The Draft That Changed the NBA
In the spring of 1950, the face of professional basketball shifted forever. The National Basketball Association’s longstanding color barrier was changed, opening the doors for the first six African American players to enter the league through the draft and free agency.
The roots of this historic moment had deep roots in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), whose immense talent could no longer be ignored.
Astonishingly, three of these trailblazers shared ties to a powerhouse Black college: West Virginia State. Among them was Chuck Cooper, who began his journey at West Virginia State before finishing his stellar collegiate career at Duquesne University.
In a matter of just twenty-four hours, the decisions made during that draft didn’t just alter team rosters—they changed the face of the league forever.
Chuck Cooper
West Virginia State/Duquesne
April 25, 1950, Chuck broke the NBA color barrier. A star forward out of Duquesne University, he became the first Black player ever drafted into the NBA by the Boston Celtics as the 13th overall pick in the second round of the 1950 NBA Draft.
Earl Lloyd
West Virginia State
On April 25, 1950, Lloyd was one of three Black players to enter the NBA. Lloyd was drafted in the 9th round with pick #100 by the Washington Capitals. On October 31, 1950, he was the first to actually play in a game in the NBA ahead of Chuck Cooper of the Boston Celtics and four days before Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton of the New York Knicks.
Harold Hunter
Tennessee State
He became the first African American to sign a professional contract with an NBA team when he joined the Washington Capitols on April 26, 1950. He was cut from the team during training camp and never played for an NBA team. He later coached the United States men’s national basketball team, Tennessee State University, and the U.S. Olympic basketball teams.
Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton
Xavier, LA
April 25, 1950
He was the first Black player to sign an NBA contract with the New York Knickerbockers. He launched his pro career with the New York Rens and the famed Harlem Globetrotters before joining the Knickerbockers.
Hank DeZonie
Clark Atlanta
On December 3, 1950, DeZonie signed a contract with the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, becoming the fourth black player in the NBA. He played with the Dayton Rens, an all-black traveling basketball team named after the Harlem Renaissance.
Bob Wilson
West Virginia State
He played for the Harlem Globetrotters and was among the first African Americans
to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA), with the Milwaukee Hawks during the 1951–1952 season.
