One of the most famous Harlem Globetrotters of all time was Meadowlark Lemon, who played with the Globetrotters from 1954 to 1980. During his 26 year run, Lemon was known for his extraordinary ability to entertain audiences all over the world, with his legendary basketball skills, trick shots, and humorous antics.
The show would often include him spinning one basketball on each finger, or even making shots from half court to delights his fans. Additionally, every performance concluded with his signature move: the Buckete, where his partner put him in a basket and shot it into the stands.
Lemon was even deemed “The Clown Prince” of basketball and was the most recognizable face in the entire nation when the Harlem Globetrotters started their world tours in the 1950s. He played in over 6,000 basketball games and traveled over 25 million miles throughout his career.
Since his retirement it 1982, Lemon was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 and selected as one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players. He will always remain as one of the most beloved and well-known Globetrotters and athletes of all time.
Did the Harlem Globetrotters ever have a white player?
Yes, the Harlem Globetrotters did have a white player. Fred “Curly” Neal was their first white player, joining the team in 1954. Neal was an All-American at Johnson C. Smith University and was drafted by the NBA’s Minneapolis Lakers.
He chose instead to join the touring Harlem Globetrotters, becoming the first white player in the franchise’s history. Neal went on to tour with the team for over 22 years and become a globally-recognized star.
He remains an iconic part of the team’s storied history. In addition, Neal was joined by a few other white players on the team over the years, including Chuck Nevitt, Tom “Legs” Sadlier, Michael Wilson, and more recently Kevin Daley.
What NBA players played for the Harlem Globetrotters?
The Harlem Globetrotters have had a variety of NBA players on their roster over the years. Notable NBA players who also played with the Harlem Globetrotters include Meadowlark Lemon, Wilt Chamberlain, Reece “Goose” Tatum, Curly Neal, and Connie Hawkins.
Chamberlain and Lemon both spent the majority of their professional basketball careers with the Harlem Globetrotters, while Tatum, Neal, and Hawkins had significant stints with the Globetrotters in between their NBA careers.
Meadowlark Lemon, who is often considered one of the best players to ever join the Globetrotters, played for the team for 22 years starting in 1954. He started his NBA career in 1958 with the Milwaukee Hawks but left the team two years later to join the Globetrotters permanently.
Wilt Chamberlain spent two years with the Globetrotters during the 1959-1960 and 1960-1961 seasons while he was still an active NBA player. Reece “Goose” Tatum is considered one of the best players in the team’s history and was a Globetrotter from 1973 to 1979 after an NBA career that began in 1951.
Curly Neal joined the Globetrotters in 1963 and played with them for 22 years until his retirement in 1985. Connie Hawkins, who is considered one of the most talented players of his era, spent one season with the Globetrotters in 1969 after an NBA career that spanned four seasons.
How many times have the Globetrotters lost to the generals?
The Harlem Globetrotters and the Washington Generals have been playing each other since 1952, and since then, the Globetrotters have only lost to the Generals a handful of times. According to the Washington Generals website, they have won nine total games against the Globetrotters in over 15,000 meetings.
Of these victories, the Generals have won eight exhibition games between 1952 and 1995, as well as an official game against the Globetrotters in 1971. That said, the Generals have not been on the winning side of a game against the Globetrotters in nearly 40 years.
How much do Harlem Wizards get paid?
The exact amount that Harlem Wizards players get paid depends on various factors, such as the event and the caliber of the players selected to participate. Generally speaking, performers can expect to make an average of $200-$300 per hour.
This can be more for a large event, or less for a smaller gathering. Likewise, the demand for certain players in the league can influence the total pay rate. The length of each show and the number of shows performed can also affect the overall amount the players are paid.
Has there ever been a white Harlem Globetrotter?
No, there has never been a white Harlem Globetrotter. The original team of all African American players was founded in 1926, and only players of color have played for the Globetrotters ever since. They have always been an integral part of African-American culture and have used their impressive basketball skills to put on shows that entertain crowds all around the world.
Though the team has featured people from other ethnic backgrounds such as Latin Americans, West Indians, and Italians, the Globetrotters have never had a white member on their roster.
Do you have to be black to be a Globetrotter?
No, you do not have to be black in order to be a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. The team was originally created in 1926 with just six African-American players, but since then, the team has had Caucasian and non-black players as well.
Currently, the roster is made up of both black and non-black players, with two of the many Globetrotters members originating in Spain. The team is known for its athletic prowess, humor and entertainment, so players are selected for their ability to perform to the highest standards of basketball, regardless of their background.