Rest In Peace To Harlem Globetrotter Legend Meadowlark Lemon

The Globetrotters were often part of the TV networks main sports weekend sports programming appearing on Wide World of Sports, Sports Spectacular, The Ed Sullivan Show and David Letterman’s talk shows.

Lemon enraptured audiences with half-court hook shots, constant on-court chatter, stunts like handing out hot pretzels to Madison Square Garden referees (mid-game no less), and most of all his ball-handling skills and wizard-like passing.

Harlem Globetrotters star Meadowlark Lemon, passed away in Arizona on Sunday at 83 years of age. But it was his charisma and comic bravado that made him perhaps the most famous Globetrotter. He also recalled Lemon’s competitiveness when Lemon rejoined the Globetrotters for a short tour in 1994. “We have lost a great ambassador of the game”, chief executive of Globetrotters Kurt Schneider told BBC.

Meadowlark Lemon, seen in a 2013 photo, entertained crowds the world over with his basketball skills and comic sensibility.

JOEL ROSE, BYLINE: When Meadowlark Lemon joined the Globetrotters in the 1950s, the team and not the NBA was the biggest brand in professional basketball.

They played a total of over 16,000 games in over 100 countries. He also worked regularly as a motivational speaker and was the author of the 2012 book “Trust Your Next Shot: A Guide to a Life of Joy”.

Lemon was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 – quite an accomplishment for someone who didn’t play in college or the NBA. Money discrepancies, would find Tommy Bookins and other members leaving to start the Globetrotters. George “Meadowlark” Lemon III leaves behind ten children as well as his second wife, Dr. Cynthia Lemon. His likeness has been captured in two 1970s Hanna-Barbera animated shows, The Super Globetrotters and Harlem Globetrotters.

“I don’t worry that I never played against some of those guys”, Lemon said in a 2010 Sport Illustrated interview when asked about never having played in the N.B.A. “I’ll put it this way…”

Mitchell said he quickly became friends with Lemon, applauding his professionalism and dedication to the team.