Earl Lloyd was an American professional basketball player who is widely regarded as a pioneer in the sport. He was the first African American to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Lloyd was born in Alexandria, Virginia in 1928 and was a standout athlete in high school, playing both basketball and football.

Lloyd attended West Virginia State College, where he was a three-time All-American and led the team to two CIAA championships. He was drafted in the ninth round of the 1950 NBA draft by the Washington Capitols, making him the first African American to be drafted into the NBA.

Lloyd made his NBA debut in October 1951 with the Capitols, becoming the first African American to play in the league. He went on to play for the Syracuse Nationals and Detroit Pistons, winning an NBA championship with the Nationals in 1955.

Lloyd was known for his defensive prowess, and was selected to the NBA All-Star team in 1956. He retired from the NBA in 1960, but continued to play in the Eastern Professional Basketball League until 1973.

After his playing career, Lloyd became a coach and scout, working for the Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.

Lloyd was a trailblazer in the sport of basketball, and his legacy lives on today. He was a key figure in the integration of the NBA, and his contributions to the game will never be forgotten.

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