Earl Francis Lloyd was a professional basketball player and coach who holds a significant place in Black history as the first African American to play in the NBA. Lloyd was born on April 3, 1928, in Alexandria, Virginia. He played college basketball at West Virginia State University before being drafted by the Washington Capitols in the ninth round of the 1950 NBA draft.

On October 31, 1950, Earl Lloyd made his historic NBA debut with the Washington Capitols, becoming the first Black player to compete in an NBA game. Lloyd's breakthrough paved the way for other African American players to enter the league and helped to break down racial barriers in professional basketball.

Lloyd went on to have a successful career in the NBA, playing for the Syracuse Nationals and the Detroit Pistons. He later became a coach in the NBA, making further contributions to the sport.

Earl Lloyd's legacy extends beyond his accomplishments on the basketball court. He was a trailblazer for Black athletes in the NBA and a symbol of perseverance and excellence. Lloyd's groundbreaking achievement is remembered and celebrated as an important moment in Black history and the history of American sports.