Today we were saddened to learn of the passing of Harlem Globetrotter legend, Meadowlark Lemon.
Lemon, known for halfcourt hook shots, hilarious pranks and no-look behind-the-back passes, died on Sunday in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he lived. He was 83.
The death was confirmed by his wife, Cynthia Lemon.
Growing up in North Carolina, Lemon dreamed of playing for the Globetrotters and joined the team in 1954 after leaving the Army. He rose to become the team leader, assuming the mantle from longtime player Reece “Goose” Tatum. He played with the Globetrotters until he left in 1978, eventually moving on to appear in a variety of television shows and even forming his own travel squads- Meadowlark Lemons Bucketeers, the Shooting Stars and Meadowlark Lemons Harlem All-Stars. He played into his 70s and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.
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