On October 31, 1950, 21-year-old Earl Lloyd became the
first African American to play in an NBA game when he took      
to the court in the season opener for the Washington Capitols.       

  
 

The American Basketball Association (ABA) was a men’s
professional basketball major league from 1967 to 1976.

The ABA merged into the National Basketball Association
(NBA) in 1976, resulting in four ABA teams joining the NBA
and the introduction of the NBA 3-point shot in 1979.

CINCINNATI (WKRC) — A hall-of-famed, Emmy-winning sports broadcasting icon will be hanging up the microphone in 2025.

Charles Barkley, former basketball figure and TNT sports host,
revealed 2025 will be his last year as a broadcaster. Following
game four of the NBA Finals on Friday, Barkley told reporters
he would be retiring following the 2024-2025 NBA season. He
turned 61 in February.

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – Former Philadelphia 76ers player
Drew Gordon has died in a car crash in Clackamas County,
according to ESPN.

Gordon’s agent confirmed to ESPN that the forward died in a
crash on Thursday afternoon. The accident occurred near the intersection of South Springwater Road and South Bakers
Ferry Road. 

According to officials, the driver of a three-wheeled autocycle,  
Gordon, died at the scene. The preliminary investigation
indicates that he crossed over the center line and collided
with a GMC Sierra pickup. Drew Gordon was 33.

The driver of the GMC and a passenger were both transported
to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Gordon played for the 76ers during their 2014-15 season. He
is the brother of Aaron Gordon, a current player for the Denver
Nuggets.

 
Bill Walton with the Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1979)

William Theodore Walton III (November 5, 1952 – May 27, 2024)

PORTLAND, Ore. — Former Portland Trail Blazers legend Bill         
Walton lost his battle with cancer.

Walton rose to fame as part of the team that brought Portland its
only NBA Championship in 1977.