View source for Wayne Embry

{{short description|American basketball player and team executive}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Wayne Embry
| image = Wayne Embry.jpeg
| width = 
| caption = Embry in the 1964–1965 Cincinnati Royals program
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 8
| weight_lb = 240
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1937|03|26}}
| birth_place = [[Springfield, Ohio]], U.S.
| high_school = [[Tecumseh High School (New Carlisle, Ohio)|Tecumseh]] ([[New Carlisle, Ohio]])
| college = [[Miami RedHawks men's basketball|Miami (Ohio)]] (1955–1958)
| draft_year = 1958
| draft_round = 3
| draft_pick = 22
| draft_team = [[St. Louis Hawks]]
| career_start = 1958
| career_end = 1969
| career_number = 34, 32, 15, 28
| career_position = [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| years1 = {{nbay|1958|start}}–{{nbay|1965|end}}
| team1 = [[Cincinnati Royals]]
| years2 = {{nbay|1966|start}}–{{nbay|1967|end}}
| team2 = [[Boston Celtics]]
| years3 = {{nbay|1968|full=y}}
| team3 = [[Milwaukee Bucks]]
| highlights = 
* [[List of NBA champions|NBA champion]] ([[1968 NBA Finals|1968]])
* 5× [[List of NBA All-Stars|NBA All-Star]] ({{nasg|1961}}–{{nasg|1965}})
* 2× First-team All-[[Mid-American Conference|MAC]] (1957, 1958)
* No. 23 [[Miami RedHawks men's basketball#Retired numbers|retired by Miami RedHawks]]
'''As executive:'''
* 2× [[NBA Executive of the Year Award|NBA Executive of the Year]] ([[1991–92 NBA season|1992]], [[1997–98 NBA season|1998]])
* [[List of NBA champions|NBA champion]] ([[2019 NBA Finals|2019]])
| stat1label = [[Point (basketball)|Points]]
| stat1value = 10,380 (12.5 ppg)
| stat2label = [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]]
| stat2value = 7,544 (9.1 rpg)
| stat3label = [[Assist (basketball)|Assists]]
| stat3value = 1,194 (1.4 apg)
| HOF = wayne-embry
| CBBASKHOF_year = 2006
}}
[[File:Reuven Rivlin meeting with a delegation of leading personalities from the NBA, August 2017 (6592).jpg|thumb|300px|Wayne Embry (left) and [[David Robinson (basketball)|David Robinson]] meeting with [[Reuven Rivlin]], president of Israel, at [[Beit HaNassi]], August 2017]]
'''Wayne Richard Embry''' (born March 26, 1937) is an American former professional [[basketball]] player and basketball executive. Embry's 11-year playing career as a center spanned from 1958 to 1969 playing for the [[Cincinnati Royals]], [[Boston Celtics]] and [[Milwaukee Bucks]], all of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). After his playing career, Embry transitioned to a career as a professional basketball executive, becoming the [[first African-American]] general manager and team president in NBA history. In 1999, he was inducted into the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]].

Since 2004, Embry has served as a senior basketball advisor for the [[Toronto Raptors]].

==Early life==
Embry was born on March 26, 1937, in [[Springfield, Ohio|Springfield Ohio]]. He was raised on a family farm five miles outside of Springfield, on a 70-acre property with four separate homes for his nuclear family, his grandparents, and two uncles. The family was poor and his father also had to work as a car mechanic. He attended [[Tecumseh High School (New Carlisle, Ohio)|Tecumseh High School]] near [[New Carlisle, Ohio]], where he was a three-year letter winner and earned Honorable Mention All-State honors as a basketball payer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wayne Embry : 2006 Charter Class : Inductees : Hall of Fame : Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame |url=https://ohiobasketballhalloffame.com/hall-of-fame/inductees/2006/wayne-embry.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=ohiobasketballhalloffame.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Archdeacon |first=Tom |date=February 10, 2019 |title=Spotlight shines on basketball legend Wayne Embry |url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/archdeacon-spotlight-shines-basketball-legend-wayne-embry/FiYOS15w8wW7060TiiqEKI/ |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=dayton-daily-news |language=English}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Larry |date=September 30, 2014 |title=Embry Broke Ground In NBA |work=The News-Messenger (Fremont, Ohio) |pages=8A-9A}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{Cite news |last=Borgi |first=Augie |date=March 8, 1972 |title=Wide Wayne, the Positive Thinker |work=The Record (Hackensack, New Jersey) |pages=49}}</ref> He was already 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) as a 15-year old junior center. In his senior year (1954), Tecumseh was undefeated in the regular season, and their only loss came in the regional tournament finals.<ref name=":18" />

In his first year at Tecumseh, Embry was the only African-American student in the school.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Sports |first=Luceo |title=NHSBCA-Ohio_Wayne_Embry |url=https://oh.nhsbca.org/hall-of-fame/wayne_embry |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=oh.nhsbca.org |language=en}}</ref> He suffered racial epithets at the school and wanted to leave, but his parents told him he had to stick it out by believing in himself as a man or no one else would believe in him, a philosophy he followed the rest of his life.<ref name=":8" /> 

