Fans around the world lost a part of their basketball family, with the passing of Harlem Globetrotter legend Meadowlark Lemon. Known as the Clown Prince of Basketball, Lemon played more than 16,000 games in front of millions of fans through appearances in over 70 countries. He was one of the most recognizable Globetotters during his career from 1954 until 1978. He played 50 games for the team in 1994.
“Meadowlark used the game of basketball to bring happiness, peace and laughter to people from a variety of cultures across the globe,” said John L. Doleva, President & CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “He proved that basketball truly has no boundaries and the language of the game is spoken universally whether he was performing in front of the Pope, Presidents or children of all ages. We were proud to recognize Meadowlark as part of our Hall of Fame family and we will continue to celebrate the joy that he brought to so many people.”
Watch his Hall of Fame induction speech: