This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-35191863
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Harlem Globetrotters' Meadowlark Lemon dies at 83 | Harlem Globetrotters' Meadowlark Lemon dies at 83 |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Meadowlark Lemon, the Harlem Globetrotters player known as the "clown prince" of basketball, has died at the age of 83. | Meadowlark Lemon, the Harlem Globetrotters player known as the "clown prince" of basketball, has died at the age of 83. |
Lemon played for the side for 24 years, delighting fans with his trick shots and hijinks. | Lemon played for the side for 24 years, delighting fans with his trick shots and hijinks. |
When he was inducted into the basketball hall of fame in 2003 he said his destiny had been "to make people happy". | When he was inducted into the basketball hall of fame in 2003 he said his destiny had been "to make people happy". |
The team confirmed that he died on Sunday in Scottsdale, Arizona. | |
"He was an incredible entertainer and brought happiness and lifelong memories to millions around the world," said Globetrotters chief executive Kurt Schneider. | "He was an incredible entertainer and brought happiness and lifelong memories to millions around the world," said Globetrotters chief executive Kurt Schneider. |
"We have lost a great ambassador of the game." | "We have lost a great ambassador of the game." |
Lemon grew up in North Carolina and joined the Harlem Globetrotters in 1954. | Lemon grew up in North Carolina and joined the Harlem Globetrotters in 1954. |
He quickly became known for his hook shots from half court and no-look behind-the-back passes, but also for his showmanship. | He quickly became known for his hook shots from half court and no-look behind-the-back passes, but also for his showmanship. |
He was renowned for comedy routines such as tipping water buckets full of confetti over referees and audiences. | He was renowned for comedy routines such as tipping water buckets full of confetti over referees and audiences. |
Many of the all-black team's tours took them through the racially-torn southern US states in the 1950s. | Many of the all-black team's tours took them through the racially-torn southern US states in the 1950s. |
The Globetrotters became world famous, even playing games in Moscow during the Cold War when they met Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. | The Globetrotters became world famous, even playing games in Moscow during the Cold War when they met Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. |
In the early 1970s, the team - including Lemon - featured in a Hanna-Barbara cartoon series. | In the early 1970s, the team - including Lemon - featured in a Hanna-Barbara cartoon series. |
He left the Globetrotters in 1979 and launched several of his own basketball teams. | He left the Globetrotters in 1979 and launched several of his own basketball teams. |
In an interview with US broadcaster ABC in 2001, Lemon said the Harlem Globetrotters were never driven by money. | In an interview with US broadcaster ABC in 2001, Lemon said the Harlem Globetrotters were never driven by money. |
"We were having fun; we enjoyed what we did and I find that the young kids today, you know, they either go to college to learn to play basketball so they can make a lot of money. This wasn't with us. | "We were having fun; we enjoyed what we did and I find that the young kids today, you know, they either go to college to learn to play basketball so they can make a lot of money. This wasn't with us. |
"We enjoyed what we did. I just wanted to be out there and entertain." | "We enjoyed what we did. I just wanted to be out there and entertain." |
Previous version
1
Next version