Lusia Harris, Hall of Famer and only woman drafted by the NBA, dies aged 66
The basketball world lost a giant on Tuesday when Lusia Harris, a frontrunner in the women’s sport, died aged 66, according to reports. Cause of death was not given.
“We are deeply saddened to share the news that our angel, matriarch, sister, mother, grandmother, Olympic medalist, Basketball Queen, Lusia Harris passed away unexpectedly today today. in Mississippi,” the family said in a statement. “Recent months have brought Mrs Harris great joy, including news of her youngest son’s impending wedding and the recognition of a documentary that has recently garnered worldwide attention. about her story.”
Harris became the first black woman to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992, and remains the only female player ever to be enlisted by an NBA team. The New Orleans Jazz selected her in the seventh round of the 1977 Draft, although she ultimately didn’t try the team because she was pregnant at the time.
At Delta State, Harris was a three-time All-American champion and led her school to three national championships in 1975, 1976 and 1977. She later made history on the international stage, scored the first points in women’s basketball history at the 1976 Olympics. She and her US teammates won a silver medal.