- Chuck Cooper: first African Amer â¦ ican to be drafted by an NBA team-Nat Clifton: first African American to sign a contract and make the roster with an NBA team-Earl Lloyd: first African American to play in an NBA game. Earl Lloyd was first black NBA player, Chuck Cooper was the first black player to be drafted, and Nat Clifton was the first black player to sign a contract with an NBA t â¦ eam.