==College career==
Embry was recruited to [[Miami University]] in [[Oxford, Ohio]], by coach [[Bill Rohr]], who won Embry over by emphasizing academics rather than basketball as the primary reason to attend Miami.<ref name=":0" /> Embry became a member of [[Alpha Phi Alpha]] fraternity. He was nicknamed "Goose" by his basketball teammates.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2025-05-19 |title=Wayne Embry |url=https://livedmu.lib.miamioh.edu/stories/wayne-embry |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250519143128/https://livedmu.lib.miamioh.edu/stories/wayne-embry |archive-date=2025-05-19 |access-date=2025-06-23 |work=Lived Experiences Through Storytelling at Miami |language=en-US}}</ref>

As a two-time all-[[Mid-American Conference]] center, Embry, a team captain, led the then-Redskins to conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances in [[1957 NCAA University Division basketball tournament|1957]] and [[1958 NCAA University Division basketball tournament|1958]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> He led the MAC in scoring and rebounding in those two seasons, averaging 23.1 and 24.9 points, and 17.2 and 18.1 rebounds per game as a junior and senior, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1956-57 Men's Mid-American Conference Season Summary |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/conferences/mac/men/1957.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1957-58 Men's Mid-American Conference Season Summary |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/conferences/mac/men/1958.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> 

Embry still holds several school records, including best career rebounding average (15.5) (through the 2024-25 season).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Miami (OH) Men's Basketball Leaders & Records - Career |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/miami-oh/men/leaders-and-records.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He ranks among Miami leaders in the all-time scoring list with 1,401 points (just outside the top-10) and is second on the total rebounding list with 1,117 (two behind [[Ron Harper]]'s 1,119).<ref name=":3" /> He holds both Miami and MAC{{citation needed|date=June 2025}} records for most rebounds in a game with 34 (in a game where he also scored 39 points and hit the winning shot in a one-point overtime victory), and season (488).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Surface |first=Bill |date=February 15, 1957 |title=Only 400 Watch F. G. Twin Bill |work=The Courtier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) |pages=21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Miami (OH) Men's Basketball Leaders & Records - Season |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/miami-oh/men/leaders-and-records.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Miami (OH) Men's Basketball Leaders & Records - Game |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/miami-oh/men/leaders-and-records.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> He was one of only 14 players in MAC history to total more than 1,000 career points and rebounds, and was the first Miami player to reach both of those numbers in a career.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Men's Mid-American Conference Career Leaders and Records for Total Rebounds |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/conferences/mac/men/leaders/trb-player-career.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Wayne Embry (2012) - MAC Hall of Fame |url=https://getsomemaction.com/hof.aspx?hof=17 |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=getsomemaction.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

He was selected to the Helms Athletic Foundation All-America third team as a senior, and he was a two-time honorable mention All-America selection in 1957 and 1958.<ref name="miamiredhawks.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiredhawks.com/trads/hall-of-fame-1970class.html#Embry|title=Miami University RedHawks Official Athletic Site|website=www.miamiredhawks.com|access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref>

He was inducted in the second class of the Miami Athletics Hall of Fame in 1970.<ref name="miamiredhawks.com"/> He became the fourth player in Miami history to have his jersey (23) retired.<ref name="ohiobasketballhalloffame.com">{{cite web |title=Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame |url=http://ohiobasketballhalloffame.com/?p=285 |access-date=May 23, 2017 |website=ohiobasketballhalloffame.com}}</ref>

Embry earned a Bachelor of Science in education from Miami.<ref name="nndb.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.nndb.com/people/971/000170461/|title=Wayne Embry|website=www.nndb.com|access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref>

==NBA playing career==
Embry was originally drafted by the [[St. Louis Hawks]] in the third round of the April [[1958 NBA draft]] (23rd overall).<ref>{{Cite web |title=1958 NBA Draft |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1958.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Cincinnati Royals ===
In early August 1958, before ever playing for the Hawks, he was traded closer to home to the Cincinnati Royals. The Royals were rebuilding due to the loss of team star forward [[Maurice Stokes]] and their inability to sign star center [[Clyde Lovellette]]. Stokes became paralyzed with [[encephalitis]] in mid-March 1958, after hitting his head and falling unconscious three days earlier during the final game of the regular season against the [[History of the Los Angeles Lakers|Minneapolis Lakers]]. Stokes was still paralyzed at the time of the trade, and remained so for the rest of his shortened life.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 17, 1958 |title=Unhappy Birthday For Maurice Stokes |work=The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts) |pages=33}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Furlong |first=Bill |date=December 24, 1961 |title=Friends To Greet Stokes At Christmas Party Monday |work=The Forum (Fargo, North Dakota) |pages=D1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 24, 1958 |title=Pro Cage Star Maurice Stokes Now Improving |work=The Morning Union (Springfield, Massachusetts) |pages=23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Bob |title=ESPN Classic - Stokes' life a tale of tragedy and friendship |url=https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/stokes_maurice.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=www.espn.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1957-58 Cincinnati Royals Schedule |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1958_games.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> 

