OUTSTANDING ATHLETE

Induction Year: 1996 | Graduation Year: 1954

Wayne graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1954. Played basketball, football, baseball, track and was vice-president of his Senior Class.

Holds a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Miami University where he captained Miami's basketball team from 1956-58 and was named all-mid American conference in the 1957-58 season. A member of the Miami university Hall of Fame, Wayne became the fourth Miami University basketball player to have his jersey retired and hanging in the rafters of Millett Hall.

Playing professionally for the Cincinnati Royals (1958-66) the Boston Celtics (1966-68), including the Celtics World championship team in 1968 and the Milwaukee Bucks (1968-69). He was selected to participate in five NBA All-Star games, was captain of the Royals from 1962-66 and was named the first captain of the Milwaukee Bucks during the 1968-69 season.

In 1972 Embry was named vice president and general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks. During his six years as general manager, he established the Milwaukee Bucks as one of the premier franchises in the league. He was involved in the delicate handling of the Kareem Abdul Jabbar trade to the Los Angeles Lakers-one of the biggest trades in the history of the NBA. this trade was instrumental for the Bucks, who won eleven division titles during the 1970's and 1980's.

Embry served the Indiana Pacers for one year as a consultant and vice president as well as being a member of the Pacers Board of Directors.

In June of 1986 Embry became vice president and general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers, followed by being elevated to president and chief operating officer in 1994. Under Embry's leadership the Cavaliers surfaced as a contender and interest in the team has risen dramatically over the course of his tenure.

Having completed his 10th season with the Cavaliers by gaining a berth in the 1996 NBA playoffs and having reached the Eastern Conference finals in 1992, Wayne Embry has made great progress toward completing the challenge of ensuring that the Cleveland Cavaliers continue with their plan to bring an NBA title to the fans of Northeast Ohio.

The Cavaliers have made the playoffs five straight seasons and eight of the ten years during the Wayne Embry era. In the previous 16 years of the franchise's existence, the Cavaliers made a total of four NBA playoff appearances.

Embry's responsibilities as president and chief operating officer of the Cavaliers include him overseeing the daily basketball operations of the franchise. Embry is responsible for the screening, interviewing, hiring and evaluation of administrative, coaching and player personnel. He functions as the teams ultimate decision maker on all trades and player procurement, negotiates all player contracts and manages the franchise's annual basketball operations budget.

In 1991-92 Wayne Embry was chosen as the sporting news NBA executive of the year by a vote of NBA executives. His leadership and dedication to the game of basketball has established him as one of the most respected executives in the

NBA.

Wayne and his wife Terri, reside in Morland Hills, Ohio.