AUBURN HILLS, MI (WTVB) – Former Pistons coach and player Earl Lloyd, who was the first African American to play in an NBA game, died Thursday at the age of 86. He played in his first game with the Washington Capitols in 1950. Lloyd also played with Syracuse, where he won a title in 1955.
He coached the Pistons in 1971 and 1972. Lloyd was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame as a contributor in 2003.
The Pistons host the New York Knicks tonight at the Palace.
