The upcoming documentary on the life and professional basketball career of Lusia Harris will have a free screening in five L.A. movie theaters thanks to the financial help of Lakers’ living legend Shaquille O’Neal.
Sad news hit the world of basketball last week when Lusia Harris passed away only weeks away from the premiere of The Queen of Basketball, the biographic documentary based on her life. The only woman to have ever been drafted in a men’s NBA team after leading Delta State University in Mississippi to three national championships in the 1970s passed away at age 66. She holds the honor of being the first female basketball player to have been included in the basketball Hall of Fame.
Shaquille O’Neal has expressed his pain in a public statement according to Deadline: “I am extremely saddened at the sudden loss of the unsung hero and fearless trailblazer – Ms. Lucy Harris… Her story should be required viewing for all Americans. I hope folks will bring their families to these screenings. It’s time to remember her name. Long Live the Queen.”
The former Lakers player, who is an active member of various Los Angeles charities and frequently gives back to the community, will be financing the screenings that will be first-come-first-served. The free screening of the short documentary will be available in five different venues in the L.A. area: Laemmle Town Center 5 in Encino, Laemmle Glendale, Laemmle NoHo 7 in North Hollywood, Laemmle Pasadena Playhouse 7, and Laemmle Monica Film Center in Santa Monica. Mr. O’Neal is the executive producer of the documentary directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ben Proudfoot.