Bill Ligon, Vanderbilt basketball's second Black player, dies at 72

Bill Ligon, the second Black varsity basketball player at Vanderbilt, died Tuesday at his home in Gallatin. He was 72.

Ligon was featured in the book "More Than Rivals" about the friendship between Ligon and Eddie Sherlin prior to the integration of all-Black Union and all-white Gallatin High School in 1970. The two players hugged at midcourt after the District 20 championship game in 1970, the last game before Sumner County integrated its schools.

He played at Vanderbilt from 1971-74, averaging 11.7 points per game, and was part of the 1974 SEC championship team. He followed Perry Wallace, who played between 1968-70 and was the first Black player for the Commodores.

Ligon was drafted in the 10th round of the 1974 NBA Draft and played one season for the Detroit Pistons. After his career ended, he returned to his hometown of Gallatin and worked as an attorney.

"I am sad to hear of the passing of Vanderbilt pioneer Bill Ligon, our 2nd Black varsity basketball player," Lee said on X, formerly Twitter. "Bill went on to play for the Detroit Pistons & enjoyed a long career as an attorney in his hometown of Gallatin, TN. My condolences to Bill’s family, friends & teammates."

For his high school career, Ligon was named to The Tennessean's All-Decade Team for the 1970s. He also played quarterback on the football team at Union High in addition to basketball.

A celebration of life will be held June 22 at noon at the Zion Apostolic Faith Church in Gallatin.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on Twitter @aria_gerson.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Bill Ligon: Vanderbilt basketball's second Black player dies at 72