Earl Lloyd was a dominant forward for West Virginia State basketball in the late 1940s, garnering All-American honors twice and being named All-Conference in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association three times between 1948 and 1950. His stellar play put him on the radar of NBA teams and in 1950, he finally made it to the National Basketball Association. He was the first Black American to play a game in the NBA.
Lloyd was drafted in the 9th round (Pick #100) by the Washington Capitals in the 1950 NBA Draft. And on Oct. 31st, 1950, Lloyd made history when he played his first game. He scored six points and grabbed 10 rebounds in his debut against the Rochester Royals.
