NASHVILLE (AP) — The street in front of Vanderbilt's Memorial Gymnasium is being renamed "Perry Wallace Way" to honor the first black basketball player on scholarship in the Southeastern Conference.

Vanderbilt announced Wednesday that the portion of 25th Avenue South will be renamed ceremonially to honor Wallace, who died Dec. 1, 2017.

The Nashville Metro Council approved a measure Tuesday night from Councilwoman Burkley Allen to rename the portion of the street on Vanderbilt's campus from West End Avenue to Blakemore Avenue.

Interim Chancellor Susan R. Wente says Vanderbilt is deeply thankful for the help celebrating Wallace's legacy as a trailblazer.

Wallace became the first black to play in a varsity game Dec. 2, 1967, in a game at Southern Methodist, and he made his SEC debut two days later at Memorial Gym against Auburn. He was captain of the team when he graduated in 1970.