West Virginia State University Athletics

Today, on the third anniversary of his passing, we celebrate former WVSU great basketball Earl Lloyd, a trailblazer in the truest sense of the word.

In 1950, Lloyd became the first African-American to play in an NBA game.

Following his playing days he would become the first African-American to be named an assistant coach and the first to be named a bench coach in the NBA.

Here are some more of  his accomplishments:

- National Basketball Hall of Fame Member
 
- A two-time College All-American
 
- CIAA Player of the Decade 1947-56
 
- Led West Virginia State to
National Championships in 1948 and 1949
 
- Led West Virginia State to
Only Undefeated Record in Country in 1948
 
- Voted one of CIAA's 50 Greatest Players
 
- First African-Americanto Play in an NBA Game
 
- First African-American to Play and Start for
an NBA Championship Team
 
- First African-American to Coach in NBA
 
- CIAA Hall of Fame Member
 
- State of Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Member

- West Virginia State University
  Hall of Fame Member