nba Today, the NBA celebrates the 75th Anniversary of the historic 1950 NBA Draft, commemorating the season that broke the color barrier when the first Black players entered the NBA. #NBAPioneers75 75 years ago, three Pioneers Chuck Cooper, Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, and Earl Lloyd broke the color barrier and paved the way for the generations that followed. Chuck Cooper became the first Black player selected in the NBA Draft, going No. 13 overall as the first pick of the second round to the Boston Celtics. Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton became the first Black player to sign an NBA contract, joining the New York Knicks from the Harlem Globetrotters on May 24. Earl Lloyd became the first Black player to play in an NBA game. After being selected by the Washington Capitols as pick No. 100, six months later the Capitols opened the 1950-51 season on October