Earl Lloyd, the man that broke the NBA’s color barrier back in 1950, has reportedly passed away at the age of 86.
Lloyd’s death was confirmed by his alma mater West Virginia State, who released this statement Thursday night.
The State family mourns the loss of a fellow Yellow Jacket and trailblazer who was a true champion both on and off of the basketball court,” West Virginia State president Brian Hemphill said in a statement. “When Earl stepped out on the court on that fateful date in 1950, this remarkable man rightfully earned his place in the historic civil rights movement and, more important, he opened the door to equality in America.
Joining the NBA three years after Jackie Robinson broke the MLB color barrier, Lloyd played nine seasons in the Association. Lloyd was a member of the 1955 Syracuse Nationals NBA Championship team, joining teammate Jim Tucker as the first two black players to win a title.
A U.S. Army vet, Lloyd also coached the Detroit Pistons for parts of two seasons in the early 1970’s. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.
Upon hearing of Lloyd’s death, some from around the NBA passed on their condolences.
Old Denver Post story, perhaps my favorite I’ve written, with Earl Lloyd telling his story from Crossville, Tennessee http://t.co/ejJpmYflNV
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 27, 2015
Sending our thoughts to the family & friends of Earl Lloyd, the first African-American to play in the @NBA. #NBABHM pic.twitter.com/P5CeWc478A
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 27, 2015
Some stories Earl Lloyd shared with me in 2003. (The James quoted at the end is LeBron). pic.twitter.com/Nr31XPnMfr
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) February 27, 2015
Lloyd is survived by a wife and three sons.
Photo: Getty Images