Embry began his basketball career at Miami University in Ohio, where he was a two-time All-American and a two-time Academic All-American. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals in 1958 and played for them until 1966. He was a five-time All-Star and a two-time NBA champion with the Royals. He was also named to the All-NBA Second Team in 1964.
In 1966, Embry was traded to the Boston Celtics, where he played until 1969. He was a key contributor to the Celtics' 1968 championship team. He then retired from playing and became a coach for the Milwaukee Bucks. He was the first African-American head coach in the NBA.
Embry was then hired as the general manager of the Bucks in 1972, becoming the first African-American general manager in the NBA. He was the Bucks' general manager for 10 years and was named NBA Executive of the Year in 1983.
Embry then became the general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1986. He was the Cavaliers' general manager for 11 years and was named NBA Executive of the Year in 1992. He was also the team's president from 1994 to 1999.
Embry was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999. He was also inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
Embry's career in basketball spanned nearly five decades and he was a pioneer in the sport. He was a five-time All-Star, a two-time NBA champion, the first African-American head coach in the NBA, and the first African-American general manager in the NBA. He was also a two-time NBA Executive of the Year. Embry's legacy in basketball will never be forgotten.
🏀