball Legend Earl Lloyd Honored In Alexandria - NewsOne Bill Sharman was a stand-up guy when it wasn't fashionable. Tom Leyden of WXYZ in Detroit was the first to report Lloyds death, saying that Lloyds family confirmed the Hall of Famer died in the early afternoon. Opinion:Charles Barkley is thought-provoking but wrong about impending NBA lockout. As was the case for trail blazers in other sports like Jackie Robinson, the road was a rough one for Lloyd, Clifton and Cooper. "Fort Wayne didn't have the kind of foot speed that we had," Lloyd said, explaining the Nats' advantage. But Syracuse had a home-court advantage: the fans at the War Memorial Auditorium were rabid and Fort Wayne hadn't won once in 26 tries there. The NBA had to wait three more years to witness the first African-American player. Lloyd posted six points and grabbed 10 rebounds in his debut. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. [6], Lloyd was a 1946 graduate of ParkerGrey High School, where he played for Coach Louis Randolph Johnson. Lloyd quickly decided he would not respond to the insults; would not even look at the faces of those who spewed them. Two other Black players joined the NBA that seasonthe Celtics drafted Chuck Cooper in the second round and the New York Knicks got Nat Sweetwater Clifton from the Harlem Globetrottersbut the Knicks and the Celts didnt start their seasons until November. Written by Brandee Sanders Published on April 10, 2022 NewsOne Featured Video Source: Bettmann / Getty B arrier-breaking. He was a pioneer. It did not provide details. The National Basketball Retired Players Association said Lloyd "forever changed the game of basketball" on Halloween night in 1950. The implausibility of a more perfect union took root in what Ron Thomas, director of Morehouse College's Journalism and Sports Program, describes as an unspoken ban on black basketball players among the leagues team owners. Earl Lloyd, Oct. 30, 1972. "You had to give it up. We played very well together," Lloyd said. Cooper was the first black player drafted while Clifton was the first black to sign with an NBA team . Another fan in a different city told him to go back to Africa. Syracuse owned a bona-fide star in Schayes, the league's sixth-leading scorer and fourth-leading rebounder. Who was the first black to play in the NBA? - SportsLeo Lloyd played in all 11 of his teams postseason games, averaging more than 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists in the playoffs after finishing in the top five in the league in defensive win shares for the season. NATHAN ROTT, BYLINE: A tall, lean forward for the Washington Capitals, Earl Lloyd made his NBA debut and history when he stepped on the court in Rochester, N.Y. on October 31, 1950. Miami Heat. This town will not be disappointed. [7][8], Lloyd led West Virginia State to two Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Conference and Tournament Championships in 1948 and 1949. During the war there were integrated defense plant teams, such as the Chicago Studebakers. Lloyd, the first black player in NBA history, died Thursday at 86. Changing the day will navigate the page to that given day in history. It would have been an hour or hour-and-a-half bus ride for me. You had Jim Crow fountains, Jim Crow waiting rooms, you name it. West Virginia State, his alma mater, confirmed the death but did not provide details. Earl Lloyd, 1st black player to appear in NBA game, dies - ESPN The Associated Press contributed to this report, FIFA World Cup - Best Goals from Every Angle, Draw for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, FIFA Women's World Cup - Best Goals from Every Angle, FOX SPORTS, SPEED, SPEED.COM & 2023 Fox Media LLC and Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. Three-and-a-half years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball, there was Earl Lloyd. Inducted into the basketball hall of fame in 2003 as a contributor, Lloyd was 22-55 as Detroits coach in 1971-72 and the first nine games in the 1972-73 season. In 1970, he became the first full-time black head coach in the league. Lloyd was the first Black player to compete in an NBA game. (Bill Russell was the first.). degree in physical education in 1950.[8]. SI Vault: Few recall Earl Lloyd, the first black NBA player His teammates didn't want to play with him. Despite the difficulties in the South, Lloyd was quick to add that "Luck followed me around a lot." By Richard Goldstein. Earl Francis Lloyd (April 3, 1928 February 26, 2015) was an American professional basketball player and coach. They acted as if I was a player, period. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. A fan asked to see his tail. Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window), Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window), Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window), Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window), Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window), Current one is: October 31. They had beautiful uniforms and they couldn't beat the Little Sisters of the Poor.". Earl Francis "Big Cat" Lloyd, the first African American to play in a National Basketball Association game, was born on April 3, 1928 in Alexandria, Virginia. This was only due to scheduling, as two other black players, Charles Cooper and Nathaniel Clifton, played days later. Earl Lloyd, the NBA's first black player, has died. 'First To Do It': Docu About NBA's First Black Player Hits Theaters In Making a Difference: Profiles in Black History - Earl Lloyd I will always, always treasure this.[20], Lloyd and his wife, Charlita, had three sons and four grandchildren. As the announcer read the Capitols lineup on that first night of the season, a white man in the front row used a racial slur. Memphis Grizzlies veteran Vince Carter was among current NBA players expressing their thanks to Lloyd and offering their condolences to his family via Twitter: RIP to Mr. Earl Lloyd you opened that ever so important door for all African American athletes. In 2012, Lloyd was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. Earl Lloyd, N.B.A.'s First Black Player, Dies at 86 The fans vilified him. It didn't stop him. With a clock -- and without Mikan -- parity ruled. Lloyd is a pioneer whom many may not know, but everyone should. "But you're doing the man an injustice. Earl Lloyd, first African-American to play in NBA game, dies at 86 After his basketball career, Lloyd worked during the 1970s and 1980s as a job placement administrator for the Detroit public school system. His points, rebounds and assists climbed for three consecutive seasons, culminating with the 1954-55 campaign, when he peaked at 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists per contest. His father worked in the coal industry and his mother was a stay-at-home mom. I owe Earl a lot of thanks, Cervi, who coached him for four seasons, told Ron Thomas in the book They Cleared the Lane: The N.B.A.s Black Pioneers., Hes an unsung star. Fort Wayne had more to do with Syracuse owner Danny Biasone inventing the 24-second clock than any other team. Earl Lloyd, the first black player in NBA history, died Thursday. It didnt stop him. But Lloyd and three other black players who appeared in N.B.A. In 1950 he became the first African American man to play in the NBA. Lloyd recalled how a hotel manager in Baltimore refused to give him a room during a Nationals trip in the early 1950s and how his coach, Al Cervi, protested loudly to no avail. In 2014, a statue of Earl Lloyd was unveiled at West Virginia State University in the Walker Convocation Center. Like many Black sports pioneers before him, Earl Lloyd, the first Black player to appear in an NBA game, encountered the ugly side of humanity. He later became the first African-American assistant coach in the league and coached the Detroit Pistons for a year. I don't recall any mention in the newspapers about me being the first black to play in an NBA game." I never complained about that.". On the evening of Oct. 31, 1950, Lloyd made his debut when the Capitols opened their season on the road against the Rochester Royals at Edgerton Park Arena. Associated Press. Earl Lloyd, the first black player in NBA history, died yesterday. 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. They were Earl Francis Lloyd (Washington Capitols), Charles Henry Cooper (Boston Celtics), and Nathaniel Clifton (New York Knicks). The first African American players in the National Basketball Association in the twentieth century all came into the league in 1950. In 1950, Lloyd was among the first three black players drafted by an NBA team when he was signed by the Washington Capitols, and became the first black to play in an NBA game on .
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