The sports world mourns the loss of a legend: Lusia “Lucy” Harris is dead. She was the first woman to score in basketball at the Olympics. Now the talented NBA player has passed away at the age of 66.
Mourning for Luisa Harris! The basketball player died unexpectedly.
Image: (icon image) daffodilred/AdobeStock
Mourning for Lusia “Lucy” Harris! The legendary basketball player, who became the first woman to score at the Olympics and one of the few women drafted into the NBA, died unexpectedly in her native Mississippi on Tuesday. This was confirmed by her family, according to “Deadline”. The sportswoman who entered the National Basketball Hall of Famer inductee was only 66 years old.
Lusia Harris is dead – cause of death not disclosed
Her family did not provide information on the cause of Lusia Harris’ death. Shortly before her death, the short documentary film “The Queen of Basketball”, directed by Ben Proudfoot, had caused enthusiasm. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and was recently shortlisted for an Oscar.
– Won three national ???? at Delta State, 3x AIAW tournament MVP, 3x All-American
– Scored the first points in Olympic WBB history
– First and only woman drafted in the NBA
– First Black woman inducted into the Basketball Hall of FameThe Queen of Basketball. RIP Lusia Harris pic.twitter.com/tMUUoRwrNS
— Sean Hurd (@seanahurd) January 19, 2022
“The past few months have brought Mrs. Harris great joy, including news of her youngest son’s upcoming wedding and the lavish recognition of a recent documentary that brought her story to global attention,” Lusia Harris’ family wrote in a statement. “She will be remembered for her charity, her achievements on and off the court, and the light she brought to her community, the state of Mississippi, her country as the first woman to make a basket in the Olympics, women around the world brought to the world who play basketball.”
Basketball legend and Olympic star passed away
The six-foot-three Harris played college basketball at Delta State from 1975-77 and led her school to three national championships, averaging 25.9 points and 14.5 rebounds. A triple All-American Athlete, she became the second woman to be drafted by an NBA team: the New Orleans Jazz team selected her after she competed at the 1976 Winter Olympics—the inaugural year of the Olympics Women’s Basketball Competition – competed for the US team. She scored the first basket and USA won the silver medal.
Mourning for basketball player Harris
“I am heartbroken, especially for Lucy’s family and friends,” the documentary’s director said in a statement to Deadline. “Lucy was special. She welcomed us into her home and into her life. She charmed us with her gentle spirit and infectious laugh, and shared her incredible life story with us all. True greatness and true humility met in the person of Lucy Harris.”
Funeral service for Lucy Harris to follow
Proudfoot added of Harris, “She was, in a word, transcendent — the Mississippi farmer’s kid who broke every exception and record in her path and changed the game of basketball forever… Lucy’s life became way too.” ended early… My heart goes out to her family and wishing them peace and comfort as they mourn this tragic and sudden loss.”
The family of the deceased announced that they would soon announce the details of a memorial service.
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