Players from the first all-black women’s basketball team reflect on making history in 1984

The 12 months 1984 was stuffed with many firsts in women’s basketball. It was a 12 months in which we got a glimpse into the way forward for the game’s evolution, a 12 months stuffed with special recognition.

West Virginia Center Georgeann Wells became the first woman to dunk a basketball in a school game, in which Bertha Teague, Margaret Wade and Senda Berenson Abbott became the first women inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. The U.S. women’s Olympic team won its first gold medal. A rule change in the NCAA reduced the diameter of the basketball by one inch (to twenty-eight.5–29 inches) and made it two ounces lighter than the previous ball and 1 to 1.5 inches smaller than the ball utilized by men.

More than a decade before the WNBA, the United States Women’s Basketball Association debuted in 1996, but it surely was short-lived, like many other skilled women’s basketball leagues. The USC women’s team became the first team to win a second straight NCAA championship.

But the face – or faces – of women’s college basketball also modified 40 years ago when the Kodak All-America team was announced. For the first time since Women’s Basketball Coaches Association began selection in 1975, all 10 players on the 1984 squad were black. An all-Black team from across America wouldn’t be repeated for 22 years. This only happened 4 times (1984, 2006, 2007, 2008).

Five women from the 1984 team were inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and one was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Three players won gold medals for Team USA in the 1984 Olympics, and one All-American played at a historically black university.

Here’s an oral history of the women who were a part of this All-American women’s basketball team’s historic moment.

Cheryl Miller, sophomore forward, USC

At the time, this topic (about the racial makeup of the team) never got here up. The one thing that basically stands out is how much we had in common outside of basketball and we were not adversaries. It gave us a probability to bond and develop some type of friendship with one another.

It’s shocking to know that we were the first because I can consider several other situations where this might have happened. However, I’m astonished to learn of a 22-year hiatus before one other all-Black American team. It’s amazing because when you consider all the great black women who’ve played, like Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker. . . I just think the difference could be closer. And there isn’t a disrespect to the white players who were drafted. I’m just surprised it took one other 22 years the second time around.

Pam McGee, senior, center/forward, USC

This signifies that we were pioneers and strived to interrupt down barriers. This was necessary because we were amongst the first women and African-Americans to receive full-ride scholarships under Title IX. It was one other example of what I really like about sports and the way it transcends race. If you are a ballista, you are a ballista. It’s about who can put it between those black lines. . . That’s why we didn’t get sucked into being an all-Black team. We just knew we had settled in as an All-American.

Tresa Brown, senior, forward, North Carolina

We first noticed (the band was all black) once we all gathered for a bunch photo. I used to be like, hey, wait a minute, we’re all black women. But we didn’t meet and sit down and speak about it. It might need been the era we were in at the time, so we didn’t really speak about it, but possibly we didn’t speak about it because the whole lot that was happening that week was latest and exciting.

I wish we could have gotten together so we could all spend time catching up and higher understanding the history we created during that point. Janice Lawrence was my roommate this week and I actually have kept in touch along with her over the past 12 months. . . It’s hard to imagine it has been 40 years already.

Janet Harris, junior, forward, Georgia

I actually have a photograph of the team on my phone and I have a look at it from time to time. This team, wow. We had an amazing time this week in Los Angeles. When we modified and took photos, we said, OK, because we noticed that the entire team was black, but we didn’t realize the scale of it or realize that we were the first. I actually didn’t know we were the first all-black team in America until (Georgia teammate Teresa Edwards) told me just a few days ago.

It was one in all the best teams in America. We had three Olympians (Cheryl Miller, Pam McGee and Janice Lawrence). Unlike many modern players, everyone was tall and will play multiple positions. Everyone was versatile. We played. We would maintain it.

Annette Smith, junior, center, Texas

It was a tremendous team and I remember talking to Annette about how I used to be the smallest player in the group. But in terms of making the All-America team, it was significant because I suppose not everyone picking the team was black, and for them to say that these were the best players no matter race might have been a really difficult decision. The second thing I assumed was that it was obvious that the team needed to be all Black. I’d prefer to think it was a good shake and these were the best players.

Becky Jackson, senior, center, Auburn

I remember how all of us got along and had a number of fun that week. It was full of events and time spent at the amusement park. Some of the players I already knew, but a few of the other players were great to fulfill for the first time. We’ve all noticed with regards to the makeup of the team. We thought, “Girl, look at us, we’re all black.” I used to be proud after I saw our photo in a magazine. Being the first all-Black All-American team meant that we were appreciated as players and it felt good to be on this All-American team with all Black women.

Yolanda Laney, senior, point guard/shooter, Cheyney State

The first thing I assumed was that this team was all Black, after which I assumed it was a very tough All-American class, especially since Janice Lawrence was on the team. I watched the video and was very impressed along with her because she was a troublesome competitor and hit the ball off the backboard like my favorite player George Gervin.

I also knew it was a historic moment since it was the first time being all-black. The funny thing is, even once we were sitting at dinner or eating lunch, it didn’t dawn on me until we took this photo. While they were taking photos, I turned to Marilyn (Stephens) and asked if she realized the band was all Black. Everyone began looking around and nodding, saying, “You’re right.”

The right players were picked for his or her collected talent and it was something where politics didn’t play a job like in other times when politics can play an unpleasant part in something. Looking at each player’s stats and accomplishments individually and what they did for his or her schools this 12 months, it meant we were fully deserving of being named an All-American.

Janice Lawrence, center, senior, Louisiana Tech

Tresa (Brown) and I actually have been friends without end. We talked recently about (the 1984 All-American team) and the way we didn’t take into consideration the history or that it was an enormous deal. I remember bits and pieces of the experience, but I do not remember the details like she does. When I have a look at this photo, I’m glad to be an element of it because all these girls were superstars. To have this collective group of ladies who didn’t even know they were making history but were an element of it’s an amazing thing.

It could be improbable if we could all get back together. I played with Janet Harris and Becky Jackson in Italy. It could be great fun to fulfill all of us. If we could get ourselves and all the other Black All-America teams together, that will be improbable.

Marilyn Stephens, forward, senior, Temple

. Stephens is a member of the Big Five Hall of Fame and the Temple Athletics Hall of Fame. In 2013, she was also named an inaugural A-10 Women’s Basketball Legend.

When all of us arrived at the hotel lobby and gathered in our uniforms for the photo session, all of us just checked out one another. We all had the same look of pleasure and said, “I can’t believe it.” We had 10 of the best players in the country and we’re all black girls. And we were all 6 feet and taller. We were an enormous team.

The All-America team means it wasn’t a racial issue for voters. It was about talent and I’m glad we’re all considered pioneers because we’re the first.

Being a member of this All-American team was special because I sat right next to my friend Yolanda and we represented Philadelphia. The indisputable fact that we were all African American was also special.

I teach highschool, and our All-America photo was on display for Black History Month.

Joyce Walker, guard, senior, LSU

I immediately noticed that everybody looked similar to me. We were all women of color and that struck me, at the same time as a young woman. My previous memories of the All-American team were of a combination of white and black athletes, but this time we were all the same color.

It wasn’t until later that I spotted the significance of it, but then I assumed, “wow, has something like this ever happened?” And I didn’t give it some thought again until someone brought it to my attention years later and jogged my memory that it had never happened before.

As I met various members of this team over the years, we talked about how competitive the team was. We felt we did thoroughly. . . But I didn’t realize what an impact it could have until a few years later when people began sending me photos and through Black History month, certain things began popping up that I had posted somewhere, and that is after I said, “Yes, it has some significance.”