The Queen of Basketball | An Oscar-Winning Op-Doc
TLDRLusia Harris, born in Mississippi in 1955, rose from humble beginnings to become a pioneering female basketball player. She was the first woman officially drafted by a men's NBA team, the New Orleans Jazz. Growing up in an all-Black community, Lusia overcame challenges and thrived in basketball, leading Delta State University to multiple national championships. Her journey includes making history at the Olympics and facing personal struggles with bipolar disorder. Despite not pursuing an NBA career, Lusia's legacy lives on through her family's achievements and her groundbreaking contributions to women's basketball.
Takeaways
- 🏀 Lusia Harris was born in a small town in South Mississippi in 1955 and became a great female basketball player.
- 👏 Lusia was the first woman to be officially drafted by a men's basketball team, the New Orleans Jazz.
- 🏡 She grew up in an all-Black community with a big family and her parents were sharecroppers.
- 📺 As a child, Lusia was inspired by basketball legends like Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
- 🏆 Lusia's height was initially a source of teasing, but she turned it into an asset and became a top scorer.
- 🎓 Title IX allowed Lusia to join Delta State's new women's basketball program, where she led the team to multiple national championships.
- 🏅 Lusia scored the first basket in the history of Olympic women's basketball at the 1976 Montreal Games and won a silver medal.
- 💔 Despite being drafted by the New Orleans Jazz, Lusia chose not to pursue a career in the NBA and focused on starting a family.
- 🤕 After her basketball career, Lusia faced mental health challenges, including bipolar disorder, but later became a high school coach.
- 👨👩👧👦 Lusia's children are highly accomplished, with careers in law, education, and other fields.
- 🏛️ Lusia was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as one of the first female athletes, recognized for her outstanding contributions to the sport.
Q & A
Where and when was Lusia Harris born?
-Lusia Harris was born in a small town in South Mississippi in 1955.
What was Lusia Harris' significance in basketball history?
-Lusia Harris was a great female basketball player and was the first woman to be officially drafted by a men's basketball team, the New Orleans Jazz.
What was Lusia Harris' family background?
-Lusia Harris grew up in a big family of 11 children. Her parents were sharecroppers, and the family would pick cotton as a way of making a living.
How did Lusia Harris' height influence her early basketball experiences?
-Lusia Harris was taller than everyone else in her class at 6’3”. Initially, she was teased for her height, but she soon realized it was an asset and became an excellent player.
What impact did Title IX have on Lusia Harris' basketball career?
-Title IX, passed in 1972, mandated gender equality in education and sports. It led to the creation of a women's basketball program at Delta State University, which Lusia joined.
Describe Lusia Harris' college basketball career at Delta State University.
-Lusia Harris joined Delta State's basketball team and led them to three national championships, defeating the previously dominant Immaculata team.
What was Lusia Harris' achievement in the Olympics?
-Lusia Harris scored the first basket in the history of Olympic women's basketball during the 1976 Montreal Olympics, where her team won a silver medal.
Why did Lusia Harris decline the opportunity to try out for the New Orleans Jazz?
-Lusia Harris declined the opportunity to try out for the New Orleans Jazz because she had already decided to start a family and felt it was a publicity stunt. She also doubted her ability to compete against men.
How did Lusia Harris' life change after her basketball career ended?
-After her basketball career ended, Lusia Harris struggled with bipolar disorder, experienced a nervous breakdown, and returned home. She eventually became a high school coach and picked herself up.
What are some of Lusia Harris' notable recognitions and accomplishments post-retirement?
-Lusia Harris was inducted into the Hall of Fame as the first female athlete, alongside Nera White, and was escorted by her favorite player, Oscar Robertson. Her children also achieved significant academic success.
Outlines
🏀 Introduction to Lusia Harris
The narrator introduces Lusia Harris, born in South Mississippi in 1955. She was a remarkable female basketball player, once considered the best in the United States. Notably, Lusia was the first woman to be drafted by a men's basketball team, the New Orleans Jazz. The narrator reveals they are Lusia, now retired and enjoying life. Growing up in an all-Black community, Lusia describes her large family and their life as sharecroppers. Despite hardships, they found joy in playing basketball at home, where she admired famous players on TV.
🏀 Overcoming Challenges and Rising to Success
Lusia recounts her school years, where she was teased for her height but eventually embraced it. Joining the basketball team, she quickly learned the game and excelled, scoring 40 points in one game. The passage of Title IX in 1972 opened opportunities for women in sports. Lusia initially planned to attend Alcorn, a Black school, but switched to Delta State for its women's basketball program. As the only Black player on the team, she adjusted and focused on scoring, leading her team to the national tournament semifinals, which they lost. They vowed to win next year.
🏆 Winning Championships and Making History
Determined, Lusia's team won the national tournament the following year, facing Immaculata, a team with three consecutive championships. Delta State emerged victorious, with Lusia's remarkable performance standing out. The passage details the intense games, the supportive crowds, and the team's growing popularity. Lusia reflects on the importance of these achievements, the support from her coach, Margaret Wade, and the significance of women's basketball gaining recognition. She also shares the pride of her small town and the impact of their success.
🌟 Olympic Glory and Personal Struggles
Lusia talks about playing in the first women's Olympic basketball tournament in Montreal, where she scored the first basket in history. The team won a silver medal, making her parents proud. Post-college, Lusia faced challenges, including mental health struggles. Despite being invited to try out for the New Orleans Jazz, she declined, prioritizing family and doubting her ability to compete against men. She found stability coaching at her old high school and began to appreciate her past achievements, reflected through newspaper clippings and memories.
🏅 Legacy and Reflection
Lusia concludes by reflecting on her legacy. She didn't regret not pursuing the NBA, finding fulfillment in her family's accomplishments. Her children achieved high educational degrees and became athletes. Lusia was inducted into the Hall of Fame, a significant honor. Despite the lack of opportunities for women during her time, she is proud of her impact on the sport. She acknowledges the progress of women's basketball and contemplates the recognition she might have received if she had continued playing. Lusia's story is one of triumph, resilience, and lasting influence.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Lusia Harris
💡Sharecroppers
💡Title IX
💡Delta State University
💡Immaculata
💡A.I.A.W.
💡Olympics
💡Bipolar
💡N.B.A.
💡Hall of Fame
💡Mental Illness
Highlights
Lusia Harris was born in South Mississippi in 1955 and became a prominent female basketball player.
She was the first woman officially drafted by a men's basketball team, the New Orleans Jazz.
Lusia grew up in a large family with 11 siblings and picked cotton as a child to help support her family.
She developed her basketball skills by watching greats like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain on TV.
Title IX's passage in 1972 opened up opportunities for women in sports, including Lusia.
Lusia joined Delta State's basketball program and led the team to three consecutive national championships.
She played in the first-ever women's Olympic basketball game in 1976 and scored the first basket in Olympic women's basketball history.
Delta State's women's basketball team drew more fans than the men's team, highlighting the growing popularity of women's sports.
Lusia decided against trying out for the NBA, focusing instead on starting a family and pursuing a coaching career.
After her playing career, Lusia faced mental health challenges, including bipolar disorder.
She later became the head coach at her old high school, Amanda Elzy, helping her recover and find purpose.
Lusia's children have all achieved significant academic and professional success.
She was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, escorted by her favorite player, Oscar Robertson.
Lusia reflects on her career with pride but acknowledges that more opportunities would have been available if she were a male athlete.
Despite not continuing her playing career, Lusia's legacy as a trailblazer in women's basketball remains strong.
Transcripts
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