Harlem Globetrotters facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This article is about Harlem Globetrotters (TV series). For Harlem Globetrotters (video game), see Harlem Globetrotters (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids

Harlem Globetrotters

Leagues

Independent

Founded

1926; 99 years ago

History

1926–27: Chicago GlobeTrotters
1928–29: New York Harlem Globetrotters
1929–present: Harlem Globetrotters

Arena

Barnstorming team

Team colors

Red, white, blue

Head coach

"Sweet" Lou Dunbar (coach)
Barry Hardy (coach)

Ownership

Herschend Family Entertainment

Championships

Uniforms

Primary

Secondary

The Harlem Globetrotters are a famous American basketball team known for their amazing skills and funny tricks. They mix sports, acting, and comedy into their games. Over the years, they have played more than 26,000 exhibition games in 124 countries. They usually play against teams like the Washington Generals, who are part of the show and usually lose. The Globetrotters' special song is "Sweet Georgia Brown", and their mascot is a friendly globe named "Globie". The team is currently owned by Herschend Family Entertainment.

The Globetrotters' Story
Current Roster
Globetrotters' Draft Picks
Honored Players: Retired Numbers
Honorary Team Members
See also

The Globetrotters' Story

The Globetrotters started in 1926 in Chicago. The first players grew up there and went to Wendell Phillips High School. They began as the Savoy Big Five, playing basketball before dances at the Savoy Ballroom. This helped attract more people to the ballroom.

In 1928, some players left to form a new team called the "Globe Trotters". They toured southern Illinois. Soon after, Abe Saperstein became their manager and promoter. By 1929, Saperstein was touring with his team, calling them the "New York Harlem Globe Trotters". He chose "Harlem" because it was a famous center for Black American culture. "Globetrotter" was chosen to make it sound like the team traveled all over the world.

Early Success and NBA Changes

The 1950 World Series Harlem Globetrotters, with owner Abe Saperstein (right) and team secretary W. S. Welch (left)

The Globetrotters were very successful in early basketball tournaments. They won the World Professional Basketball Tournament in 1940. In 1948, they made big news by beating the Minneapolis Lakers, one of the best white basketball teams. The Globetrotters were so good because they had many of the best Black basketball players in the country.

However, things changed when the National Basketball Association (NBA) started to grow. In the 1950s, NBA teams began to sign Black players. In 1950, Chuck Cooper from the Globetrotters became the first Black player drafted into the NBA. His teammate, Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, was the first Black player to sign an NBA contract.

Becoming Entertainment Stars

Over time, the Globetrotters added more funny routines to their games. This idea is often credited to Goose Tatum, who joined the team in 1941. They became known more for their amazing entertainment than just for winning games.

The Globetrotters' shows feature incredible teamwork and ball handling. They pass and juggle basketballs, spin them on their fingertips, and make really difficult shots.

In 1952, the Globetrotters asked Louis "Red" Klotz to create a team to play against them. This team became the Washington Generals. The Generals are known for being the Globetrotters' main opponents, and the Globetrotters almost always win their games.

Globetrotters Around the World

In 1959, the Globetrotters played nine games in Moscow, Russia. The team, which included famous player Wilt Chamberlain, was very popular with the fans and leaders. They even met the leader of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev.

At first, some people in Moscow were a bit confused by the show. One report said, "A Soviet audience of 14,000 sat almost silently... through the first half." But they soon realized it was more of a show than a serious competition. The Globetrotters brought their own opponent, the San Francisco Chinese Basketeers. A newspaper in Russia said, "This is not basketball; it is too full of tricks," but still praised the Globetrotters' skills.

The American news also talked about the games. They saw it as a sign that relations between the U.S. and Russia were getting better.

Ownership Changes and Famous Players

Over the years, the Globetrotters have had different owners. In 1967, Metromedia tried to buy the team, but the deal didn't go through. Later, George N. Gillett Jr. bought them in 1968. Metromedia eventually bought the team in 1976.

Many famous basketball players have played for the Globetrotters. Some, like "Wee" Willie Gardner, Connie "the Hawk" Hawkins, Wilt "the Stilt" Chamberlain, and Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, later joined the NBA. In 1985, the Globetrotters signed their first female player, Olympic gold medalist Lynette Woodard.

In 1993, former Globetrotter player Mannie Jackson bought the team. In 1995, Orlando Antigua became the first Hispanic player on the team. He was the first non-Black player since Bob Karstens played in 1942–43.

In 2013, Herschend Family Entertainment bought the Globetrotters. In June 2021, the Globetrotters even asked to join the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a new team.

Are the Games Real?

The Globetrotters' Magic Circle in 2019

While parts of a modern Globetrotters game are planned, the games themselves are not completely fake. Their opponents, like the Washington Generals, don't stop the Globetrotters' tricks when they are defending. However, when the Generals have the ball, they play seriously. About 20 to 30 percent of a game is "real" basketball.

This led to a famous moment in 1971 when the Washington Generals actually won! The Globetrotters got too caught up in their tricks and lost their big lead. The Generals then made a game-winning shot right at the end, surprising everyone.

