Legendary Harlem Globetrotter George “Meadowlark” Lemon III, 83 died on Sunday, December 27, 2015 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The basketball star entertained fans with his prowess and showmanship. He was this writer’s basketball exhibitionist hero. The touring group of basketball players are known for their skills handling of the balls, dodging and sidesteps, and humor. Arguably the most well known Harlem Globetrotter Lemon visited more than 100 countries performing for royalty, popes and presidents.
Lemon wore the number 36 on his chest for 24 seasons. Having joined the Globetrotters in 1954 after serving two years in the Army, he earned the moniker “Clown Prince.”
Lemon retired from the Globetrotters in 1979 to form his own comedic basketball teams: Meadowlark Lemon’s Bucketeers, the Shooting Stars and Meadowlark Lemon’s Harlem All Stars.
A native of Wilmington, NC, Lemon was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003, the John W. Bunn Award in 2000, named in honor of the Hall of Fame’s first executive director, recognizing outstanding lifetime contributions to basketball. He retired his number and received his Globetrotters “Legends” Ring in 2001.
He had major crossover appeal which extended to Hollywood. His IMDB acting credits include known for Meadowlark Lemon Presents the World (1979), The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh (1979) and Modern Romance (1981).
The basketball player turned ordained minister and motivational speaker spreading a message of faith with children at basketball camps and youth prisons via Meadowlark Lemon Ministries.
