Basketball Hall-of-Famer Earl Lloyd passed away yesterday at the age of 86.
A shutdown defensive forward, Lloyd was the first African-American to ever play in the NBA (in 1950 with the Washington Capitols), the first African-American to ever suit up for a league champion in the NBA (in 1955 with the Syracuse Nationals) and the first African-American to serve as a head coach and as a head coach only (Bill Russell had been a player-coach) in the NBA (in 1971 with the Detroit Pistons).
He contributed greatly to the game and he will be missed.
A shutdown defensive forward, Lloyd was the first African-American to ever play in the NBA (in 1950 with the Washington Capitols), the first African-American to ever suit up for a league champion in the NBA (in 1955 with the Syracuse Nationals) and the first African-American to serve as a head coach and as a head coach only (Bill Russell had been a player-coach) in the NBA (in 1971 with the Detroit Pistons).
He contributed greatly to the game and he will be missed.
RIP Earl Lloyd