Lovellette and the Royals were also at loggerheads over his contract, as Lovellette wanted a sizable pay increase after an excellent 1957-58 season and the Royals were unwilling to meet his demands. Lovellette was traded to St. Louis for Embry and four other rookies: Gerry Calvert, [[Darrell Floyd]], [[Jim Palmer (basketball)|Jim Palmer]] and Ken Sidle.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Wayne Embry Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/embrywa01.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 6, 1958 |title=Hawks' Floyd Goes To Royals |work=The Herald-Sun (Durham, North Carolina) |pages=16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 16, 1958 |title=St. Louis Hawks Acquire Lovellette |work=Hays Daily News (Hays, Kansas) |pages=7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 17, 1958 |title=Clyde Lovelette Traded By Royals To St. Louis Hawks |work=The Cumberland News (Cumberland, Maryland) |pages=19}}</ref> Embry became the only African-American on the Royals' roster.<ref name=":7" />

As a Royals' rookie, Embry averaged 11.4 points and nine rebounds in only 24.1 minutes per game. However, the Royals record fell from 33–39 in 1957-58 to 19–53 in his rookie year. The following season his rebounding average increased to 9.5 per game, even though his playing time was less than 22 minutes per game (while also scoring 10.6 points per game). The Royals again played poorly, however, and finished 19–56.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Sacramento Kings Historical Statistics and All-Time Top Leaders |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAC/ |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> 

Future Hall of fame guard, and one of the 75 greatest NBA players of all time, [[Oscar Robertson]] arrived to the team in 1960, reviving the Royals, who finished the season 33–46.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1960-61 Cincinnati Royals Roster and Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1961.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Oscar Robertson |url=https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/oscar-robertson/ |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=www.hoophall.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA 75th Anniversary Team {{!}} NBA.com |url=https://www.nba.com/nba-75-anniversary-team |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=NBA |language=en}}</ref> Embry blossomed with Robertson's joining the team. He made the Western division all-star team for the first time as a backup at center (Lovellette being the starting center); averaging 14.4 points and 10.9 rebounds on the season, in just 28.3 minutes per game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1961 NBA All-Star Game Box Score |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1961.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1960-61 Cincinnati Royals Roster and Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1961.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> On offense, Embry was notable for his [[pick and roll]] play with Robertson, for whom Embry became an enforcer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dawson |first=Brett |date=April 14, 2017 |title=Former teammate sees parallels between Robertson, Westbrook |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2017/04/14/former-teammate-sees-parallels-between-robertson-westbrook/60606287007/ |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=The Oklahoman |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> Robertson's encouragement improved Embry's game. Embry at times appeared to be a blocker on the court, a protector of teammates.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}} A powerful 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) and 240 pounds (109 kg), Embry was nicknamed "The Wall" for his sturdy build and [[Screen (basketball)|picks]] he set.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Aschburner |first=Steve |date=March 6, 2022 |title=Front office pioneer Wayne Embry's unappreciated achievement reaches milestone {{!}} NBA.com |url=https://www.nba.com/news/front-office-pioneer-wayne-embrys-unappreciated-achievement-reaches-milestone |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=NBA |language=en}}</ref> 

Embry (1960-63), Robertson (1960-63) and [[Jack Twyman]] (1961-63) were all NBA All-Stars for Cincinnati during the next three years.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Oscar Robertson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roberos01.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jack Twyman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/twymaja01.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The Royals' record improved to 43–37 (1961-62) and 42–38 (1962-63).<ref name=":6" /> In 1963, he was selected team captain of the Royals.<ref name=":7" /> The 1962-63 Royals won the Eastern division semifinals over the [[History of the Philadelphia 76ers|Syracuse Nationals]], before losing the Eastern division finals to the [[Boston Celtics]] in a seven game series.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1962-63 Cincinnati Royals Roster and Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1963.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Overall during the [[1963 NBA Playoffs]], Embry averaged postseason career highs of 16.8 points and 13.5 rebounds per game.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wayne Embry Per Game Playoffs |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/embrywa01.html#playoffs_per_game |website=Basketball Reference}}</ref> He averaged 12.7 rebounds and 16 points per game in the Boston series, facing Celtics Hall of fame center [[Bill Russell]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1963 NBA Eastern Division Finals - Royals vs. Celtics |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1963-nba-eastern-division-finals-royals-vs-celtics.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> 

