Earl Lloyd, NBA's first black player, dies

Earl Lloyd at the unveiling of a gymnasium in his honour in Alexandria

Washington, Feb 28: Earl Lloyd, the first African-American hoopster to play in the NBA, has died at the age 86. He was the first black person to play in the National Basketball Association, in the 1950–51 NBA season. Three other African Americans followed his lead and played in the same season: Chuck Cooper, Nathaniel Clifton, and Hank DeZonie.

Floyd, who died late Thursday, began his career with Washington Capitols in 1950 after which he helped Syracuse Nationals win the 1955 NBA title. He finished his nine-season playing career with Detroit Pistons and averaged 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds during his career, reports Xinhua.

Lloyd played in over 560 games in nine seasons, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound forward averaged 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

Lloyd went on to become one of NBA's first African-American head coaches with Pistons from 1971-72.