Earl Lloyd
Earl Francis Lloyd was born in Alexandria, Virginia on the 3rd of April 1928. His father worked in the coal industry while his mother stayed home to raise the family. Lloyd attended Parker-Gray High School during a time when schools were strictly segregated by law. He played under Coach Louis Randolph Johnson and earned All-South Atlantic Conference honors three times. Lloyd also received All-State Virginia Interscholastic Conference recognition twice. These achievements set the stage for his future success despite the racial barriers of the era.
West Virginia State University became Lloyd's college home where he earned the nickname Moon Fixer due to his size. The Yellow Jackets team went undefeated with a 30, 0 record during the 1947, 48 season. Lloyd led them to two Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Championships in 1948 and 1949. As a senior he averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds per game. After graduation in 1950 he joined the Harlem Globetrotters before any NBA draft occurred. Lloyd helped lead the Globetrotters to two wins over the reigning Minneapolis Lakers. This experience proved his talents extended far beyond racial stereotypes.
the 31st of October 1950 marked the first time an African American player appeared in an NBA game. Earl Lloyd scored six points that night while playing for the Washington Capitols. He was drafted in the ninth round as pick number 100 by the same team. Chuck Cooper of the Boston Celtics played one day later on November 1st. Nat Sweetwater Clifton of the New York Knicks followed four days after that date. Lloyd's appearance came simply because the Capitols had the earliest season opener among teams drafting black players. His performance opened doors that remained closed for decades prior.
Lloyd helped the Syracuse Nationals win the 1955 NBA Championship against the Fort Wayne Pistons. The series ended with a score of 4 games to 3. He became one of the first African Americans to play on an NBA championship team alongside Jim Tucker. Fans sometimes spat on him during games and told him to go back to Africa. One incident occurred in Indiana where a fan spit directly at him. Lloyd recalled being refused service multiple times due to his race. Despite these slurs he maintained that if opponents called you names it meant you were hurting them. His philosophy kept him focused through years of hostility from crowds rather than teammates.
The Detroit Pistons hired Earl Lloyd as head coach for the 1971, 72 season. This made him the third African American head coach in league history after John McLendon and Bill Russell. He was also the first non-playing black person to hold such a position. A poor start of 2 wins and 5 losses led to his firing on the 28th of October 1972. Ray Scott replaced him as assistant coach turned head coach. Lloyd finished with an overall record of 22 wins and 55 losses across two seasons. Before coaching he served as a scout for five seasons helping draft Bailey Howell and discover Willis Reed. These scouting efforts laid groundwork for future Pistons success.
Lloyd worked as a job placement administrator for the Detroit public school system during the 1970s and 1980s. He ran programs teaching job skills to underprivileged children throughout those decades. Later in the 1990s he served as Community Relations Director for the Bing Group manufacturing company. An approach by a young player who felt indebted to him received no gratitude from Lloyd. He stated that he owed nothing to anyone for opening doors for future generations. His work focused on supporting youth rather than seeking personal recognition or financial gain.
Earl Lloyd was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 as a contributor. Virginia proclaimed the 9th of February 2001 as Earl Lloyd Day through action by its governor. A basketball court at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria was named in his honor in 2007. The state of Virginia honored him alongside seven other Virginians in 2015 for contributions to sports history. A statue unveiled at West Virginia State University's Walker Convocation Center appeared in 2014. The road running in front of that building became known as Earl Lloyd Way in 2018. Madison Street in Syracuse also received the name Earl Lloyd Way in 2022. These tributes recognized his impact long after his retirement in 1961.
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Common questions
When was Earl Lloyd born and where did he grow up?
Earl Francis Lloyd was born in Alexandria, Virginia on the 3rd of April 1928. His father worked in the coal industry while his mother stayed home to raise the family.
What historic NBA milestone did Earl Lloyd achieve on October 31 1950?
The 31st of October 1950 marked the first time an African American player appeared in an NBA game when Earl Lloyd scored six points playing for the Washington Capitols. He was drafted in the ninth round as pick number 100 by the same team before Chuck Cooper or Nat Sweetwater Clifton played their first games.
How many times did Earl Lloyd win an NBA championship and with which team?
Earl Lloyd helped the Syracuse Nationals win the 1955 NBA Championship against the Fort Wayne Pistons after a series that ended with a score of 4 games to 3. He became one of the first African Americans to play on an NBA championship team alongside Jim Tucker despite facing racial hostility from fans.
Who hired Earl Lloyd as head coach and what was his coaching record?
The Detroit Pistons hired Earl Lloyd as head coach for the 1971, 72 season making him the third African American head coach in league history. He finished with an overall record of 22 wins and 55 losses across two seasons before being fired on the 28th of October 1972.
When was Earl Lloyd inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame?
Earl Lloyd was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 as a contributor. Virginia proclaimed the 9th of February 2001 as Earl Lloyd Day through action by its governor while a basketball court at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria was named in his honor in 2007.