The NBA plans to pay tribute to (from left) Chuck Cooper, Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton and Earl Lloyd during the 2025-26 season.
NEW YORK — Oct. 2, 2025 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) today announced that they will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NBA Pioneers – Chuck Cooper, Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton and Earl Lloyd, the league’s first Black players – throughout the 2025-26 season.
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. Going forward, the NBA Pioneers Classic will be played between two NBA teams on Feb. 1 – NBA Pioneers Day – each year to recognize the start of Black History Month and honor the legacy of the NBA Pioneers. 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.
“Chuck Cooper, Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton and Earl Lloyd’s courage and determination broke barriers and changed the course of NBA history,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. “We look forward to honoring their enduring legacy around this milestone anniversary and in the many years to come.”
“As we celebrate the 75th anniversary and legacy of the NBA Pioneers Chuck Cooper, Nathaniel “Sweetwater” 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,” said NBPA Foundation Executive Director Erika Swilley. “Our players thank them for paving the way for future generations and for their impact that extends far beyond the basketball court.”
“On 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,” said Chuck Cooper III. “Ensuring our fathers’ legacies continue to inspire future generations and fans.”
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. 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.
The NBA and NBPA’s season-long celebration of the NBA Pioneers tipped off during the 2025 NBA Draft presented by State Farm when the family members of Cooper, Clifton and Lloyd were recognized. NBA stars Jaylen Brown, Stephen Curry and Karl-Anthony Towns reflected on the impact, influence and legacy of the NBA Pioneers here.
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). 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. Read more about the history of what the Pioneers overcame here.
