Celebrating Earl Lloyd: The Rochester Connection to the NBA's Trailblazer

More than 75 years after breaking the NBA's color barrier, Earl Lloyd's historic debut is remembered in Rochester.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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In 1950, Earl Lloyd became the first African American player to take the court in an NBA game when he played for the Washington Capitals against the Rochester Royals. Though Lloyd did not play for the Royals, the team had already integrated its roster years earlier with the signing of William "Dolly" King in 1946. While the Royals' history is not widely celebrated today, local residents like Ronald Mack have fond memories of attending games at the now-demolished Edgerton Park Sports Arena and meeting NBA legends like Lloyd.

Why it matters

Earl Lloyd's historic debut broke down racial barriers in professional basketball, paving the way for greater diversity and inclusion in the sport. The Rochester Royals were also an early adopter of integration, challenging the racial segregation that persisted in many areas of society at the time. Though the Royals' legacy has faded, their story is an important part of Rochester's and the NBA's history.

The details

On October 31, 1950, Earl Lloyd made his NBA debut for the Washington Capitals against the Rochester Royals, becoming the first African American player to take the court in a league game. While Lloyd did not play for the Royals, the team had already integrated its roster years earlier with the signing of William "Dolly" King in 1946. The Royals played at the Edgerton Park Sports Arena in Rochester, which has since been demolished. Local resident Ronald Mack has fond memories of attending Royals games as a child and even meeting Lloyd when he played for the rival Syracuse Nationals.

  • Earl Lloyd broke the NBA's color barrier on October 31, 1950.
  • The Rochester Royals won the NBA championship in 1951.
  • The Royals played in Rochester from 1945 to 1957 before becoming the Sacramento Kings.

The players

Earl Lloyd

The first African American player to take the court in an NBA game, playing for the Washington Capitals in 1950.

William "Dolly" King

An African American player who joined the Rochester Royals in 1946, before the NBA's racial integration.

Ronald Mack

A Rochester resident who attended Royals games as a child and met NBA legends like Earl Lloyd and Bob Cousy.

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What they’re saying

“It was not with the Royals. No, it was with their opponents who would come in to play — the Washington Capitals. And they brought with them their new acquisition, Earl Lloyd.”

— Rebecca Edwards, RIT professor (whec.com)

“I went to a lot of games at the Edgerton Park, which is now torn down, but it was great. We used to scrimmage Syracuse, and Earl Lloyd was on that team, and that's my only connection there. He was a nice man. He was a wonderful man. He was great.”

— Ronald Mack (whec.com)

What’s next

The 75th anniversary of the Rochester Royals' 1951 NBA championship will be celebrated on April 2, 2026.

The takeaway

Earl Lloyd's historic debut broke down racial barriers in the NBA, while the Rochester Royals were early adopters of integration, challenging the segregation of the time. Though the Royals' legacy has faded, their story is an important part of Rochester's and the NBA's history.