(BPRW) NBA and NBPA to honor 75th anniversary of first Black NBA players throughout 2025-26 season<\/p>\n
(Black PR Wire)\u00a0NEW YORK<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) today announced that they will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NBA Pioneers \u2013 Chuck Cooper, Nathaniel \u201cSweetwater\u201d Clifton and Earl Lloyd, the league\u2019s first Black players \u2013 throughout the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n As part of the celebration, the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics will tip off Black History Month and celebrate NBA Pioneers Day with the inaugural NBA Pioneers Classic on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.\u00a0 Going forward, the NBA Pioneers Classic will be played between two NBA teams on Feb. 1 \u2013 NBA Pioneers Day \u2013 each year to recognize the start of Black History Month and honor the legacy of the NBA Pioneers.\u00a0 As part of the matchup, the Bucks and Celtics will be outfitted with commemorative jersey patches and warm-up shirts, with the winning team receiving the NBA Pioneers Trophy.<\/p>\n \u201cChuck Cooper, Nat \u201cSweetwater\u201d Clifton and Earl Lloyd\u2019s courage and determination broke barriers and changed the course of NBA history,\u201d said NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum.\u00a0 \u201cWe look forward to honoring their enduring legacy around this milestone anniversary and in the many years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs we celebrate the 75th\u202fanniversary and legacy of the NBA Pioneers\u202fChuck Cooper, Nathaniel \u201cSweetwater\u201d Clifton and Earl Lloyd we are reminded that if not for the courage, determination, and resilience of Black athletes, our league would not be what it is today,\u201d said NBPA Foundation Executive Director\u202fErika Swilley.\u00a0 \u201cOur players thank them for paving the way for future generations and for their impact that extends far beyond the basketball court.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOn behalf of the Cooper, Clifton and Lloyd families, we are grateful to the NBA and NBPA for this incredible recognition and for establishing the annual NBA Pioneers Classic and Day,\u201d said Chuck Cooper III.\u00a0 \u201cEnsuring our fathers\u2019 legacies continue to inspire future generations and fans.\u201d<\/p>\n Throughout Black History Month and at NBA All-Star 2026 in Los Angeles, the NBA and NBPA will host community events, hold in-game moments recognizing the NBA Pioneers, share educational resources from partners, promote player content and curate a digital NBA Black History virtual gallery across NBA social channels and on the Black History Month webpage on NBA.com (https:\/\/www.nba.com\/bhm<\/a>).\u00a0 In addition, the 5th annual NBA HBCU Classic presented by AT&T between Hampton University and North Carolina A&T State University will take place at NBA All-Star 2026, and NBA teams will wear special warm-up shirts throughout February to celebrate the legacy of Cooper, Clifton and Lloyd.<\/p>\n The NBA and NBPA\u2019s season-long celebration of the NBA Pioneers\u00a0tipped off during the 2025 NBA Draft<\/a>\u00a0presented by State Farm when the family members of Cooper, Clifton and Lloyd were recognized.\u00a0 NBA stars Jaylen Brown, Stephen Curry and Karl-Anthony Towns reflected on the impact, influence and legacy of the NBA Pioneers\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n In 1950, Cooper was the first Black player drafted into the league (April 25), Clifton was the first to sign with an NBA team (May 24), and Lloyd was the first to appear in an NBA game (Oct. 31).\u00a0 Their resilience, vision and leadership fundamentally reshaped the game, laying the foundation for a more dynamic league and inspiring generations to dream bigger and push further.\u00a0 Read more about the history of what the Pioneers overcame\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Source: NBA<\/p>\n