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This Day in Black History: Oct. 31, 1950

Earl Lloyd becomes first Black player to play in NBA game.

Earl Lloyd became the first Black player to play in an NBA game when he took to the court for the Washington Capitols.  He would go on to play for the Syracuse Nationals (who later became the Philadelphia 76ers). After retiring from playing, Lloyd served as a scout and then as an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons. In 1970 he became head coach of the Detroit team, making him the first full-time Black head coach in the league. Lloyd was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.

(Photo: GettyImages)

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