Ora Mae Washington
Inducted:
2018
Player Stats:
Born:
January 23, 1898
Caroline County, Virginia, U.S.
Died:
December 21, 1971
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Position:
Center
Forward
College:
NA
Ora Mae Washington was one of the most accomplished and groundbreaking athletes of the early 20th century, dominating both women’s basketball and tennis long before opportunities were equal. From the 1930s to the 1940s, she led the Philadelphia Tribunes basketball team to multiple championships, earning the reputation as the “Queen of the Court.” Known for her elite scoring and relentless defense, she helped popularize women’s basketball in Black communities.
Equally talented in tennis, Washington won 12 American Tennis Association (ATA) national singles titles, holding the crown for over a decade. Her athletic excellence came during a time of limited access for Black women in sports, making her legacy even more remarkable. In 2018, she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as an early African American sports icon.
Washington's Awards & Records:
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2018)
- 12 ATA national tennis singles titles – undefeated in singles for over a decade
- Multiple basketball titles with the Philadelphia Tribunes
- Considered the first Black female sports superstar in America
- Faced and overcame barriers due to segregation in both sports
- Known for versatility, skill, and leadership across two sports
- Helped the Philadelphia Tribunes win 11 straight Black women’s basketball titles
Career Teams:
Philadelphia Tribunes (1930s–1940s)
Career Stats:
Position:
Center/Forward
Team:
Philadelphia Tribunes (1930s–1940s)
Tennis Association:
American Tennis Association (ATA)
Basketball Titles:
Numerous Black women’s championships with Tribunes
Tennis Titles:
12-time ATA National Women’s Singles Champion