Lusia Harris
February 10, 1955 – January 18, 2022
The first and only black woman ever drafted by the NBA
Lusia Mae Harris, born on February 10, 1955, and sadly passing on January 18, 2022, was a renowned American professional basketball player and a true pioneer in the world of women’s basketball. Her exceptional talent and dedication to the sport were evident from her college years when she played for Delta State University. During her collegiate career, Harris achieved remarkable success by leading her team to three consecutive Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) National Championships, a remarkable feat that laid the foundation for her future greatness.
On the international stage, Harris proudly represented the United States as a member of the national women’s basketball team. Her participation in the 1976 Olympic Games marked a historic moment in the sport’s history, as it was the inaugural women’s basketball tournament at the Olympics. Harris’s incredible skills and contributions to the team led to the United States securing a silver medal, further cementing her legacy as a basketball trailblazer.
Harris’s extraordinary talents also transcended gender boundaries when she joined the Houston Angels of the Women’s Professional Basketball League (WBL). Notably, she achieved a unique milestone by becoming the first and only woman ever officially drafted by the National Basketball Association (NBA), a league traditionally dominated by male athletes. This groundbreaking moment not only highlighted Harris’s exceptional abilities but also served as an inspiration for future generations of female athletes.
In the 1977 NBA draft’s seventh round, Lusia Mae Harris made history when the New Orleans Jazz selected her as the 137th overall pick, becoming only the second woman ever drafted by an NBA team. Remarkably, she was the first and only woman officially drafted since the league voided the earlier selection of Denise Long in 1969. Harris, however, didn’t pursue an NBA career and declined the Jazz’s tryout offer, later revealed to be due to her pregnancy at the time. This historic draft pick placed her ahead of 33 male players, including the Jazz’s own selection in the eighth round. While Harris never played in the NBA, she briefly pursued a professional basketball career during the 1979-80 season with the Houston Angels in the Women’s Professional Basketball League (WBL). In 1978, she had been initially chosen as the number one free agent by the Angels, marking another milestone in her trailblazing journey.
In recognition of her outstanding achievements and enduring impact on the sport, Lusia Mae Harris earned a well-deserved place in the prestigious Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Her legacy continues to inspire and empower women in basketball and stands as a testament to her pioneering spirit, exceptional talent, and dedication to the game she loved. Lusia Mae Harris will forever be remembered as a trailblazer who transformed women’s basketball and left an indelible mark on the sport’s history.
Her personal life
Lusia Mae Harris earned her bachelor’s degree in health, physical education, and recreation from Delta State University in 1977. Following her graduation, she contributed to Delta State as an admissions counselor and assistant basketball coach. In 1984, she furthered her education by obtaining a master’s degree in education from Delta State. Her coaching career continued as she served as the head coach at Texas Southern University in Houston for two years before returning to Mississippi. Back in her home state, she taught and coached at various high schools, including Amanda Elzy High School in Greenwood, the Greenville Public School District, and Ruleville Central High School.
Harris wed George E. Stewart on February 4, 1977, and together they had four children, including two sons and twin daughters.
Lusia Mae Harris passed away on January 18, 2022, in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, shortly before her 67th birthday.
Lusia Mae Harris’s Awards, Honors, and Legacy:
- AIAW National Championships (1975-1977): Harris led Delta State University to three consecutive AIAW National Championships, establishing her as a dominant force in college basketball.
- Silver Medal at the 1976 Olympics: Harris represented the United States in the inaugural women’s basketball tournament at the 1976 Olympic Games, helping her team secure a historic silver medal.
- First Woman Drafted by the NBA: Lusia Mae Harris achieved an extraordinary milestone by becoming the first and only woman officially drafted by the National Basketball Association (NBA).
- Induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: In recognition of her exceptional contributions to the sport, Harris was honored with induction into the prestigious Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
- Induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame: Harris’s enduring legacy in women’s basketball was further celebrated with her induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, where her impact on the game is forever enshrined.
Lusia Mae Harris’s legacy extends far beyond her accolades and achievements. She remains an inspiration to aspiring female athletes, breaking down barriers and paving the way for women in basketball. Her historic draft by the NBA serves as a testament to her exceptional talent and the progress made toward gender equality in sports. Lusia Mae Harris’s pioneering spirit and dedication continue to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on the history of women’s basketball and inspiring generations of athletes to reach new heights.