Perry Wallace, the SEC's first black basketball player, dies on the eve of being recognized for his role in integrating the league. Wallace made his historic debut for Vanderbilt fifty years ago. Perry Wallace (25) of the Vanderbilt Commodores in play during the 1967 season. Malcolm Emmons-Twitter, USA TODAY Sports He played one game as a freshman and scored six points before suffering a knee injury that ended his career early. Wallace's number has been retired by Vanderbilt. In addition to Wallace, there have been several other black players in the SEC history. James White and Willie Smith were both star guards at Alabama in the 1950s. They are the only two blacks to have their numbers retired by the school. Neither one of them played at Vanderbilt. John Robic is the only other Vandy player who is included in the SEC Hall of Fame. He was a forward who spent one season with the Commodores in 1969-70. He had three points off of two rebounds in four minutes of action against Southern Methodist in his lone game for Vandy. There have been several other black players who have appeared in the SEC over the years but they never played for a varsity team. They include Rod Strickland, Muggsy Bogues, Darnell Hillman, Calvin O'Neal, and DeSagana Diop. Some of them even earned All-SEC honors.