Trailblazing Basketball Hall Of Famer, Lusia ‘Lucy’ Harris Died at 66

Three-time national champion at Delta State, Olympian, and trailblazer in women’s basketball history, Lusia Harris, has passed away at age 66. Harris has had quite a career and is arguably the “Queen of Basketball.” She was the first Black woman inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992, as well as drafted by the NBA’s New Orleans Jazz in 1977, making Harris the first and only woman to be officially drafted by an NBA team.

Harris’ family stated in the announcement of her passing: “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…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.”

Source: BET