When the Boston Celtics drafted Chuck Cooper - the first Black player selected in the NBA Draft - in 1950, he joined another rookie who went on to have a Hall of Fame career, the legendary Bob Cousy. Jaylen Brown tells the story of a friendship that saw Cooper and Cousy go through good times, and bad. As we continue to honor the legacy of the NBA Pioneers, the Bucks and Celtics will tip off Black History Month and celebrate NBA Pioneers Day with the inaugural NBA Pioneers Classic this Sunday, Fe

As we tip off Black History Month and celebrate the first-ever NBA Pioneers Day today, look back at the NBA debuts of the league’s three Pioneers and first Black players: Earl Lloyd, Chuck Cooper and Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton. On 10/31/1950, Earl Lloyd, the first Black player to play in an NBA game, made his NBA debut for the Washington Capitols against the Rochester Royals. A day later, on 11/1/1950, Chuck Cooper, the first Black player selected in the NBA Draft, made his NBA debut for the Bosto