Earl Lloyd was the first black to play in an NBA game when he joined the Washington Capitols in the 1950-51 NBA season. In the Black History Month, the 83-year-old Hall of Famer will be honored at the Atlanta Hawks-Miami Heat game on Sunday.

Six other African-Americans will be honored at all Hawks home games this month. After Lloyd, the NBA has increased the number of black players with 78 percent of players being black according to the league's report last year. More than 80% of the players are people of color. 

Lloyd, who played more than 560 NBA games since 1950, is glad that he helped pave the way for the people of color to play in NBA.