The next season, the 1963–64 Cincinnati Royals surged to the second-best record in the NBA (55–25), with future Hall of fame teammate [[Jerry Lucas]] now added, and Robertson named the league's most valuable player.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1963-64 NBA Standings |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1964_standings.html |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1963-64 Cincinnati Royals Roster and Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1964.html |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Jerry Lucas |url=https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/jerry-lucas/ |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=www.hoophall.com |language=en}}</ref> That season, on December 1, Embry totaled a career high 39 points scored in a 114-109 loss to the [[Los Angeles Lakers]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Wayne Embry Career High 39 Points |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/wayne-embry-career-high-39-points |website=Statmuse}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lakers vs Royals, December 1, 1963 |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196312010CIN.html |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Embry was selected an all-star for the fourth consecutive year (joining Lucas and Robertson on the all-star team), and was 9th in most valuable player voting.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1964 NBA All-Star Game Box Score |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1964.html |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1963-64 NBA Awards Voting |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1964.html |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He averaged 17.3 points and 11.6 rebounds in 36.4 minutes per game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1963-64 Cincinnati Royals Roster and Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1964.html |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> 

Embry was selected to the all-star team again in 1964-65 for the fifth consecutive season, though his regular season averages (10 rebounds and 12.7 points per game) were the lowest since his second season with the Royals.<ref name=":5" /> In Embry's final season with the Royals (1965-66), his playing time was reduced to less than 24 minutes a game, and he had career-lows in rebounding and scoring averages.<ref name=":5" /> Earlier in the season he had been averaging around 30 minutes per game, but coach [[Jack McMahon]] cut that in half later in the season.  An unhappy Embry decided to retire.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Barry |first=Jack |date=September 17, 1966 |title=Embry Bolsters Celtics’ Muscle |work=The Boston Globe |pages=5}}</ref>

During Embry's years with the Royals, the team was never able to surpass the Eastern conference's Boston Celtics of [[Red Auerbach]] and Bill Russell, or the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] with [[Wilt Chamberlain]] to reach the NBA finals in their quest for an NBA title; losing to the Celtics again in the 1964 Eastern division finals,<ref>{{Cite web |title=1964 NBA Eastern Division Finals - Royals vs. Celtics |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1964-nba-eastern-division-finals-royals-vs-celtics.html |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> the 76ers in the 1965 Eastern division semifinals,<ref>{{Cite web |title=1965 NBA Eastern Division Semifinals - 76ers vs. Royals |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1965-nba-eastern-division-semifinals-76ers-vs-royals.html |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> and the Celtics in the 1966 Eastern division semifinals, in Embry's last games as a Royal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1966 NBA Eastern Division Semifinals - Royals vs. Celtics |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1966-nba-eastern-division-semifinals-royals-vs-celtics.html |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks ===
Nearly retiring to be a regional sales leader for Pepsi-Cola, Embry was talked out of retirement by friend Bill Russell, the new player/coach for Boston. While Embry would not accept playing in a back up role and tutor to incoming center [[Walt Wesley]] at Cincinnati, playing as a backup for Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics was agreeable to him.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schottelkotte |first=Jim |date=September 23, 1966 |title=Pep Should Have Said No |work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |pages=17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bill Russell: Coaching Record, Awards |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/russebi01c.html |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Less than two weeks after retiring from the Royals, the Celtics and Auerbach sought permission from the Royals general manager [[Pepper Wilson]] to try and sign Embry, and successfully did so. Pepsi also agreed that Embry’s work for the company could continue in Boston.<ref name=":9" /> It is also reported that Red Auerbach talked Embry out of retirement.<ref name=":15">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Dave |date=March 11, 1972 |title=Bucks' Embry Eases Into History |work=Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wisconsin) |pages=30}}</ref> 

In his first season with the Celtics (1966-67), Embry averaged 10.1 minutes per game as Russell's backup, but played sparingly in the playoffs that year; the Celtics losing four games to one against the 76ers in the [[1967 NBA playoffs|Eastern division finals]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1966-67 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1967.html |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1967 NBA Eastern Division Finals - Celtics vs. 76ers |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1967-nba-eastern-division-finals-celtics-vs-76ers.html |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> During the season, Auerbach constantly encouraged Embry for his game performances, and instilled confidence in Embry.<ref name=":15" /> The following season (1967-68), the Celtics finished eight games behind the 76ers in the Eastern conference, but went on to win the [[1968 NBA playoffs|Eastern division finals]] over the 76ers and the [[1968 NBA Finals|NBA finals]] over the Los Angeles Lakers, capturing the NBA championship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1967-68 NBA Standings |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1968_standings.html |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=1968 NBA Eastern Division Finals - Celtics vs. 76ers |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1968-nba-eastern-division-finals-celtics-vs-76ers.html |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=1968 NBA Finals - Lakers vs. Celtics |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1968-nba-finals-lakers-vs-celtics.html |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> 

Embry played crucial reserve minutes for Russell and aided that team's surprising 1967–68 NBA title run.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}} Embry averaged nearly 14 minutes a game as Russell's backup center during the regular season, with 6.3 point and 4.1 rebound per game averages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1967-68 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1968.html |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He averaged over 11 minutes per game in the playoff series against the 76ers, playing as Russell's backup in all seven games.<ref name=":10" /> With the 76ers up three games to one over the Celtics going into Game 5 of the Eastern conference finals, Embry's strong second-half defense against Chamberlain was critical to the Celtics winning that game; with the Celtics ultimately wining the series in seven games.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 16, 1968 |title=Ancient Sam Keeps Celtics Alive With 37-Point Show |work=The Grand Rapids Press (Associated Press) |pages=48}}</ref> He played in five of the six games against the Lakers, averaging nearly 10 minutes per game.<ref name=":11" />