Current Roster

Players

Coaches

Pos.	#	Name	Ht.	Wt.	From
G	0	Tompkins, Justin "X-Over"	4 ft 6 in (1.37 m)	–	Borough of Manhattan CC*
F	1	Porter, Arysia "Ace"	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)	–	St. Mary's (TX)*
G	3	Artis, Darnell "Speedy"	5 ft 7 in (1.7 m)	–	Gwynedd Mercy*
G	4	Railey, Tyriek "Shake"	5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)	–	Virginia Union
F	5	Mack, Chandler "Bulldog"	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	–	Freed-Hardeman*
G	6	Sidney, Eryka "Spice"	5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)	–	Houston
G	7	Winston, Lucius "Too Tall"	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	–	Tuskegee*
G	8	West, Kaylin "Sunshine"	5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)	–	Georgetown
G	9	Swanson, Jahmani "Hot Shot"	4 ft 5 in (1.35 m)	–	Monroe*
G	10	George, Cherelle "Torch"	5 ft 3 in (1.6 m)	132 lb (60 kg)	Purdue
G	11	Chisholm, Brawley "Cheese"	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	–	Ball State
F	12	Barrera, Jason "Buckets"	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	–	Mount Saint Vincent*
F	17	Kirkendoll, Travion "Diesel"	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	–	Centenary*
G	18	Lister, Fatima "TNT"	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)	–	Temple
G	21	Garcia, Carl "Lights Out"	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	–	Miles*
F	23	Law, Corey "Thunder"	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	–	High Point*
F	24	Gilmore, Marlow "Dragon"	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	–	Francis Marion*
F	25	Moore, Malik "Prime Time"	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	–	USC Upstate*
F	27	Burrell, Cameron "Silk"	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	–	Lindenwood*
F	28	Ballard, Joe "Jumpin"	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	–	Glenville State*
G	29	Gaffney, Evan "Swish"	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	–	Tennessee Wesleyan*
F	30	McClurkin, Julian "Zeus"	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	–	North Carolina A&T
F	31	Harrison, Donte "Hammer"	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)	–	Hampton*
G	32	Rivers, Latif "Jet"	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	–	Wagner*
G	33	Bullard, William "Bull"	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	–	Texas A&M-Corpus Christi*
F	38	Blount Jr., Mark "Splash"	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	–	Neumann*
F	39	Driscoll, Marcus "Bones"	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	–	Montgomery College*
G	40	Middleton, Rock "Wham"	5 ft 7 in (1.7 m)	–	Savannah State*
F	41	Dunbar, Louis "Sweet Lou II"	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	–	Oklahoma City*
F	42	Sharpless, Angelo "Spider"	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	–	Elizabeth City State*
F	44	Moss, Prince "Baller"	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	–	Grambling State*
F	45	Weekes, Alex "Moose"	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	–	Middle Tennessee*
F	46	Douglas, Gwarren "Tree"	6 ft 7.5 in (2.02 m)	–	Clark Atlanta*
F	47	De La Rosa, Joey "Hot Rod"	7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)	–	St. John's
G	48	Kidoń, Paweł "Dazzle"	5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)	–	Zubrzyca Dolna, Poland
F	49	Price, Asanti "Cash"	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	–	Benedict
F	51	Whitsett, Andrew "Big Dog"	7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)	–	Cal State Dominguez Hills*
F	53	Key, Jarius "Dynamite"	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	–	Campbellsville*
F	54	Mitchell, Brandon "Hi-Rise"	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	–	San Jose State
F	55	McClure, Randy "Crash"	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	–	Albany State*
F	56	Jackson, Zavian "Sky"	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	–	Arkansas–Pine Bluff*
G	58	Pearce, Max "Hops"	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	–	Purchase College*

Head coach

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Assistant coach(es)

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Legend

(C) Team captain
(DP) Unsigned draft pick
(FA) Free agent
Injured

Roster
Last change: 2024-12-13

Globetrotters' Draft Picks

Since 2007, the Globetrotters have held an annual "draft" before the NBA draft. They pick players they think would be great Globetrotters. Being drafted doesn't guarantee a spot on the team, but many drafted players have joined.

Some notable people drafted by the Globetrotters include:

Basketball players like Sun Mingming (2007), Patrick Ewing Jr. (2008), Brittney Griner (2013), and Andrew Goudelock (2011).
Other famous athletes like Usain Bolt (2012), Mariano Rivera (2013), Landon Donovan (2014), Mo'ne Davis (2015), Neymar (2016), Missy Franklin (2016), and Jordan Spieth (2016).
Even celebrities like Lionel Messi (2011), Kevin Hart (2016), Gal Gadot (2017), and Chadwick Boseman (2020).

Honored Players: Retired Numbers

The Globetrotters have honored eight special players by retiring their jersey numbers. This means no one else on the team will wear that number again.

Wilt Chamberlain, the first Globetrotter to have his jersey number retired, played for the Globetrotters from 1958 to 1959.

Harlem Globetrotters retired numbers
No.	Player	Time on Team	Date Retired
13	Wilt "the Stilt" Chamberlain	1958–1959	March 9, 2000
20	Marques Haynes	1947–1953, 1972–1979	January 5, 2001
22	Fred "Curly" Neal	1963–1985	February 15, 2008
34	Charles "Tex" Harrison	1954–1972	December 26, 2017
35	Hubert "Geese" Ausbie	1961–1985	January 31, 2017
36	Meadowlark Lemon	1954–1979, 1993	January 5, 2001
41	"Sweet" Lou Dunbar	1977–present	February 15, 2019
50	Goose Tatum	1941–1943, 1945–1955	February 8, 2002

Honorary Team Members

The Globetrotters have also named several people as honorary members of their team. These are people who are recognized for their achievements or for supporting the team's values.

Ten people have been officially named honorary members:

Henry Kissinger (1976)
Bob Hope (1977)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1989)
Whoopi Goldberg (1990)
Nelson Mandela (1996)
Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1999)
Pope John Paul II (2000) – He was recognized in front of 50,000 people in Saint Peter's Square.
Jesse Jackson (2001)
Pope Francis (2015)
Robin Roberts (2015)