Lusia Harris finished her college career with 2,981 points and 1,662 rebounds, averaging 25.9 points and 14.5 rebounds per game. Harris became the first women ever drafted in the NBA when she was drafted in 1977 by the New Orleans Jazz.
Lusia Harris, the only woman to be officially drafted by an NBA team, has passed away at her home at 66-years-old. Harris family confirmed her passing eariler this week according to NBC News writing: “We are deeply saddened to share the news that our angel, matriarch, sister, mother, grandmother, Olympic medalist, The Queen of Basketball, Lusia Harris has passed away unexpectedly today in Mississippi.”
“The recent months brought Ms. Harris great joy,” the statement added, “including the news of the upcoming wedding of her youngest son and the outpouring of recognition received by a recent documentary that brought worldwide attention to her story.”
The 22-minute documentary, The Queen of Basketball, directed by Ben Proudfoot and was released in 2021. The short film debuted last summer at the Tribeca Film Festival and was shortlisted for the Oscars.
“I am completely heartbroken, particularly for Lucy’s family and friends,” Proudfoot said in a statement to Deadline. “Lucy was special. She welcomed us into her home and into her life. She enchanted us with her gentle spirit and infectious laugh, and she gave us all the gift of her incredible life story. True greatness and true humility met in the person of Lucy Harris.”
Harris led Delta State University to three straight national titles in the 1970s. She got 2,981 points and 1,662 rebounds, and still remains the school’s all-time scoring leader.
Harris made it to the United States Olympic Women’s Basketball team in 1976, which was the first time women competed in the sport at the Olympics. The next year, Harris was officially drafted in the seventh round by the New Orleans Jazz, however, she didn’t move forward with trying out for the team because she was expecting a child.
She was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992, Harris was the first Black woman to receive that honor. Harris was later inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.
Harris family’s statement added that 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.”
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