That offseason, when the Milwaukee Bucks were formed, they claimed an unprotected Embry from the Celtics in the May 1968 [[expansion draft]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 6, 1968 |title=Warriors Lose Hetzel, Warlick in Draft |work=Redwood City Tribune (Redwood City, California) |pages=13}}</ref> He was named the Bucks first captain.<ref name=":02" /> Embry started at center for the Bucks for the 1968–69 season, averaging 13.1 points and 8.6 rebounds in 30.2 minutes per game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1968-69 Milwaukee Bucks Roster and Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1969.html |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In the first game in Bucks franchise history, Embry scored 15 points and grabbed 20 rebounds.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks Box Score, October 16, 1968 |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196810160MIL.html |website=Basketball Reference}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=When the Milwaukee Bucks took the court for their first game ever, 50 years ago this week |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/life/green-sheet/2018/10/16/when-milwaukee-bucks-took-court-their-first-game-milwaukee-arena-1968-chicago-bulls-nba/1617039002/ |website=Wisconsin Journal Sentinel}}</ref> Embry retired at the end of the season, at age 32.<ref name=":12">{{Cite news |last=Robbins |first=Paul |date=April 29, 1969 |title=Wayne Embry: There comes a time |work=Kenosha News (United press International) |pages=18}}</ref> Over his 11-year career, Embry averaged 9.1 rebounds and 12.5 points per game.<ref name=":5" /> 

==NBA career statistics==
{{NBA player statistics legend|champion=y|leader=y}}

===Regular season===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| align="left" | [[1958–59 NBA season|1958–59]]
| align="left" | [[1958-59 Cincinnati Royals season|Cincinnati]]
| 66 || - || 24.1 || .387 || - || .656 || 9.0 || 1.5 || - || - || 11.4
|-
| align="left" | [[1959–60 NBA season|1959–60]]
| align="left" | [[1959-60 Cincinnati Royals season|Cincinnati]]
| 73 || - || 21.8 || .439 || - || .514 || 9.5 || 1.1 || - || - || 10.6
|-
| align="left" | [[1960–61 NBA season|1960–61]]
| align="left" | [[1960-61 Cincinnati Royals season|Cincinnati]]
| style="background:#cfecec;"| 79* || - || 28.3 || .451 || - || .668 || 10.9 || 1.6 || - || - || 14.4
|-
| align="left" | [[1961–62 NBA season|1961–62]]
| align="left" | [[1961-62 Cincinnati Royals season|Cincinnati]]
| 75 || - || 35.0 || '''.466''' || - || '''.690''' || '''13.0''' || '''2.4''' || - || - || '''19.8'''
|-
| align="left" | [[1962–63 NBA season|1962–63]]
| align="left" | [[1962-63 Cincinnati Royals season|Cincinnati]]
| 76 || - || 33.0 || .458 || - || .667 || 12.3 || 2.3 || - || - || 18.6
|-
| align="left" | [[1963–64 NBA season|1963–64]]
| align="left" | [[1963-64 Cincinnati Royals season|Cincinnati]]
| '''80''' || - || '''36.4''' || .458 || - || .650 || 11.6 || 1.4 || - || - || 17.3
|-
| align="left" | [[1964–65 NBA season|1964–65]]
| align="left" | [[1964-65 Cincinnati Royals season|Cincinnati]]
| 74 || - || 30.3 || .456 || - || .644 || 10.0 || 1.2 || - || - || 12.7
|-
| align="left" | [[1965–66 NBA season|1965–66]]
| align="left" | [[1965-66 Cincinnati Royals season|Cincinnati]]
| style="background:#cfecec;"| '''80'''* || - || 23.5 || .411 || - || .603 || 6.6 || 1.0 || - || - || 7.6
|-
| align="left" | [[1966–67 NBA season|1966–67]]
| align="left" | [[1966-67 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 72 || - || 10.1 || .409 || - || .569 || 4.1 || 0.6 || - || - || 5.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;" | [[1967–68 NBA season|1967–68]]†
| align="left" | [[1967-68 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 78 || - || 13.9 || .400 || - || .589 || 4.1 || 0.7 || - || - || 6.3
|-
| align="left" | [[1968–69 NBA season|1968–69]]
| align="left" | [[1968-69 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee]]
| 78 || - || 30.2 || .427 || - || .664 || 8.6 || 1.9 || - || - || 13.1
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 831 || - || 26.2 || .440 || - || .640 || 9.1 || 1.4 || - || - || 12.5
|}

