Meadowlark Lemon
[From article]
Basketball great Meadowlark Lemon passed away aged 83 at his Arizona home on Sunday.
He was one of the greatest and most popular to ever play the game despite never competing in the NBA and instead playing for the Harlem Globetrotters for all 24 years of his professional career.
He was known for making unbelievable half-court shots during games, some from behind his back without ever looking at the hoop.
In addition to his natural skills, he also had a funny side, and his antics during games and the pranks he would pull on opposing teams earned him the nickname 'Clown Prince'.
[. . .]
The advent of the civil rights and black power movements of the 1960s caused some to brand the Globetrotters as minstrel show stereotypes, with much of the criticism falling on Lemon.
'I'm an athlete but athletes are entertainers and entertainers can be comedians,' Lemon told the Los Angeles Times in 2004.
'I'm all of the above.'
Lemon left the Globetrotters in 1979 but returned for 50 games in 1994. He also started three comedy-basketball teams of his own over the years but none caught on like the Globetrotters.
[. . .]
In 2003 he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, and cited for making significant contributions to the game.
Lemon was married twice and had 10 children. In 2015 his ex-wife, who he divorced in 1977, and 48-year-old son sued him for $250,000 in child support they said he did not pay.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3376303/Meadowlark-Lemon-star-Harlem-Globetrotters-dies-83-report.html
Harlem Globetrotters 'Clown Prince' Meadowlark Lemon known for his jaw-dropping half-court shots and game pranks dies aged 83
Meadowlark Lemon passed away at his Arizona home on Sunday aged 83
Arguably the team's best loved player after playing 23 seasons
When he joined in 1954 the team competed against other major opponents, but after the NBA was formed switched to trick plays and antics
Lemon was known for his half-court hook shots and gags like chasing down referees and pouring buckets of glitter over referees' heads
Wilt Chamberlain called him the greatest player of all time
By Reuters
Daily Mail (UK)
Published: 08:24 EST, 28 December 2015 | Updated: 14:46 EST, 28 December 2015
* * *
Gentle giant: Holman's wife said he was peaceful off the court and he later went on to work as a counselor at a children's home.
[From article]
One of basketball's greatest entertainers, 'General' Lee Holman, has died aged 61.
The Harlem Globetrotter, who played for the exhibition team from 1976 to 1982, died on Christmas Day, his wife said.
Holman passed away two days before his former Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon, who died aged 83 on Sunday.
The General, who lived in South Carolina, was regarded as one of the team's great playmakers and was a leader on the court.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3379562/Gentle-giant-former-Harlem-Globetrotter-General-Lee-Holman-dies-aged-61-Christmas-Day.html
Gentle giant and former Harlem Globetrotter 'General' Lee Holman dies aged 61 on Christmas Day - the same week fellow team member Meadowlark Lemon died
'General' Lee Holman died on Christmas Day aged 61, his wife Loula said
Basketball great played for the Harlem Globetrotters from 1976 to 1982
He was a leader on the court but a gentle giant back at home, Loula said
The 6ft 8ins star died at hospital, surrounded by his friends and family
Former Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon also died this week, aged 83
By Ollie Gillman For Dailymail.com
Published: 18:27 EST, 30 December 2015 | Updated: 19:30 EST, 30 December 2015
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