In the early 1900's African Americans didnt have many of the simple privilages as whites. Blacks could not stayin certain hotels or even eat in certain restaurants. There were many brave African Americans trying to gain equal rights and many of them made history. As did three men did during 1950 as they set a new standard for the NBA. Earl Lloyd, Chuck Cooper, and Nathaniel Clifton made history in 1950 when they entered the National Basketball Association draft. Cooper was the first African American to be drafted by a NBA team, Clifton was the first black to sign with a team, and Lloyd was the first African American to play in a National Basketball game.
Earl Lloyd attened college at West Virginia State College were he won ALL-American twice and cought the eyes of NBA coaches. Nicknamed " The Big Cat" Lloyd was drafted by the Washington Capitols were he played seven games before the organization folded. He then spent six years with Syracuse and two years with the Detroit Pistons. Lloyd played in over 560 games in his nine seasons in the NBA, the huge 6-foot-5, 225-pound forward averaged 8.4 ppg and 6.4 rpg.
Charles Cooper, or better known as Chuck Cooper, was the first African American to drafted into the NBA. Cooper played his college basketball at Duquesne University and West Virginia State. Cooper was then signed by Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach. Cooper played four years with the Celtics then was traded to the Milwaukee Hawks before ending his career as a Fort Wayne Piston.Cooper played a total of 409 games, scoring 2,725 points for an average of 6.66 ppg, with 2,431 rebounds for an average of 5.9 pg, and 733 assists for an average of 1.79 pg
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Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton, was a multi-sport athlete best known for the first African American to sign in the NBA. Clifton was given his Sweetwater nickname because as a boy he loved soft drinks. Clifton played college basketball at Xavier University of Louisiana and also fought in WW2 for three years. Clifton started his NBA career with the New York Knicks at the age of 27. In his first season, Clifton lead his team to its first-ever appearance in the NBA finals. During his eight seasons in the NBA, Clifton averaged 10 ppg and 9 rebounds pg. He was also named to the 1957 NBA All Star team, at the age of 34 he was named the oldest player to be name to a All Star team.
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