Who was the NBA's first black player?

shelly

Earl Lloyd was the first black NBA player in 1950. *Became the first African-American to play in an NBA game on October 31, 1950 *Became the first African-American to win an NBA championship (1955 with Syracuse) *Became first African-American Assistant Coach with Detroit Pistons (1968-70) *Became second African-American head coach and first African-American bench coach with Detroit Pistons (1970-71) Earl Lloyd, who in 1950 became the first African-American to play in a NBA game with the Washington Capitols, was instrumental in integrating professional basketball as a player and coach. http://www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/lloyd_earl.htm [Edited to add supporting reference - McG] Apr 07 01, 2:26 AM

longone610

Chuck Cooper was drafted in 1950 by the Celtics out of Duquesne and is considered the first black player in the NBA. Jan 20 06, 3:04 PM

McGruff

Charles H. Cooper (September 29, 1926 - February 5, 1984), better known as Chuck Cooper, was one of three players with legitimate claims to be the first African American basketball player in the NBA. Each satisfied a different condition of being "first": Cooper was the first black player to be drafted by an NBA team, in 1950. Shortly afterwards, Nat Clifton was the first black player to sign a contract with an NBA team. Finally, at the start of the 1950-51 season, Earl Lloyd was the first black to play in an NBA game, as his team started its season a day before either Cooper's or Clifton's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Cooper Jan 21 06, 1:35 AM