who was the first black basketball player in the nba
Earl Lloyd, first black NBA player, dies at 86. April 23, 2003: Earl Lloyd is honored at halftime of the Detroit Pistons-Orlando Magic NBA basketball playoff game in Auburn Hills, Mich. Earl Lloyd, the first black player in NBA history, died Thursday. He was 86. Lloyd's alma mater, West Virginia State, confirmed the death. It did not provide details.