===Playoffs===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| align="left" | [[1961–62 NBA season|1961–62]]
| align="left" | [[1961-62 Cincinnati Royals season|Cincinnati]]
| 4 || - || 32.0 || '''.467''' || - || .778 || 11.3 || 2.0 || - || - || 14.0
|-
| align="left" | [[1962–63 NBA season|1962–63]]
| align="left" | [[1962-63 Cincinnati Royals season|Cincinnati]]
| 12 || - || 32.8 || .450 || - || .662 || '''13.5''' || 1.3 || - || - || '''16.8'''
|-
| align="left" | [[1963–64 NBA season|1963–64]]
| align="left" | [[1963-64 Cincinnati Royals season|Cincinnati]]
| 10 || - || '''36.3''' || .381 || - || .622 || 12.4 || '''2.1''' || - || - || 13.4
|-
| align="left" | [[1964–65 NBA season|1964–65]]
| align="left" | [[1964-65 Cincinnati Royals season|Cincinnati]]
| 4 || - || 30.8 || .438 || - || '''.818''' || 6.3 || 2.0 || - || - || 12.8
|-
| align="left" | [[1965–66 NBA season|1965–66]]
| align="left" | [[1965-66 Cincinnati Royals season|Cincinnati]]
| 5 || - || 27.8 || .421 || - || .583 || 6.8 || 0.4 || - || - || 7.8
|-
| align="left" | [[1966–67 NBA season|1966–67]]
| align="left" | [[1966-67 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 5 || - || 7.6 || .387 || - || .500 || 2.6 || 0.6 || - || - || 5.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;" | [[1967–68 NBA season|1967–68]]†
| align="left" | [[1967-68 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| '''16''' || - || 10.1 || .390 || - || .448 || 2.8 || 0.4 || - || - || 3.7
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 56 || - || 24.1 || .418 || - || .645 || 8.0 || 1.1 || - || - || 10.1
|}

==NBA front-office career==
In 1970, Embry left his job in Boston's department of recreation and joined the Bucks front office as director of player personnel, under team president [[Ray Patterson (basketball)|Ray Patterson]].<ref name=":15" /><ref name=":02" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-08-04 |title=Former Bucks, Rockets president Patterson dies |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/6832155/former-milwaukee-bucks-houston-rockets-president-ray-patterson-dies-89 |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> He served as Patterson's administrative assistant, originally working as chief scout and then becoming more involved with everyday team operations over time, learning management from Patterson (as he had previously learned from Red Auerbach).<ref name=":17" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 19, 1970 |title=Familiar Names Pop Up in Pro Basketball Circles |work=The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) |pages=64}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 13, 1971 |title=Milwaukee Bucks At Chadron Camp |work=Crawford Tribune (Crawford, Nebraska) |pages=4}}</ref> Embry kept an an eye for former Royals teammates he could lure to the rising contender.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}} 

Embry was instrumental in numerous signings to aid the team,{{citation needed|date=July 2025}} including his former teammate and roommate Oscar Robertson (traded to the Bucks in 1970) and scout [[John Killilea]].<ref name=":15" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-08 |title=Remembering Oscar Robertson's years with the Milwaukee Bucks |url=https://www.si.com/nba/bucks/old-school/remembering-oscar-robertsons-years-with-the-milwaukee-bucks |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Milwaukee Bucks On SI |language=en-US}}</ref> The Bucks also traded for Embry's old Royals' teammate [[Bob Boozer]] in September 1970, who played over 22 minutes per game for the Bucks during his final NBA season, adding potent depth to the Bucks' team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bob Boozer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/boozebo01.html |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 16, 1972 |title=Bucks Defeat Cavaliers |work=Wausau Daily Herald (Associated Press) |pages=17}}</ref> The addition of Robertson to a team that already included then-named future Hall of fame center [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar|Lew Alcindor]] (now [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]]) quickly produced an [[1971 NBA Finals|NBA title]] in 1971.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks Roster and Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1971.html |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |url=https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/kareem-abdul-jabbar/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=www.hoophall.com |language=en}}</ref> 

In 1972, when Patterson decided to leave the Bucks to take over the [[Houston Rockets]], Embry was unanimously selected as general manager by the Bucks' board.<ref name=":152">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Dave |date=March 11, 1972 |title=Bucks' Embry Eases Into History |work=Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wisconsin) |pages=30}}</ref> This made Embry the first African-American NBA general manager, and the first African-American general manager in any major U.S. sport.<ref name=":132">{{Cite web |title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Wayne Embry |url=https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/wayne-embry/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=www.hoophall.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":142">{{Cite news |last=Manoloff |first=Dennis |date=June 24, 1999 |title=Cavs' Embry joining elite of basketball |work=The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) |pages=39}}</ref><ref name=":16" /> He served as general manager for the Bucks (1972–1976), and then as a Bucks' vice president and consultant for the next eight years.<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |date=June 2, 1999 |title=Wayne Embry through the years |work=The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) |pages=10-D}}</ref><ref name=":132" />  

