The story of Lusia Harris, the first woman officially drafted by the NBA, recently resurfaced, highlighting a pivotal moment in basketball history. But while Harris holds that distinction, another player, Ann Meyers, arguably came even closer to actually playing in the league. That’s the assertion of Gonzalo Vázquez, a well-respected expert on American basketball, who notes the serious intent behind the attempt to bring Meyers into the NBA.
Ann Elizabeth Meyers was born in 1955 in San Diego, California. A gifted multi-sport athlete, she excelled in basketball, leading her high school, Sonora High School, to national prominence. It came as no surprise to those who knew her when she became the first collegiate player to make the U.S. Women’s Olympic Basketball Team, competing in the 1976 Montreal Games. She was also the first woman to receive a full athletic scholarship to UCLA.
Meyers’ name and game quickly gained national recognition, even leading to appearances in commercials alongside a rising star in the men’s game, Magic Johnson. The two represented the future of American basketball. In 1978, she cemented her place in college basketball history by recording the first-ever quadruple-double in NCAA history (men’s or women’s): 20 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals. In 1979, she captained the U.S. Women’s National Team to a World Championship title, ending a long drought for the program.
But it was September 5, 1979, that truly marked a watershed moment. Just weeks before the start of the NBA season, the Indiana Pacers announced the signing of Ann Meyers to a one-year contract worth $50,000. The announcement was a spectacle, featuring the team owner and coach alongside Meyers at a luxury hotel, surrounded by cameras, and reporters.
A Difficult Fit
Despite the Pacers’ attempt to normalize the situation, challenges arose almost immediately. Meyers’ teammates were reportedly uneasy with a woman joining the team. Mike Bantom, a forward for the Pacers, voiced his concerns, stating, “This was decided in Los Angeles. I don’t understand how this can facilitate us. If we’re trying to build a winning project, I don’t realize how to convince our fans that we’re serious.”
Owners of other NBA franchises echoed those sentiments, suggesting the move was primarily a marketing ploy designed to generate attention, rather than a serious basketball decision.
Meyers, advised by her support network, decided to let her play speak for itself. She aimed to prove her worth on the court, embracing the challenge of being a pioneer in a male-dominated environment.
However, she soon faced an insurmountable reality. Despite possessing excellent fundamentals, intelligence, and ball-handling skills, Meyers’ physical strength was significantly lower than that of her male counterparts. Every individual matchup proved to be a disadvantage. As she herself acknowledged, “They are much more physically powerful than any of the players I’ve faced. And many of the things I did against them, I can’t do now.”
After three days of training with the team, the Pacers made their decision: Ann Meyers would not make the final roster. They offered her a position in the front office, a gesture she declined, stating she hadn’t asked for such a role.
Meyers quickly returned to professional women’s basketball, excelling with the New Jersey Gems of the Women’s Basketball League (WBL). In her second season, she was named the league’s Most Valuable Player.
After retiring as a player, Meyers continued to break barriers, joining the NBA in a different capacity. She became a member of the Phoenix Suns’ front office, and later also worked with the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA, winning two championships.
A legend at UCLA, where she became the first woman inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame and had her jersey retired alongside those of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton, Ann Meyers is globally recognized for her contributions to basketball. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. In 2001, she received the John R. Wooden Award as one of the greatest players in American collegiate history, and in 2007, she was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame.
Perhaps the NBA wasn’t ready for her at that moment. Perhaps the timing wasn’t right. But there’s no doubt that Ann Meyers was one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and the player who came closest to truly breaking the NBA’s gender barrier.
This article is part of the book ‘HEROÍNAS a través del deporte,’ by the same author. A collection of 25 stories of female athletes who broke new ground, shattered barriers, and transcended generations.
