Lusia Harris (1955-2022)

Groundbreaking basketball star Lusia Harris, the only woman to be drafted by an NBA team, has died at the age of 66. Harris’ family announced Tuesday that she died unexpectedly earlier in the day in her home state of Mississippi. – via Steve Gardner @ USA Today Sports

Harris was selected by the New Orleans Jazz in the seventh round (137th overall) of the 1977 NBA draft. However, she declined to try out for the team. Only later was it revealed that she was pregnant at the time. – via Steve Gardner @ USA Today Sports

“She will be remembered for her charity, for her achievements both on and off the court, and the light she brought to her community, the State of Mississippi, her country as the first woman ever to score a basket in the Olympics, and to women who play basketball around the world.”

Harris’ family said in a statement.

In 1992, Harris became the first Black woman to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. And seven years later, she was one of 26 inductees in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. – via USA Today Sports