Earl Lloyd, an Alexandria native, integrated the NBA in 1950 with the Washington Capitols. I blogged about this on 60th anniversary. He didn’t last long before entering the Army while the Capitols folded in early 1951. Lloyd would play for the Syracuse Nationals, winning the 1955 NBA title. His final two years were with the Detroit Pistons where he would also become head coach, the second African-American to hold the top job after Bill Russell.
More on Earl Lloyd:
Wizards Magazine Extra: Remembering Earl Lloyd – Monumental Network
Earl Lloyd, first black player in NBA, dead at 86 – NBA.com
Earl Lloyd, first African American player in the NBA, dies at 86 – The Post
