Basketball Hall-of-Famer Earl Lloyd (above) was known for nabbing rebounds and playing tough defense—not to mention achieving groundbreaking firsts.
Seventy years ago this month, Lloyd became the first Black athlete to play in a National Basketball Association (NBA) game. Later that season, he was drafted into the Army to fight in the
After his military service, Lloyd returned to play in the NBA for eight more years—and in 1955 helped lead the Syracuse Nationals to the championship.
Lloyd became the NBA’s first Black assistant coach, in 1968. In 1971, he became the league’s second Black head coach.
Before his death in 2015, Lloyd encouraged young players to make a difference:
“When you leave, I truly hope that you’ve done all you can possibly do to leave it a better place for the folks who come behind you,” he said.