ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A former NBA player from Rochester is looking back at the one who paved the way for him.

Glen Hagan said he has a feeling of pride knowing that the NBA color barrier was broken right in his backyard. It was 70 years ago last weekend that Earl Lloyd played for the Washington Capitals and entered a game against the Rochester Royals.

"It's something huge, that's history. Anytime you talk about history or make history, that's to be remembered," said Hagan.

Because of Lloyd, Hagan never knew an NBA where black men weren't playing, so he knew he always had the chance to take his career as far as he wanted.

"I went to Franklin High School for seventh and eighth grade and I would peek through the screen door to watch the varsity players because I'm just waiting for my turn. You look at something and you want that and you have to go after it," recalled Hagan.

It was that drive that led him to play college hoops at St. Bonaventure. He then went on to play professionally with the Rochester Zeniths and the Boston Celtics.

Proud to have played in the NBA, he says he pays his respects to Lloyd - who changed professional basketball with that game in Rochester on Halloween in 1950. 

"It wasn't just that color barrier that day. It opened doors for everyone, be it Spanish, be it black, and even for the white guys. That's when you have a group of people that are coming together and playing. All you care about is the fact that you are out there and you are competing cause competition has no color," said Hagan.