Harlem Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon dies

It was part of Lenny’s annual celebrity weekend. He helped elucidate the funnest aspects of basketball to the furthest reaching corners of the world, and was one of the game’s most beloved figures. He would go on to the National Basketball Association where he would win world championships and become a Hall of Fame Player but Lemon was his all time favorite teammate. The touring group of basketball players are known for their skills handling of the balls, dodging and sidesteps, and humor.

Many of Lemon’s fans and those who saw him play during his career took to Twitter to express their condolences, including actor Rob Lowe and Mike Greenberg, co-host of the ESPN radio show “Mike & Mike”.

A native of Wilmington, North Carolina, he displayed an array of tricks and a larger-than-life presence on the court. Wilt Chamberlain, considered one of the NBA’s greatest players, probably delivered the best compliment to Lemon’s skills when he named Lemon the greatest basketball player of all times.

March 25, 2008, “Charlotte Talks” featuring Meadowlark Lemon.

He then formed his own comedy basketball teams – the Meadowlark Lemon’s Bucketeers, the Shooting Stars and Meadowlark Lemon’s Harlem All-Stars – and continued to play into his 70s. Popularly known as the “clown prince” because of his numerous pranks and notable hook shots that entertained basketball fanatics around the globe.

He also had a knack for sending the fans home with a smile every night, whether it was with his running commentary, putting confetti in a water bucket or pulling down the trousers of an “unsuspecting” referee. His likeness also appeared on the cartoon series Scooby Doo.

After attending Florida A&M University, Lemon played during one of the Globetrotters’ overseas tours while serving in the Army, and requested a tryout with the team.

Through his ministry, Lemon spent his later years as a motivational speaker, meeting children around the country at basketball camps and youth prisons.

“He was a true showman, and always taught me to leave a crowd wanting more, and I can say that’s exactly how I feel right now”. He never lost that connection to the fans.