First black player of NBA dies

Washington: Earl Lloyd, the first African-American hoopster to play in the NBA, has died at the age 86.

Floyd, who died late Thursday, began his career with Washington Capitols in 1950 after which he helped Syracuse Nationals win the 1955 NBA title. He finished his nine-season playing career with Detroit Pistons and averaged 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds during his career, reports Xinhua.

Lloyd went on to become one of NBA's first African-American head coaches with Pistons from 1971-72.