 Grady
Truss
1986 Greater Flint
Afro-American Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: BASKETBALL
Son of Andrew and Fannie Truss
Wife: Spencelle O. Truss
Son: Vance, daughter: Paula
When the name Truss appeared in the line-up at Flint Northern, opposing
coaches were saying to each other "another one?" That was
said because Grady's brother, Lincoln, had passed through Northern
leaving the name of Truss as something to fear.
In 1934, Northern had lost the State title after winning in 1933 but
now opponents were faced with an exceedingly bashful sophomore named
Grady Truss. He was a tall spindle-legged youngster with long arms
and hands at the pivot spot. There would be no moving up the system
for him. He became an instant star.
He played the key position on defense and triggered the offense that
led Northern to a record nineteen straight wins, tying the State Class
A record held by Lansing Central in 1934.
Led by lanky Grady Truss, Northern played superior basketball for
three years. Time and time again his long hands seemed to appear from
nowhere to bat down field goal attempts by opposing players. He controlled
the backboards at both ends of the court. He seldom lost a tip off,
allowing Northern to always score first. His play at the pivot and
brilliant defensive play were outstanding factors that brought Northern
and himself success and honor's during his outstanding three years
at Northern. He won All-State honors in 1935-36. Grady won the City,
Valley and State Championship in 1936, City and Valley Champions three
straight years.
Truss set a city series scoring record for a career Northern vs. Central
(75 points). He scored a record fifty-one points in a five game state
tournament. In 1936 he was one of two men to score over 100 points
on the same team in one season in the Saginaw Valley. He was selected
MVP in the Saginaw Valley in 1937. He was the first black basketball
player captain at Northern-1936-37 and was considered by many to be
the best center in Flint high school history for many years.
In 1938, Maurie Cossman, in his article "Echoes in the Valley," picked
the Northern all-time All-Star Team and named Dotson and Grady Truss,
Bill Barclay, Andy Sabota and George Falkowski as his choices.
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