Harlem Globetrotters star Meadowlark Lemon dies at 83
Dec. 7, 2010: Former Harlem Globetrotter and Basketball Hall of Famer Meadow "Meadowlark" Lemon poses for a portrait in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Reuters)
Meadowlark Lemon, who became known as the "Clown Prince of Basketball" during a run of more than two decades as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters, died Sunday. He was 83.
Lemon's death was first reported by The New York Times, who cited his wife, Cynthia.
A North Carolina native who played college basketball at Florida A&M, Lemon first applied to join the Globetrotters in 1954, after a stint in the Army. He became a full-fledged team member two years later.
Over the next 22 years, Lemon was the most visible member of the Globetrotters during an era when their popularity rivaled that of most NBA teams. Their barnstorming tour took them across America and around the world. Those who couldn't get tickets could watch their habitual appearances on ABC's "Wide World of Sports."
Lemon left the Globetrotters in 1978 amid a contract dispute. He later formed his own barnstorming teams, with names like the Bucketeers and the Shooting Stars. He continued to play the sport well into his 70s.
As his basketball career wound down, Lemon became an ordained Christian minister, creating his own self-named evangelistic organization in 1994. Lemon was inducted in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.
In addition to Cynthia, Lemon is survived by his ten children.
Click for more from The New York Times.
Lemon's death was first reported by The New York Times, who cited his wife, Cynthia.
A North Carolina native who played college basketball at Florida A&M, Lemon first applied to join the Globetrotters in 1954, after a stint in the Army. He became a full-fledged team member two years later.
Over the next 22 years, Lemon was the most visible member of the Globetrotters during an era when their popularity rivaled that of most NBA teams. Their barnstorming tour took them across America and around the world. Those who couldn't get tickets could watch their habitual appearances on ABC's "Wide World of Sports."
Lemon left the Globetrotters in 1978 amid a contract dispute. He later formed his own barnstorming teams, with names like the Bucketeers and the Shooting Stars. He continued to play the sport well into his 70s.
As his basketball career wound down, Lemon became an ordained Christian minister, creating his own self-named evangelistic organization in 1994. Lemon was inducted in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.
In addition to Cynthia, Lemon is survived by his ten children.
Click for more from The New York Times.
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