As general manager in 1975, Embry had to address Abdul-Jabbar's demand to be traded, though the Bucks did not want to trade him.<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Brien |first=Mike |date=June 17, 1975 |title=Wave of changes for Bucks? |work=West Bend News (West Bend, Wisconsin) |pages=8}}</ref> Embry traded Abdul-Jabbar and Walt Wesley to the Los Angeles Lakers for [[Elmore Smith]], [[Dave Meyers (basketball)|Dave Meyers]], [[Brian Winters]], and [[Junior Bridgeman]].<ref name=":02" /> He resigned as general manager early in the 1976-77 season, along with coach [[Larry Costello]], having fallen out of favor with team president James Fitzgerald.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 23, 1976 |title=Bucks' Costello, Embry resign |work=Stevens Point Journal (Stevens Point, Wisconsin) |pages=10}}</ref> 

In 1985, the [[Indiana Pacers]] hired Embry as a vice president and consultant, where he was instrumental in the 1986 draft.<ref name=":02" /> In June 1986, Embry was hired as vice president and general manager (1986–1999) of the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]. In his first season, Embry hired future Hall of fame player and coach [[Lenny Wilkens]] as head coach. Embry became an executive vice president in 1992, and in 1994 was promoted by the Cavaliers to executive operating officer and team president (1994-2000), while still its general manager, the first African-American to become an NBA team president. Embry stepped aside as general manager in June 1999 (for [[Jim Paxson]]). He remained general manager for the [[Women's National Basketball Association|WNBA]]'s [[Cleveland Rockers]].<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":132" /><ref name=":142" /><ref name=":162">{{Cite news |last=Colbourn |first=Glen |date=January 27, 2006 |title=Embry thrown into fire |work=The Toronto Star |pages=38}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Lenny Wilkens |url=https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/lenny-wilkens1/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=www.hoophall.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":16" />

In 2004, he was named senior assistant to the general manager of the [[Toronto Raptors]] ([[Rob Babcock]]), and became the team's interim general manager in 2006.<ref name=":132" /><ref name=":172">{{Cite news |last=Arthur |first=Bruce |date=June 8, 2004 |title=Peddie gives new GM 'autonomy' for change |work=National Post (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) |pages=24}}</ref><ref name=":162" /> Babcock was a rookie general manager when Embry was hired in 2004 to be Babcock's senior advisor.<ref name=":172" /> In April 2005, Embry was named senior advisor to the team's president, [[Richard Peddie]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 19, 2005 |title=Basketball, National Basketball Association |work=Sun-News (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) |pages=15}}</ref><ref name=":182">{{Cite news |date=January 27, 2006 |title=Raptors fire GM Babcock |work=The Town Talk (Alexandria, Louisiana) |pages=8}}</ref> bypassing Babcock in the chain of command.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}} In mid-January 2006, Peddie went to Embry as his senior advisor with concerns over Babcock's performance as general manager. Soon after, Peddie went to the Raptors' board with his concerns over Babcock and then announced Babcock's firing on January 26, 2006.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wherry |first=Aaron |date=January 27, 2006 |title='We Are In Transition' |work=National Post (Toronto, Ontario, Canda) |pages=21}}</ref>

On January 26, 2006, Raptor team president and CEO Peddie named Embry the interim general manager for the Raptors after the firing of Babcock,<ref name=":162" /><ref name=":182" /> a position Embry held for less than two months until [[Bryan Colangelo]] was hired as the new president and general manager.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 28, 2006 |title=NBA Roundup |work=The Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania) |pages=38}}</ref> Still, during his short stint as general manager, Embry engineered two significant trades.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |title=About Wayne Embry |url=https://fellowship.raptors.com/wayne-embry-bio#:~:text=Wayne%20Embry%20embodies%20and%20lives,2004%20as%20senior%20basketball%20advisor. |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=fellowship.raptors.com |language=en}}</ref> Embry has continued to serve as senior basketball advisor for the Raptors (through at least 2024).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fonseca |first=Brian |date=June 25, 2022 |title=Rutgers' Harper takes first step in his professional basketball journey |work=South Jersey Times (Mullica Hill, New Jersey) |pages=B1}}</ref><ref name=":18">{{Cite news |date=March 11, 2024 |title=The long and short of Tecumseh's Cinderella season |work=Springfield News-Sun (Springfield, Ohio) |pages=B1}}</ref> Since joining the team, the Raptors went on to become NBA champions in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2019 NBA Finals - Warriors vs. Raptors |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2019-nba-finals-warriors-vs-raptors.html |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Honors ==
Embry was selected ''[[The Sporting News]]''<nowiki/>' NBA Executive of the Year in 1992 and 1997, and [[Sports Illustrated|''Sports Illustrated'']] Executive of the Year in 1998.<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":132" /><ref name=":162" />

In 1999, Embry was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor to the game of basketball.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Wayne Embry |url=https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/wayne-embry/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=www.hoophall.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":14">{{Cite news |last=Manoloff |first=Dennis |date=June 24, 1999 |title=Cavs' Embry joining elite of basketball |work=The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) |pages=39}}</ref>

Embry was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 as a member of the charter class.<ref name="ohiobasketballhalloffame.com" /> He was the 2013 recipient of the Ohio Heritage Award,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wayne Embry Ohio Heritage Award |url=https://ohiobasketballhalloffame.com/news-events/induction-ceremony/ohio-heritage-award/wayne-embry.html |access-date=2022-01-19 |website=ohiobasketballhalloffame.com |language=en}}</ref> recognizing an Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame inductee for his or her contributions to the state of Ohio off the court.

