It may have been a publicity stunt, but the action itself spoke volumes.
In 1977, New Orleans Jazz general manager Lewis Shaffel did something never done before — he drafted Lusia Harris in the seventh round, making her the first female ever selected by an NBA team.
While Harris never attended training camp with the Jazz, mainly due to her being pregnant at the time, there’s no doubting the legacy she left behind.
One of the pioneers of women’s basketball, Harris passed away on Tuesday at the age of 66 in Greenwood, Mississippi.
“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 family said in a statement.