Hall of Fame
At Miami, Wayne Embry became a two-time honorable mention All-America selection in 1954-58. As a two-time all-Mid-American Conference center, Embry led the Redskins to conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances in 1957 and 1958. He lead the MAC in scoring and rebounding in his last two season and still holds several school records, including best career rebounding average (15.5).
He ranks ninth on Miami's all-time scoring list with 1,401 points and second in all-time rebounds with 1,117. He holds both Miami and MAC records for most rebounds in a game 34) and season (488). He is one of only 10 players in MAC history to total more than 1,000 career points and rebounds. He was selected to the Helms Athletic Foundation All-America third team as a senior.
Embry is one of only four players in Miami's history to have his jersey (#23) retired. Embry played 10 professional seasons with the Cincinnati Royals, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. He earned a NBA championship with the Celtics (1968) and was named to five NBA All-Star teams. While Embry enjoyed a solid playing career, his overall impact on basketball uniquely covers both on- and off-court activities.
In 1971, Embry became the NBA's first African American team general manager with the Bucks, a position he held until 1979. From 1986 to 1994, he served as vice president and general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and in 1994, he became the NBA's first African American team president with the Cavaliers. In Cleveland, Embry has overseen and attendance increase from 9,533 to 16,942 per game. In Cleveland's first 16 years, the Cavaliers averaged 31 wins and four playoff appearances. The last 12 years under Embry, the Cavs averaged 45 wins and had recorded nine playoff appearances.
For his efforts, The Sporting News named him NBA Executive of the Year in 1992 and 1998 and Sports Illustrated names him Executive of the Year in 1998.