On May 18, 2021, Miami University unveiled a statue which stands at the south entrance of Millett Hall, the university's basketball arena. It captures Embry’s likeness and signature hook shot.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 19, 2021 |title=Miami honors Wayne and Theresa Embry with Freedom Summer of '64 Award |url=https://www.miamioh.edu/news/top-stories/2021/05/wayne-and-theresa-embry-honored-with-freedom-summer-of-64-award.html |website=Miami University}}</ref> Private donations funded the creation of the statue and a Wayne Embry Scholarship, which will support Miami varsity men’s basketball student-athletes. The university also presented Embry and his late wife, Theresa “Terri” Embry (Miami ’60), with the Freedom Summer of ’64 Award, which is bestowed each year upon a distinguished leader who has inspired the nation to advance civil rights and social justice.<ref>{{Citation |title=Wayne Embry (Miami '58) Statue Dedication |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upHyDEfhJ-w |access-date=2022-01-19 |language=en}}</ref>

He has received the [[Sports Business Journal|Sports Business Journal's Champions Award]], the Global Sports Management Summit's Lifetime Achievement Award and the Giant Steps Award from the [[National Consortium for Academics and Sports]].<ref name=":16" />

Both his high school and college uniform numbers have been retired.<ref name=":16" />

A portion of [[U.S. Route 40|U. S. Route 40]] in front of Tecumseh High School near Springfield, Ohio was named in Wayne Embry's honor.<ref>{{cite web |title=MURedHawks.com – The Official Athletic Website of Miami University |url=http://www.muredhawks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205682559 |access-date=May 23, 2017 |website=www.muredhawks.com}}</ref>

==Personal life and legacy==
Embry and his wife Theresa (Terri) met in college, and have two daughters and one son. He also has a granddaughter. Terri obtained a bachelor's degree in education, and participated in civil rights marches led by [[Martin Luther King Jr.|Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.]] Later in life she served on boards at the University of Miami and the [[National Urban League|Urban League]]. She died on August 27, 2020 at age 82.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/embry_bio.html|title=WAYNE EMBRY – THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE TORONTO RAPTORS|website=www.nba.com|access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref><ref name="nndb.com"/><ref name=":1" />  Embry is distantly related to [[Marty Embry]], another professional basketball player.

Upon retiring as an NBA player, Embry was named recreation director for the city of Boston.<ref name=":12" />

He has been a founder and CEO of his own businesses, and member of numerous nonprofit and corporate boards of directors, including Kohl's, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Centerior Energy and Ohio Casualty Insurance.<ref name="nndb.com" />

He is the author of an autobiography ''The Inside Game: Race, Power and Politics in the NBA'' (University of Akron Press, 2004), with Mary Schmitt Boyer of the ''[[The Plain Dealer|Cleveland Plain Dealer]]'' and a forward by [[Spike Lee]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Livingston |first=Bill |date=May 16, 2004 |title=Embry's candor blurs his message |work=The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) |pages=37}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Embry |first=Wayne |title=The Inside Game: Race, Power and Politics in the NBA |last2=Boyer |first2=Mary Schmitt |publisher=University of Akron Press |year=2005 |isbn=9781931968140 |language=en-US}}</ref> The book created controversy as to whether [[Don Nelson]] had questioned the ability of blacks to coach in the NBA, which Embry had asserted in the book and which Nelson denied saying.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Price |first=Dwain |date=March 31, 2004 |title=Silas wants to steer clear of dispute |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |pages=48}}</ref>

Embry has been a trustee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame since 1974 and has served on various senior-level committees for the NBA and USA Basketball. In recognition of his career both on the court and in the front office, he was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame as a contributor to the sport in 1999. He also served as a member of Miami's Board of Trustees for 14 years, including one year as chair.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.miamiathleticfund.org/s/916/gradchamps/interior.aspx?sid=916&gid=1&pgid=8715|title=Wayne Embry '58|website=www.miamiathleticfund.org|language=en|access-date=2019-12-23}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Basketballhof|wayne-embry}}
* Wayne Embry's [https://ohiobasketballhalloffame.com/hall-of-fame/inductees/2006/wayne-embry.html Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech].
*Wayne Embry's [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upHyDEfhJ-w Miami University statue dedication and Freedom of '64 Award Ceremony]
{{Basketballstats|bbr=e/embrywa01}}
* [http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/embry_bio.html Toronto Raptors profile]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrbv5md_xTI Embry interview in 1973 AFVN radio aircheck]<!--Event begins at 3:35-->

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[[Category:1937 births]]
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