Statue, Street Name To Honor Earl Lloyd, First Black NBA Player

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The late Earl Lloyd, an Alexandria resident who became the first African American person in history to play in an NBA game, will be honored by his home city in several ways. On Saturday, Alexandria City Council approved an honorary street name called "Earl Lloyd Way." In addition, a statue of Lloyd will be located at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, where a Parker-Gray Memorial Brick Walkway dedication is also planned.

The commemorative street name was the result of a request by the Alexandria African American Hall of Fame. The 1000 block of Montgomery Street, which is the location of Lloyd's childhood home, will be named "Earl F. Lloyd Way." Because it is an honorary street name, it will not change mailing addresses at the affected properties.

Mayor Justin Wilson said he was appreciative of Alexandria African American Hall of Fame for taking initiative on the honorary street name.

"We're honoring a son of Alexandria, someone who made some very, very significant contributions to our nation, and we're proud to do so," said Wilson during Saturday's City Council meeting. "This is the beginning of a couple opportunities to honor Earl Lloyd that we have underway."

Lloyd was also a 1946 graduate of the former Parker-Gray High School, which is now the location of the Charles Houston Recreation Center and home to the Alexandria African American Hall of Fame. ALX Now reported in July that Lloyd's wife, Charlita Lloyd, donated a statue to have it located inside the Alexandria African American Hall of Fame. The statue unveiling is being timed with the Oct. 31, 1950 anniversary of Lloyd's historic NBA debut.

In addition, the Parker-Gray Memorial Brick Walkway will be dedicated in a 2 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 24. The walkway recognizes the 100th anniversary of Parker-Gray High School which opened on Sept. 10, 1920 and served African American students.

The walkway, located at the main entrance of the recreation center, features the Parker-Gray Bulldog mascot and engraved bricks to honor teachers, students, individuals, families, houses of worship and the greater community. On-site attendance at the dedication ceremony will be limited; a livestream will be available.

As one of Parker-Gray's most celebrated athletes, Lloyd graduated with honors and attended West Virginia State, helping the basketball team win two CIAA Championships. In 1950, he was selected by the former Washington Capitols, leading him to make history as the first African American playing in an NBA game. Lloyd and Jim Tucker became the first African Americans to be on an NBA championship-winning team in 1955. After his playing concluded in 1960, Lloyd became the first Black coach in the NBA and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. He died in 2015.