Sweetwater Clifton of the Harlem Globetrotters became the first African-American to sign an NBA contract (Knicks); Chuck Cooper was the first drafted (Celtics); and Earl Lloyd, playing one day before the other two, became the first African-American to play in the NBA (Washington Capitols).

Answered by Romi , an ibibo Master, at 12:21 PM on October 01, 2007